The department offers courses which are slashlisted so undergraduate students may take an undergraduate 4000-level course while graduate students may take a 5000-level course. The lectures in a slashlisted course are the same. However, students in the 5000-level course have substantial additional requirements beyond those for students in the 4000-level course. These additional requirements are listed in the slashlisted course syllabus.
1103 Human Geography. An introduction to the humanized Earth; specifically, to the geography of population, the global pattern of cultures and such affiliated elements as language, religion, technology, and political organization, and to the physical expression of those cultures in rural and urban settings. (F, Sp, Su) [IV-WC]
1113 The Language of Maps. How to read, analyze and interpret graphic information symbolized on a wide variety of maps. Topics include: scale, location, distance and direction, navigation, interpreting human and physical landscapes, map propaganda, maps in the media and comparisons of maps in western and non-western societies. [I-O]
1114 Physical Geography. A systematic introduction to the physical Earth; including Earth materials, landform processes and resultant landforms, Earth-sun relations, weather, climate, the water cycle, natural vegetation, and soil types. Emphasis is placed on the inter-relationships among these phenomena. (F, Sp, Su) [II-LAB]
1213 Economic Geography. A survey of the contemporary global economy and of the analytical approaches developed by geographers studying it. Economic systems are examined at the household, urban, regional, national, and international levels. Special attention is given to changes in resource use, regional specialization, trade, industrial and retail location, and modernization. (F, Sp) [III-SS]
2453 Introduction to Computer Mapping and Analysis. An introductory survey of computer applications in mapping and map analysis. Designed to provide fundamental concepts and techniques necessary for visual presentation, analysis, and interpretation of geographic data using desktop mapping technologies. The course covers the nature of geographic data, desktop mapping, and map analysis. (F)
2603 World Regional Geography. A broad survey of the world's major culture regions emphasizing basic physical, cultural, economic, and political patterns, as well as the processes that have created those patterns. Emphasis on economic development, ethnic conflict, and environmental degradation, as well as on the changing role of the United States. (F, Sp, Su) [IV-WC]
3001 Dialogue on the Discipline of Geography. Prerequisite: 1103, 1114 and 1213; or permission of instructor. Introduction to the discipline of geography, nature of geographical research and the interests and ideas of departmental faculty and students.
3003 Interpreting Geography. Prerequisite: junior standing or permission of instructor. A one-semester course that will integrate both human and physical geography using conventional and technical applications through content lecture and pedagogy. Contact and understanding of the nature of the many facets of geography and geographic thinking will be accomplished through discussion, group work, project, case and various field-based activities. (Sp) [III-SS]
3023 Principles of Physical Geography. Prerequisite: Upper division standing or permission of instructor. Provides a foundation in physical geography. Students should gain a broad, comprehensive but focused viewpoint if lithospheric, biospheric and atmospheric processes as well as the interdependence among them. (Sp)
3203 Globalization and the Environment. Prerequisite: junior standing or permission of instructor. Explores the complex assemblage of economic, political, and cultural processes popularly known as "globalization" and examines their implications for resource use and the environment. A central objective is to facilitate critical thinking on global environmental issues and enable students to challenge the increasingly polarized rhetoric concerning economic growth and the environment. (Irreg.)
3213 Principles of Human Geography. Prerequisite: Upper division standing or permission of instructor. Introduction to the distribution of humans and their activities on the surface of the earth and the processes that generate these distributions. Special attention given to the influence of economy, culture, and politics in shaping the land and the spatial character and organization of human life. A key theme is the relationship of human diversity and places to the environment. (F)
3223 The British Empire and Its Successor States. Prerequisite: junior standing or consent of instructor. An examination of the relationship between ruler and ruled in the parts of Africa and Asia ruled by the British in the 19 th and 20 th centuries. Particular attention to the writings of the colonized peoples and to the lasting influence of colonialism upon them. (F) [IV-NW]
3243 Principles of Economic Geography. Prerequisite: upper division standing or permission of instructor. An examination of the distribution of economic activities and the processes that generate them. Special attention is given to principles of economic location and their application to patterns of production, consumption, and exchange. Students will learn the theories and methods used by geographers in studying economic activities from the local to the global scale. (Sp)
3253 Environmental Conservation. Contemporary environmental issues and policies. Problems of population growth, food production, energy shortages, resource depletion and pollution impacts will be stressed. The social aspects of conservation management policies will be viewed at both global and national scales. (F) [III-SS]
3273 Cultural Geographies of the Colonial Caribbean. Prerequisite: junior standing or consent of instructor. Introduces students to the many ways that Africans, Amerindians, and Europeans established relationships with their environments and one another throughout the Caribbean basin in the early modern period, roughly 1500-1800. (Irreg.)
3353 Introduction to Cartography. A basic survey of maps: their properties, conception and design, construction, compilation and editing, production, and use, with exercises in mapmaking. (F)
3513 Political Geography. A survey, stressing current geopolitical conflicts. Special topics include the nation-state, territoriality, the legacies of colonialism, spheres of political influence, regional conflicts, political-geographical integration in such areas as Europe and the Pacific Rim, demographic and resource considerations in world politics, and emerging culturally based conflicts. (F, Sp) [IV-WC]
3563 Geography of Natural Resources. Definition and evaluation of mineral, agricultural, forest, and water resources, including their variation over time, between cultures, and as affected by technological innovation. Emphasis is placed on the distribution, technologies, institutions, and landscapes of natural resources in modern economies. (F, Sp)
3613 Geography of Oklahoma. A study of the physical regions, populations, distribution, economic development and recreational resources of Oklahoma. (Irreg.)
†G3633 Historical Geography of the United States . America's changing geography is considered under three headings: the Colonial Pattern, the Humid East, and the Dry West. Special attention is given to those human activities that have shaped successive cultural landscapes and to those patterns that persist to give present day regions their distinctive character. (F, Sp) [IV-WC]
3773 Geography of the United States. Prerequisite: junior standing or permission of instructor. An introduction to the regional character of the United States, including its physical, social, and economic elements. (Irreg.)
3890 Selected Studies in Geography. 1 to 3 hours. Prerequisite: permission of instructor. May be repeated with change of subject matter; maximum credit nine hours. To be used for special intersession courses and occasional (irregularly scheduled) courses of special concern and use for the undergraduate. (F, Sp)
†G3924 Analytic Methods in Geography. Prerequisite: Mathematics 0123 or satisfactory score on Math placement test. Introduces students to methods of organizing, classifying and describing geographic data, together with methods of interpreting spatial relationships and areal associations. Laboratory (F)
3930 Field Techniques for Geographers. 1 to 4 hours. Prerequisite: 12 hours of geography or permission of instructor. May be repeated with change of subject matter; maximum credit six hours. Basic methods of data acquisition: surveying, measuring, sampling, sketching, and mapping. Individual and group projects may be required. (Irreg.)
3933 Interpretation of Aerial Photographs. Prerequisite: 1114 or permission. An introduction to the photographic inventory of physical and cultural land resources including current processes of change, and to the use of aerial photographs in evaluating present land use, potential alternatives, and associated risks. (Irreg.)
3960 Honors Reading. 1 to 3 hours. Prerequisite: admission to Honors Program. May be repeated; maximum credit six hours. Consists of topics designated by the instructor in keeping with the student's major program. Covers materials not usually presented in the regular courses. (F, Su)
3970 Honors Seminar. 1 to 3 hours. Prerequisite: admission to Honors Program. May be repeated; maximum credit six hours. The projects covered will vary. Deals with concepts not usually presented in regular coursework.
3980 Honors Research. 1 to 3 hours. Prerequisite: admission to Honors Program. May be repeated; maximum credit six hours. Provides an opportunity for the gifted honors candidate to work at a special project in the student's field. (F, Sp, Su)
4003 The Global City and Planning Issues (Crosslisted with Regional and City Planning 4003; Slashlisted with 5003). Prerequisite: English 1213 and junior standing. An introduction to the concept of globalization and its effects on cities, and the city planning issues related to those effects. Characteristics, theories, and strategies of city development are reviewed. Cities are observed from several perspectives: natural and built environment, governance, society, economics, and history. No student may earn credit for both 4003 and 5003. (Sp)
4133 Fundamentals of Remote Sensing. Prerequisite: junior standing or permission of instructor. An introduction to the theory and interpretation of remote sensing imagery, with emphasis on photographic, multi-spectral, thermal, and microwave remote sensing systems. Imagery from aircraft, satellite and low-altitude platforms will be used to illustrate geographic and environmental applications of remote sensing. Introduction to preprocessing (DIP). (F)
G4200 Internship in Geography. 1 to 6 hours. Prerequisite: sixteen hours of geography and senior standing. Provides career training experience whereby students may apply geographical skills and develop further professional capabilities in a realistic setting. Students will be assigned to particular business firms, governmental agencies and educational institutions on an individual basis. (F, Sp, Su)
G4203 Geomorphology. Prerequisite: 1114, or comparable work in earth sciences, junior standing. Development and modification of land-surface form by atmospheric, fluvial, glacial, mass-wasting, volcanic and tectonic agents. Emphasis is placed on spatial aspects of the interactions at the interfaces of land, air and water. (Irreg.)
4233 Digital Imaging Processing (slashlisted with 5233). Prerequisite: 4133/5133 or permission of instructor. Theory and techniques for computer processing (DIP) of digital earth resources satellite imagery and incorporation into geographic information systems. (Sp)
4243 Geography of Asia. Prerequisite: junior standing or permission of instructor. A survey of the Middle East and central, south, southeast and east Asia. The course includes overviews of the continent's physical, social, and economic characteristics, but it treats primarily of the evolution of Asia's contemporary cultural landscapes as an expression of Asian cultures. (Sp) [IV-NW]
4253 Latin America Geography. Prerequisite: junior standing or permission of instructor. An exploration of the ways in which natural, cultural, and historical processes have combined to shape a unique region of the world. Special emphasis will be placed on the legacies of colonialism, cultural landscapes, social movements, and environmental degradation and resource conservation. (Sp) [IV-WC]
4263 Geography of Latin America through Film. Prerequisite: junior standing or permission of instructor. An advanced undergraduate course designed to introduce students to the various themes shaping the historical and cultural geography of Latin America. Weekly films illustrate exploration and conquest, indigenous encounters, slavery and Africans, colonial society, liberalism, environmental change, urbanization, revolution and issues in contemporary social geography. (F)
G4273 Regional Climatology. Prerequisite: junior or senior standing; or permission of instructor. Investigates the nature of the Earth's climate and presents a synthesis of contemporary scientific ideas about atmospheric circulation. Topics include radiation, the hydrologic cycle, general circulation, local and regional climates, and global climate change. Specific attention is focused on the climatic water budget, its utility in evaluating local and regional climates, the emerging role of climate models, and issues in global climate change. (Irreg.) [II-NL]
4283 Biogeography (Slashlisted with 5283). Prerequisite: 1114 and junior standing. A survey of spatial patterns and processes in plant populations, plant communities, and vegetated landscapes. Emphasis is placed on the contemporary patterns of species and communities as determined by a combination of factors including physiography, climate, human influences, evolution, and dispersal. Field and laboratory techniques used in biogeographic research are also discussed. No student may earn credit for both 4283 and 5283. (Alt. Sp)
4293 Hydrologic Science (Slashlisted with 5293). Prerequisite: Math 1823 and either Physics 2414, 2514 or Chemistry 1315. Study of the processes which control the storage and movement of water at global, regional, and local scales. The emphasis is on the land portion of the hydrologic cycle, and includes the study of processes such as infiltration, soil water flow in the saturated and unsaturated zone, rainfall/runoff and evaporation. Lab sections include exercises on a computer in the field and in a soils lab. No student may earn credit for both 4293 and 5293. (Sp)
4343 Climate, History, and Society (Slashlisted with 5343). Prerequisite: junior standing or permission of instructor. This course is an overview of the mutual interactions of climate and human activities, and examines historical examples of significant climatic impacts. The course includes investigation of the nature of earth’s climate and a synthesis of contemporary scientific ideas about the climate and its environmental and societal impacts. No student may earn credit for both 4343 and 5343. (Irreg.)
4353 Introduction to Geospatial Information Technologies. Prerequisite: junior standing or permission of instructor. Overview of theories, applications, and practices of modern geospatial information technologies, including global positioning systems (GPS), remote sensing (RS), and geographic information systems (GIS). Course includes lectures, discussions, interactive and hands-on computer exercises, field projects, and site visits to OU research centers, local governments, and private geospatial information technologies companies. (Su)
4433 Cultural and Political Ecology. Prerequisite: junior standing or permission of instructor. An introduction to the political, economic, and cultural factors that shape human-environmental relations among peasant and indigenous societies around the world. Special attention is placed on how people negotiate decisions about resource use within value and belief systems that vary in response to changing social and environmental contexts. (Sp) [III-SS]
4443 Urban Ecology (Slashlisted with 5443). Prerequisite: junior standing and permission of instructor. An interdisciplinary course that examines how cities acquire, utilize, and modify environmental inputs such as land, water, and energy, and in the process generate a complex set of waste streams and environmental impacts such as solid wastes, atmospheric emissions, and habitat modification. No student may earn credit for both 4443 and 5443. (Irreg.)
4453 Geographic Information Systems (Slashlisted with 5453). Prerequisite: junior standing or permission of instructor. An introduction to the nature and applications of geographic information systems (GIS) including the categories of geographic data, data input, data models, spatial analysis, output, and the uses of GIS in socio-economic and environmental studies. No student may receive credit for both 4453 and 5453. (F, Sp)
4553 GIS Applications (Slashlisted with 5553). Prerequisite: 4453. Emphasizes technical and application practices in geographic information systems (GIS). Through weekly exercises and two projects, students will gain experience with applications and utilities of Geographic Information Systems, and learn how to plan and implement a GIS project. No student may earn credit for both 4553 and 5553. Laboratory (Irreg.)
4563 American Indian Geographies. Prerequisite: upper-division standing. A survey of the geographical knowledge among Indians in North America. Historical and contemporary topics are covered in a cross-cultural perspective including land use, environmental perception, concepts of space and place, symbolic landscapes, sacred land, and the idea of resources. (Sp) [IV-NW]
4573 Indigenous Peoples and Resources . Prerequisite: junior or senior standing or permission of instructor. A global survey of the role natural resources play in contemporary conflicts among indigenous peoples, neocolonial states and corporations, and non-governmental organizations (NGOs). The integrative-humanistic approach emphasizes understanding the ethical, cultural, economic, and ecological issues at stake in individual case studies set in a global context. Possible solutions to these conflicts are examined. (F) [IV-WC]
4953 Proseminar in Geography. Prerequisite: 1103, 1114, 1213, 3213, 3353, 3924, and an upper-division physical geography course; 3353 and 3924 may be taken concurrently with permission of instructor. History and character of the discipline of geography, with particular attention to changing themes, debates, and methods, the discipline's relations with its neighbors, and current trends in the discipline. (Sp) [V]
4990 Independent Study. 1 to 3 hours. Prerequisite: three courses in general area to be studied; permission of instructor and department. May be repeated; maximum credit six hours. Contracted independent study for topics not currently offered in regularly scheduled courses. Independent study may include library and/or laboratory research and field projects. (F, Sp, Su)
Unless otherwise noted, the prerequisite for courses in geography numbered 5000-5999 is 12 hours of geography or, in the case of students not majoring in geography, permission.
G5003 The Global City and Planning Issues (Crosslisted with Regional and City Planning 5003; Slashlisted with 4003). Prerequisite: graduate standing. An introduction to the concept of globalization and its effects on cities, and the city planning issues related to those effects. Characteristics, theories, and strategies of city development are reviewed. Cities are observed from several perspectives: natural and built environment, governance, society, economics, and history. No student may earn credit for both 4003 and 5003. (Sp)
G5113 Quantitative Methods in Geographical Research. Prerequisite: 3923 or permission of instructor. An introduction for graduate majors in geography and those in allied fields to research design and problem-solving research techniques. (F, Sp)
G5133 Fundamentals of Remote Sensing (slashlisted with 4133). Prerequisite: graduate standing or permission of instructor. An introduction to the theory and interpretation of remote sensing imagery, with emphasis on photographic, multi-spectral, thermal, and microwave remote sensing systems. Imagery from aircraft, satellite and low-altitude platforms will be used to illustrate geographic and environmental applications of remote sensing. Introduction to preprocessing (DIP). No student may earn credit for both 4133 and 5133. (F)
G5213 Principles and Practice of Urban Planning (Crosslisted with Regional and City Planning 5213). Prerequisite: open to seniors in social science departments, architecture and civil engineering and to graduate students in regional and city planning. A lecture course which examines the physical, social, economic and public interest determinants of land use; the economic population and land use studies required to provide the basis for planning; space and location requirements and design characteristics for residential, commercial, industrial and public uses of land; and the study of urban traffic as a function of land use in terms of structure and systems of movement. (F, Su)
G5233 Digital Image Processing (Slashlisted with 4233). Prerequisite: 4133/5133 or permission of instructor. Theory and techniques for computer processing (DIP) of digital earth resources satellite imagery and incorporation into geographic information systems. No student may earn credit forboth 4233 and 5233. (Sp)
G5283 Biogeography (Slashlisted with 4283). Prerequisite: 1114 and junior standing. A survey of spatial patterns and processes in plant populations, plant communities, and vegetated landscapes. Emphasis is placed on the contemporary patterns of species and communities as determined by a combination of factors including physiography, climate, human influences, evolution, and dispersal. Field and laboratory techniques used in biogeographic research are also discussed. No student may earn credit for both 4283 and 5283. (Alt. Sp)
G5293 Hydrologic Science (Slashlisted with 4293). Prerequisite: Math 1823 and either Physics 2414, 2514 or Chemistry 1315, or the equivalents and graduate standing. Study of the processes which control the storage and movement of water at global, regional, and local scales. The emphasis is on the land portion of the hydrologic cycle, and includes the study of processes such as infiltration, soil water flow in the saturated and unsaturated zone, rainfall/runoff and evaporation. Lab sections include exercises on a computer in the field and in a soils lab. No student may earn credit for both 4293 and 5293. (Sp)
G5343 Climate, History, and Society (Slashlisted with 4343). Prerequisite: graduate standing or permission of instructor. This course is an overview of the mutual interactions of climate and human activities, and examines historical examples of significant climatic impacts. The course includes investigation of the nature of earth's climate and a synthesis of contemporary scientific ideas about the climate and its environmental and societal impacts. No student may earn credit for both 4343 and 5343. (Irreg.)
G5353 Advanced Cartography (Slashlisted with 4353). Prerequisite: 3353 or permission of instructor. Training in using state-of-the-art hardware and software for computer mapping systems in digital cartographic data structures, in cartographic modeling, and in map production in computer environments. No student may earn credit for both 4353 and 5353. (Sp)
G5443 Urban Ecology (Slashlisted with 4443). Prerequisite: graduate standing and permission of instructor. An interdisciplinary course that examines how cities acquire, utilize, and modify environmental inputs such as land, water, and energy, and in the process generate a complex set of waste streams and environmental impacts such as solid wastes, atmospheric emissions, and habitat modification. No student may earn credit for both 4443 and 5443. (Irreg.)
G5453 Geographic Information Systems (Slash-listed with 4453). Prerequisite: 3353 or permission of instructor. An introduction to the nature and applications of geographic information systems (GIS) including the categories of geographic data, data input, data models, spatial analysis, output, and the uses of GIS in socio-economic and environmental studies. No student may receive credit for both 4453 and 5453. (F, Sp)
G5543 Advanced Digital Analysis of Remotely Sensed Data. Prerequisite: 4133/5133 and 4233/5233. Advanced course in remote sensing, including RS and GIS applications/modeling; a brief overview of spatial techniques; and an independent research project. (Irreg.)
G5553 GIS Applications (Slashlisted with 4553). Prerequisite: 5453 or equivalent, or permission of instructor. Emphasizes technical and application practices in geographic information systems (GIS). Through weekly exercises and two projects, students will gain experience with applications and utilities of Geographic Information Systems, and learn how to plan and implement a GIS project. No student may earn credit for both 4553 and 5553. Laboratory (Irreg.)
G5610 Field Studies in Regional Geography. 1 to 4 hours. Prerequisite: eight hours of geography (or three hours of geography and eight hours in one, or 12 hours in two, of anthropology, economics, political science, history, sociology, geology and permission). May be repeated; maximum credit 12 hours. Written reports based on lectures, observations, field notes, interviews and library research are required of each student. (Irreg.)
G5623 Seminar in GIS Design. Prerequisite: 4553 or 5553. May be repeated with change of content; maximum credit nine hours. Discusses and practices principles in GIS interface design and project management; integration of spatial data and spatial models with GIS; and spatial decision support systems (SDSS). Students will gain knowledge about the theoretical aspects of GIS technology. (Sp)
G5980 Research for Master's Thesis. Variable enrollment, two to nine hours; maximum credit applicable toward degree, four hours. Laboratory (F, Sp, Su)
G5990 Selected Studies in Geography. 1 to 4 hours. Prerequisite: teacher's certificate or bachelor's degree and permission. May be repeated with change of subject matter; maximum credit eight hours. Designed to afford either an intensive study of a systematic field or an extensive coverage of broad problem topics in geography. (F, Sp, Su)
The following seminars are offered on an irregular basis depending on availability of faculty resources and demand.
G6210 Seminar in Physical Geography. 1 to 3 hours. Prerequisite: 12 hours of geography or permission. May be repeated with change of subject matter; maximum credit 15 hours. Directed individual research studies in one of the major divisions of physical geography, such as landform analysis, climatology, the geography of soils, water resources or biogeography. Provides training in oral, written and cartographic presentation. (Irreg.)
Sec. 1—Geomorphology
Sec. 2—Climatology
Sec. 3—Soils
Sec. 4—Hydrology
Sec.
5—Biogeography
Sec. 6—Human Impacts on Physical Environment
G6220 Seminar in Human Geography. 1 to 3 hours. Prerequisite: twelve hours of geography or permission. May be repeated with change of subject matter; maximum credit fifteen hours. Directed studies in one of the major divisions of human geography. (Irreg.)
Sec. 1—Urban Geography
Sec. 2—Settlement Patterns
Sec. 3—Historical Geography
Sec. 4—Cultural Ecology
Sec. 5—Cultural Geography
Sec. 6—Economic Development
Sec. 7—Political Geography
Sec. 8—Social Geography
Sec. 9—Regional Geography
Sec. 10—Political Ecology
G6230 Seminar in Economic Geography. 1 to 3 hours. Prerequisite: 12 hours of geography or permission. May be repeated with change of subject matter; maximum credit 15 hours. Directed studies in one of the major divisions of economic geography. (Irreg.)
G6240 Seminar in Resource and Environmental Geography. 1 to 3 hours. Prerequisite: 12 hours of geography or permission. May be repeated with change of subject matter; maximum credit 15 hours. Directed individual research studies in one of the major aspects of resource or environmental geography. Provides training in collection and analysis of data in oral, written and cartographic presentation. (Irreg.)
Sec. 1—Environmental Geography
Sec. 2—Natural Resources
Sec. 3—Water Resources
Sec. 4—Land Use
Sec. 5—Energy Resources
Sec. 6—Mineral Resources
Sec. 7—Applied Climatology
G6950 Research Problems in Geography. 1 to 6 hours. Prerequisite: graduate standing in geography, permission. May be repeated with change of subject matter; maximum credit 15 hours. Advanced independent research on any systematic or regional topic within the scope of geography appropriate to the library facilities or field study opportunities available to the student. (F, Sp, Su)
G6953 Research Methods in Geography. Prerequisite: admission to master's or doctoral degree program in geography. An intensive introduction to the definition of research problems in geography, to the range of methods available for analysis, and to the presentation of research results. Students will formulate a research proposal that includes problem identification, recommendation and justification of methods for analysis, and preparation of a critical literature review. (Sp)
G6973 Contemporary Geographic Thought. A survey of research philosophies and directions in American geography since World War II. An introduction to the geographical teaching and research interests at the University of Oklahoma. (F)
G6980 Research for Doctor's Dissertation. (F, Sp, Su)
Updated: April 6, 2008