What is Geography?
B. A. in Geography at GCSU
The world needs more humans who understand geography, because geography is critical to the solution of so many complex local, regional, and international problems. Georgia College, the state's official public liberal arts university, has as one of its four cornerstones:
Global Awareness and Diversity- a respect for human diversity and individuality and an understanding of the interdependence of the world's peoples upon one another.
The outline for the proposed Geography Major demonstrates our commitment to the National Council for Geographic Education's Geography for Life standards, which address:
In addition to implementing the major, our five-year plan calls for a continued investment in the Geography Minor program, to serve GCSU students who wish to develop their geographic and international knowledge.
The world needs more humans who understand geography, because geography is critical to the solution of so many complex local, regional, and international problems. Georgia College, the state's official public liberal arts university, has as one of its four cornerstones:
Global Awareness and Diversity- a respect for human diversity and individuality and an understanding of the interdependence of the world's peoples upon one another.
The outline for the proposed Geography Major demonstrates our commitment to the National Council for Geographic Education's Geography for Life standards, which address:
- The World in Spatial Terms
- Places and Regions
- Physical Systems
- Human Systems
- Environment and Society
- The Uses of Geography
In addition to implementing the major, our five-year plan calls for a continued investment in the Geography Minor program, to serve GCSU students who wish to develop their geographic and international knowledge.
Teaching Geography
In order to sustain a degree program in geography, our department will need to hire one or two more faculty members. The following fields are most desirable to complement our existing strengths:
Community Service
An important part of our five-year plan is the growth of our service to both GCSU campus and the greater community. Already our classes have demonstrated a commitment to local service projects, and we expect this work to grow with the creation of a degree program. Faculty and students alike can contribute in a variety of ways:
Research
The GCSU Geography program has a commitment to promoting an aggressive research agenda. We are active in several professional and academic organizations and have a rich history of publication and grants. Our five-year plan calls for these specific projects to be developed further:
In order to sustain a degree program in geography, our department will need to hire one or two more faculty members. The following fields are most desirable to complement our existing strengths:
- Cultural Geography
- Economic Geography
- Urban Geography
- Geography of Development
- Geographic Information Science
- Regional Specialties in Asia and Africa
- GEOG 3100: Research Methods in Geography
- GEOG 4220: Economic Geography
- GEOG 4230: Urban Geography
- GEOG 4500: Comparative Regional Geography
Community Service
An important part of our five-year plan is the growth of our service to both GCSU campus and the greater community. Already our classes have demonstrated a commitment to local service projects, and we expect this work to grow with the creation of a degree program. Faculty and students alike can contribute in a variety of ways:
Research
The GCSU Geography program has a commitment to promoting an aggressive research agenda. We are active in several professional and academic organizations and have a rich history of publication and grants. Our five-year plan calls for these specific projects to be developed further:
Geographic Resources at Georgia College
• Academic Catalog
• Academic Engagement
• GC Study Abroad
• GC ENGAGE
• Human Geography
• Physical Geography
• Geographic Education
• Geographic Research
• Geographic Information Science
• Jobs in Geography
Geography Faculty at Georgia College
Dr. Chuck Fahrer, Ph. D. University of South Carolina, 2001
Dr. Doug Oetter, Ph. D. Oregon State University, 2002
Dr. Mark Rochelo, Ph. D. Florida Atlantic University, 2015
Dr. Amy Sumpter, Ph. D. Louisiana State University, 2008
Guest Faculty:
Dr. Christine M. Mutiti, Ph. D. Miami University of Ohio, 2010
Dept. of Biological and Environmental Sciences
Important Geography Resources
American Geographic Society
Association of American Geographers
Georgia Geographic Alliance
National Council for Geographic Education
Southeastern Division of AAG
Geography Resources on the Internet
My Wonderful World
The National Map
PhDs.org Rankings for Geography Graduate Programs
The School for Field Studies
Geography Departments at:
Georgia Southern University
Georgia State University
Kennesaw State University
University of Georgia
University of West Georgia
The Geographic Research Commons provides an important component of both student education and community service. Students and faculty are involved in solving critical local problems while working to develop their geospatial skills and knowledge. The depth and range of these projects demonstrates the value of the GC geography program to the local region and beyond.
While undergraduate education remains the cornerstone of the GC geography program, an active research agenda is essential to the mission of our university and our department. Research is the foundation of the academic world, and our faculty and students are actively engaged in research as a means of instruction and advancement.
