John C. Dixon, Chairman of the Department, 108A Ozark Hall, 575-3159
PROFESSORS HEHR, SMITH; PROFESSORS EMERITI MAXFIELD, SCOTT; ADJUNCT PROFESSOR LIMP; ASSOCIATE PROFESSORS CLEAVELAND, DIXON, GRAFF, STAHLE; ASSISTANT PROFESSOR DAVIDSON
Degree Conferred: M.A. (GEOG)
Prerequisite to Degree Program: It is not necessary to have had an undergraduate major in geography in order to pursue graduate work. However, it is expected that the student entering upon the graduate program will present evidence of training in: 1) the fundamentals of the physical setting of the earth; 2) the basic relationships between humans and their environment; 3) a survey of world regions; 4) the geographic analysis of economic activities; 5) cartography as a tool and technique. Deficiencies in these areas will have to be removed by taking specific courses either as audit or for undergraduate credit. It is hoped that the student will have taken courses in closely related fields.
Requirements for the Master of Arts Degree: The graduate program is planned to be both terminal for those who do not expect to do further graduate work and preparatory for those expecting to continue toward the doctorate. In either case, students earning the M.A. degree are still broadening and deepening their understanding of the field and are not expected to become specialists at this stage in their graduate program. Evidence of a special interest is usually reflected in individual study and research and in the choice of thesis topic. The requirement for the Master of Arts degree include a minimum of 24 semester hours of course work in geography and closely related fields, and a thesis (six semester hours) embodying the results of independent research in geography. GEOG 5003, 5093, and 5333 are required and students are expected to present a balance between regional and topical courses. The thesis is waived only in exceptional instances and after careful consideration by the Department, in which case 12 additional semester hours of course work are required. Depending upon the undergraduate backgrounds, both in geography and related disciplines, individual programs will vary. Graduate students are required to attend special lectures, to participate in field trips, and to cooperate in other professional ventures as announced. Student membership in the AAG and/or the NCGE is considered important.
Courses: Geography (GEOG)
4003 Geography of Monsoon Asia (Irregular) Resources, land use, and strategic significance of the Indian Peninsula, China, and Japan. Prerequisite: junior standing.
4013 Latin America (Irregular) Geography of South America, Mexico, Central America, and the Caribbean Islands.
4033 Geography of the Middle East (Irregular) Natural setting, resources, human use, and current problems of the North African countries bordering the Mediterranean Sea, and of the lands of Southwest Asia west of Pakistan. Prerequisite: junior standing.
4043 Geography of the South (Sp, Odd years) Geographic analysis of the American South, with emphasis on the dynamic character of Southern development. Designed to provide an understanding of the present-day South and its potentialities. Prerequisite: junior standing.
4063 Urban Geography (Sp) Areal patterns of modern urban regions and the focus shaping these patterns. Emphasis is placed on American urban areas and their evolution and functional areas. Field work. Prerequisite: junior standing.
4073 Geography of Transportation (Sp, Odd years) The patterns of transportation and the geographic factors that have established them. The relationship of transportation media and patterns to settlement is emphasized. Prerequisite: junior standing.
4093 Geography of Arkansas (Fa) Natural resources of the state, its leading occupations, and its geographic regions. Prerequisite: junior standing.
4203 Historical Geography of the United States (Fa, Even years) Geography of the United States in past times with special attention to the westward movement. Factors of settlement and emphasis upon changing environmental interrelationships. Prerequisite: junior standing.
4243 Political Geography (Fa, Odd years) Contemporary world political problems in their geographic context. Development of the principles of political geography with emphasis upon the problems of Eastern Europe, Africa, and Southeast Asia. Prerequisite: junior standing.
4273 Recreational Geography (Fa) Examination of the social scientific factors influencing patterns of utilization of recreational resources. Emphasis is placed on U.S. recreational patterns. Prerequisite: junior standing.
4353 Elements of Weather (Fa) Examination of the atmospheric processes that result in multifarious weather systems. Offered as physical science. Prerequisite: junior standing.
4363 Climatology (Sp) Fundamentals of topical climatology followed by a study of regional climatology. Offered as physical science. Prerequisite: GEOG 1003 and/or 4353 or consent.
4373 Tree-Ring Applications to Environmental Research (Irregular) Basis for dendrochronology and its applications to the fields of archeology, ecology, climatology, and geology worldwide. Prerequisite: consent.
4380L Principles of Landscape Evolution Lab
4384 Principles of Landscape Evolution (Fa) Examines the role of waves, rivers, wind, and tectonism in shaping and modifying the surface of the earth. Considers the way in which an understanding of landscape processes is essential to the effective solution of environmental problems. Lecture 3 hours, laboratory 2 hours per week.
4503 Aerial Photograph Interpretation (Fa) Introduction to principles of aerial photograph interpretation, interpretation of landforms, settlement patterns, urban structure, soil and vegetation distribution. Application of basic aerial photo imagery to geography and landscape architecture. Prerequisite: junior standing; GEOG 1003 or GEOL 1113/1111L or consent.
4513 Topographic Map Analysis (Fa) Development of basic map reading skills. Interpretation of landform and culture features. Prerequisite: junior standing; GEOG 1003 or GEOL 1113/1111L or consent.
4523 Computer Mapping (Sp) This course addresses advanced cartographic concepts especially as they relate to computer-assisted mapping. Students produce a variety of maps using Microstation CAD program and other computer mapping programs.
4533 Research Seminar in Cartography (Sp, Odd years) Gives students a closely supervised experience in conducting cartographic research and writing for professional journals. Students select a research problem, prepare a proposal (background and methodology), and collect and analyze data. The final research paper is prepared in a format appropriate for submission to a professional cartographic journal. Prerequisite: GEOG 3023 or consent.
4543 Geographic Information Systems (Sp) Computer-assisted analysis and display of geographical resource data. Course develops the theory behind spatial data analysis techniques, and reinforces the theory with exercises that demonstrate its practical applications. Prior experience with computers and/or completion of GEOG 4523 (Computer Mapping) is useful but not prerequisite. (Same as ANTH 4543.)
4553 GIS for Natural Sciences Introduction to spatial analyses in the natural sciences and resource management fields using geographic information systems (GIS). Lectures focus on development of principles, paralleled by workstation-based laboratory exercises using raster-based software, relational data bases, and exploratory data analysis. (Same as ANTH 4553.) Prerequisite: GEOG 3023 or 4543.
4563 GIS for Social Sciences Introduction to geographic information systems (GIS) applications in marketing, transportation, real estate, demographics, urban and regional planning, and related areas. Lectures focus on development of principles, paralleled by workstation-based laboratory exercises using Arc-node based software and relational data bases. (Same as ANTH 4563.) Prerequisite: GEOG 3023 or 4543.
4573 Introduction to GRASS Applications in GIS An introduction to geographic information systems (GIS) problem solving using the Geographic Resource Analysis Support System (GRASS) software. (Same as ANTH 4573.)
4593 Introduction to Global Positioning Systems Introduction to navigation, georeferencing, and digital data collection using GPS receivers, data loggers, ans laser technology for natural science and resource management. Components of NavStar Global Positioning System are used in integration of digital information into various GIS platforms with emphasis on applications. (Same as ANTH 4593.)
4723 Australia and the Pacific Islands (Irregular) Natural setting, resources, and human use of these areas and the significance of their world position. Prerequisite: junior standing.
4753 Geography of the United States and Canada (Irregular) The geographic regions of Anglo-America. Prerequisite: junior standing.
4763 Geography of Africa (Irregular) Survey of the physical nature, the economic resources, and the human potential of Africa south of the Sahara, examining those problems rising from the abandonment of European colonial authority in Africa and of the assumption of political, economic, and social power by native African leadership. Prerequisite: junior standing.
4773 Geography of Russia and Successor States (Irregular) Natural resources, regions, and peoples of Russia and the successor states after the breakup of the Soviet Union. Prerequisite: junior standing.
4783 Geography of Europe (Irregular) Geographic regions of the area with emphasis on their present development. Prerequisite: junior standing.
4793 Geographic Concepts for Global Studies (Su) Application of geographic concepts and perspectives for analyzing global relationships. Developing and developed nations as well as geographic themes of current importance will be examined. Prerequisite: junior standing.
4863 Quantitative Techniques in Geography An introduction to the application of standard quantitative and spatial statistical techniques to geographical analysis. Students will use both micro and large system computers in the course. Prerequisite: STAT 4003/4001L or equivalent.
5003 Seminar in Geography (Irregular) Selected topics, the nature of which varies with the need. Prerequisite: graduate standing or consent.
5011 Colloquium (Sp) Weekly meetings of faculty, graduates, advanced students and guests to discuss research and trends in the field of geography. May be repeated for a maximum of 2 hours of credit toward a degree. Prerequisite: consent.
5021 Field Trip (Irregular) Participation in a major supervised field experience, involving pre-trip orientation, observation and analysis, and report writing. May be repeated for a maximum of 2 hours of credit toward degree. Prerequisite: consent.
5023 Advanced Human Geography Deals with the concepts of spatial behavior and with the scientific approach to human geography.
5050L Quaternary Environments Lab
5053 Quaternary Environments (Fa) An interdisciplinary study of the Quaternary Period, including dating methods, deposits, soils, climates, tectonics, and human adaptation. Lecture 2 hours per week, lab 2 hours per week. (Same as ANTH 5053 and GEOL 5053.) Prerequisite GEOG 1003 or consent.
5093 History of Geography (Sp, Even years) Chronological development of the science; leaders in the field of geography; and the evolution of the major concepts of geography. Prerequisite: graduate standing or consent.
510V Special Problems in Physical Geography (1-6) Prerequisite: graduate standing.
520V Special Problems in Human Geography (1-6) Prerequisite: graduate standing.
530V Special Problems in Regional Geography (1-6) Prerequisite: graduate standing.
5333 Research Methods and Materials in Geography (Fa, Odd years) Geographical research and the preparation of research papers. Prerequisite: graduate standing or consent.
600V Master's Thesis (1-6) Prerequisite: graduate standing.
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