Liberal Arts
introduction |
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Academic Programs / Liberal Arts
Geography & Urban Studies
Sanjoy Chakravorty, Chair
309 Gladfelter Hall
215-204-1434
sanjoy.chakravorty@temple.edu
Benjamin Kohl, Undergraduate Advisor
321 Gladfelter Hall
215-204-1430
bkohl@temple.edu
309 Gladfelter Hall
215-204–1248
www.temple.edu/gus
The Department of Geography and Urban Studies combines the discipline of geography and the field of urban studies to offer a major that allows students to examine a range of approaches to key topics in the social sciences. Students choose from introductory courses and supplement them with a variety of intermediate and upper-level electives.
Students may choose courses that focus either on geography or urban studies or combine the two. Students examine the growth and development of cities and regions, environment and society, spatial analysis and industrial location, and the major distributions of physical and natural phenomena across the globe. Students may also choose to explore the social, political, economic, and historic aspects of urban life, including international comparisons of urban society and the policies that governments have devised to address urban problems. We encourage students to combine spatial and urban courses as well as take advantage of offerings in cartography and geographic information systems (GIS). We encourage students to study abroad for one semester as a critical part of their undergraduate education. Each student's program is developed with the departmental advisor to suit individual interests and is designed to maximize educational and career opportunities. Upon graduation, alumni successfully pursue graduate studies in a range of fields, or find work in nonprofit (domestic and international), planning or government agencies.
Requirements for the Major
Department |
Course # |
Course Name |
Hours |
RCI |
Select one of the following courses with a Geography focus: |
3 |
|
GUS
GUS
GUS |
1051
1031
0866* |
Environment and Society
or
Geography of World Affairs
or
World Affairs |
|
IN
IS
GG |
|
|
|
|
|
Select one of the following courses with an Urban Studies focus: |
3 |
|
GUS
GUS
GUS |
1021
1025
0861* |
Urban Society: Race, Class & Community
or
World Urban Patterns
or
Urban Dynamics |
|
RN
IS
GU |
|
|
|
|
|
GUS |
3161 |
Statistics for Urban and Spatial Analysis
or
Another appropriate statistics course with written
approval of the faculty advisor |
3 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Select two of the following seven Intermediate courses: |
6 |
|
GUS
GUS
GUS
GUS
GUS
GUS
GUS
|
2014
2031
2032
2051
3061
3062
3097
|
Urban Geography
Economic Geography
Urban Systems in a Global Economy
Urban Environment
Fundamentals of Cartography
Fundamentals of Geographic Information Systems
Environment & Development |
|
WI |
|
|
|
|
|
Complete the two-course Advanced Sequence: |
6 |
|
GUS
GUS |
4197
4198 |
Research Methods in Geography & Urban Studies
Senior Seminar/Capstone |
|
WI
WI |
|
|
|
|
|
GUS |
Electives |
Select five GUS electives, at least four of which
must be 2000+ level. |
15 |
|
Total |
|
|
36 |
|
*For students who are completing the General Education Program, no more than two courses at the 0800 and 0900 levels may be used to complete major requirements. |
All Temple students must take a minimum of two writing-intensive courses. The specific writing-intensive courses required for this major are listed above and are identified by "WI" in the RCI column.
Distinction in the Major
Geography and Urban Studies students can graduate with distinction if they fulfill the following requirements: a GPA of 3.5 in the major and overall 3.5 GPA, enrollment in at least one graduate (or undergraduate course cross-listed with a graduate course), the completion of an honors paper under the supervision of a faculty member, and the presentation of a paper in a public forum. Students who think that they may qualify for distinction should contact the undergraduate advisor by their junior year.
Requirements for the Minor
Department |
Course # |
Course Name |
Hours |
RCI |
Select one Introductory course from: |
3 |
|
GUS
GUS
GUS
GUS
GUS
GUS |
1051
1031
1021
1025
0861
0866 |
Environment & Society
or
Geography of World Affairs
or
Urban Society: Race, Class & Community
or
World Urban Patterns
or
Urban Dynamics
or
World Affairs |
|
IN
IS
RN
IS
GU
GG |
GUS |
Electives |
Select five GUS electives, at least four of which must be 2000+ level.* |
15 |
|
*One cognate course can substitute for an elective with written
permission
from the faculty advisor. |
Total |
|
|
18 |
|
Tracks
The department has identified several informal areas of concentration to assist students in making course selections. These do not constitute formal requirements but rather provide guidelines for developing a personalized curriculum. Students can focus on the following themes:
1. Urban Issues
2. Environmental Problems
3. International Development
4. Geographical Techniques
Gamma Theta Upsilon
We nominate students for membership in the National Honorary Society in Geography on the basis of GPA. Students, who are initiated annually, can submit articles to the GTU journal and apply for national scholarships.
Internships
We encourage students to apply their skills and knowledge in a credit-bearing internship that utilizes their academic training. Assignments at planning, social service, and other agencies, as well as at firms that specialize in mapping and geographic data analysis, have helped in securing employment opportunities. The internship is complemented by a seminar in which students discuss their experiences. Contact Marilyn Silberfein (pawling@temple.edu) for more details and for information on possible internship sites.
Double major with the College of Education
Students may elect to earn certification in secondary school social studies by combining a major in Geography and Urban Studies with a major in Social Studies Education. Students may also earn certification through a Geography and Urban Studies major by following the 5-year B.A./M.A. program. For more information on this opportunity, please contact the CLA Academic Advising Center.
Certificates of Specialization in Travel & Tourism
Students may take a series of courses that examine the rapidly growing fields of tourism and recreation from an urban/geographical perspective. For more information please see the School of Tourism and Hospitality Management.
Certificate of Specialization in the Geography of Tourism
The courses in this certification program examine all the world's culture regions and the linkages among them. Students can elect courses relevant to either domestic or international tourism. Additional courses would then be chosen to help the student acquire a sense of place as well as strategies for learning about new locations.
Certificate in the Geography of Sports, Recreation & Tourism Planning
Students in this program who are interested in urban recreation and sports can take courses related to urban social and policy issues, while those interested in outdoor/rural recreation can take courses on environmental issues. The course on geographical information systems (GIS) is particularly relevant to tourism planning.
Suggested Semester-by-Semester plans
Requirements for New Freshman Students starting in the 2009-2010 Academic Year
Freshman Year – 1st Semester |
Department |
Course # |
Course Name |
Hours |
RCI |
English |
0802, 0812, or 0902 |
Analytical Reading & Writing |
4 |
GW |
GenEd |
08xx or 09xx |
Quantitative Literacy |
4 |
GQ |
Foreign
Language
|
1001 |
Foreign Language (first level) |
4 |
|
GenEd |
08xx or 09xx |
Human Behavior |
3 |
GB |
Subtotal |
|
|
15 |
|
|
Freshman Year – 2nd Semester |
Department |
Course # |
Course Name |
Hours |
RCI |
IH |
0851 or 0951 |
Mosaic: Humanities Seminar I |
3 |
GY |
Foreign
Language
|
1002 |
Foreign Language (second level) |
4 |
|
GenEd |
08xx or 09xx |
Science & Technology I |
3 |
GS |
GenEd |
08xx or 9xx |
Diversity and Race |
3 |
GD |
GUS |
1051/1031/0866 |
One Geography-Focused Course |
3 |
IN/IS/GG |
Subtotal |
|
|
16 |
|
|
Sophomore Year – 1st Semester |
Department |
Course # |
Course Name |
Hours |
RCI |
Foreign
Language/
GenEd
|
0800+ |
Foreign Language (third level) or
GenEd World Society course or
Internationally Focused
Course From Approved List
|
3 |
GG |
IH |
0852 or 0952 |
Mosaic: Humanities Seminar II |
3 |
GZ |
GenEd |
08xx or 09xx |
Science & Technology II |
3 |
GS |
GUS |
1021/1025/0861 |
One Urban-Studies-Focused Course |
3 |
RN/IS/GU |
GUS |
3161 |
Statistics for Urban and Spatial Analysis
or
Another appropriate statistics course with written
approval of the faculty advisor |
3 |
|
Subtotal |
|
|
15 |
|
|
Sophomore Year – 2nd Semester |
Department |
Course # |
Course Name |
Hours |
RCI |
GenEd |
08xx or 09xx |
Arts |
3-4 |
GA |
GenEd |
08xx or 09xx |
U.S. Society |
3 |
GU |
GenEd |
08xx or 09xx |
World Society |
3 |
GG |
GUS |
0800+ |
One Lower-Level GUS Course |
3 |
|
GUS |
2000+ |
One Intermediate GUS Course
From Approved List
|
3 |
|
Subtotal |
|
|
15-16 |
|
|
Junior Year – 1st Semester |
Department |
Course # |
Course Name |
Hours |
RCI |
CLA/CST |
2000+ |
One 2000+ Humanities/CST Course |
3 |
|
GUS |
2000+ |
One Intermediate GUS Course
From Approved List
|
3 |
|
GUS |
2000+ |
One 2000+ GUS Course |
3 |
|
CLA/CST |
2000+ |
One 2000+ CLA/CST Course |
3 |
|
CLA/CST |
0800-4999 |
Any CLA/CST Elective |
3 |
|
Any |
0800-4999 |
One Elective in Any School or College |
2 |
|
Subtotal |
|
|
17 |
|
|
Junior Year – 2nd Semester |
Department |
Course # |
Course Name |
Hours |
RCI |
CLA/CST |
2000+ |
One 2000+ Humanities/CST Course |
3 |
|
GUS |
2000+ |
One 2000+ GUS Course |
3 |
|
GUS |
2000+ |
One 2000+ GUS Course |
3 |
|
CLA/CST |
2000+ |
One 2000+ CLA/CST Course |
3 |
|
CLA/CST |
0800-4999 |
Any CLA/CST Elective |
3 |
|
Subtotal |
|
|
15 |
|
|
Senior Year – 1st Semester |
Department |
Course # |
Course Name |
Hours |
RCI |
GUS |
4197* |
Research Methods in Geography & Urban Studies |
3 |
WI |
GUS |
2000+ |
One 2000+ GUS Course |
3 |
|
CLA/CST |
2000+ |
One 2000+ CLA/CST Course |
3 |
|
CLA/CST |
2000+ |
One 2000+ CLA/CST Course |
3 |
|
CLA/CST |
0800-4999 |
Any CLA/CST Elective |
3 |
|
Subtotal |
|
|
15 |
|
|
Senior Year – 2nd Semester |
Department |
Course # |
Course Name |
Hours |
RCI |
GUS |
4198 |
Senior Seminar/Capstone |
3 |
WI |
CLA/CST |
2000+ |
One 2000+ CLA/CST Course |
3 |
|
CLA/CST |
0800-4999 |
Any CLA/CST Elective |
3 |
|
CLA/CST |
0800-4999 |
Any CLA/CST Elective |
3 |
|
Any |
0800-4999 |
One Elective in Any School or College |
3 |
|
Subtotal |
|
|
15 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Degree Total |
|
123 |
|
*GUS 4197 is typically offered only in the fall semester. |
Requirements for New Transfer Students Starting in the 2009-2010 Academic Year
Freshman Year – 1st Semester |
Department |
Course # |
Course Name |
Hours |
RCI |
English |
0802, 0812, or 0902 |
Analytical Reading & Writing |
4 |
CO/GW |
Foreign Language |
1001 |
Foreign Language (first level) |
4 |
|
Core |
0800+ |
One Quantitative Reasoning A Course |
3-4 |
QA/GQ |
Core |
0800+ |
One Arts Course |
3-4 |
AR/GA |
Subtotal |
|
|
14-16 |
|
|
Freshman Year – 2nd Semester |
Department |
Course # |
Course Name |
Hours |
RCI |
IH |
0851 or 0951 |
Mosaic: Humanities Seminar I |
3 |
IA/GY |
Foreign Language |
1002 |
Foreign Language (second level) |
4 |
|
GUS |
1021/1025/0861 |
One Urban-Studies-Focused Course |
3 |
RN/IS/GU |
GUS |
1051/1031/0866 |
One Geography-Focused Course |
3 |
IN/IS/GG |
Core |
1000+ |
One Science & Technology A Course |
3-4 |
SA |
Subtotal |
|
|
16-17 |
|
|
Sophomore Year – 1st Semester |
Department |
Course # |
Course Name |
Hours |
RCI |
Foreign Language/
Core
|
0800+ |
Foreign Language (third level) or
International Studies course |
3 |
IS/GG |
IH |
0852 or 0952 |
Mosaic: Humanities Seminar II |
3 |
IB/GZ |
Core |
0800+ |
One Science & Technology B Course |
3-4 |
SB/GS |
Core |
0800+ |
One International Studies Course |
3 |
IS/GG |
Core |
0800+ |
One Quantitative Reasoning B Course |
3-4 |
QB/GQ |
Subtotal |
|
|
15-17 |
|
|
Sophomore Year – 2nd Semester |
Department |
Course # |
Course Name |
Hours |
RCI |
Core |
0800+ |
One Individual and Society Course |
3 |
IN/GB |
Core |
0800+ |
One Studies in Race Course |
3 |
RS/GD |
Core |
0800+ |
One American Culture Course |
3 |
AC/GU |
GUS |
0800+ |
One Lower-Level GUS Course |
3 |
|
GUS |
2000+ |
One Intermediate GUS Course From Approved List |
3 |
|
Subtotal |
|
|
15 |
|
|
Junior Year – 1st Semester |
Department |
Course # |
Course Name |
Hours |
RCI |
CLA/CST |
2000+ |
One 2000+ Humanities/CST Course |
3 |
|
GUS |
2000+ |
One Intermediate GUS Course From Approved List |
3 |
|
GUS |
2000+ |
One 2000+ GUS Course |
3 |
|
CLA/CST |
2000+ |
One 2000+ CLA/CST Course |
3 |
|
GUS |
3161 |
Statistics for Urban and Spatial Analysis
or
Another appropriate statistics course with written
approval of the faculty advisor |
3 |
|
Any |
0800-4999 |
One Elective in Any School or College |
2-3 |
|
Subtotal |
|
|
17-18 |
|
|
Junior Year – 2nd Semester |
Department |
Course # |
Course Name |
Hours |
RCI |
CLA/CST |
2000+ |
One 2000+ Humanities/CST Course |
3 |
|
GUS |
2000+ |
One 2000+ GUS Course |
3 |
|
GUS |
2000+ |
One 2000+ GUS Course |
3 |
|
GUS |
2000+ |
One 2000+ GUS Course |
3 |
|
CLA/CST |
0800-4999 |
Any CLA/CST Elective |
3 |
|
Subtotal |
|
|
15 |
|
|
Senior Year – 1st Semester |
Department |
Course # |
Course Name |
Hours |
RCI |
GUS |
4197* |
Research Methods in Geography & Urban Studies |
3 |
WI |
Core |
1000-4999 |
One Writing-Intensive Course |
3 |
WI |
CLA/CST |
2000+ |
One 2000+ CLA/CST Course |
3 |
|
CLA/CST |
2000+ |
One 2000+ CLA/CST Course |
3 |
|
CLA/CST |
0800-4999 |
Any CLA/CST Elective |
3 |
|
Subtotal |
|
|
15 |
|
|
Senior Year – 2nd Semester |
Department |
Course # |
Course Name |
Hours |
RCI |
GUS |
4198 |
Senior Seminar/Capstone |
3 |
WI |
CLA/CST |
2000+ |
One 2000+ CLA/CST Course |
3 |
|
CLA/CST |
2000+ |
One 2000+ CLA/CST Course |
3 |
|
CLA/CST |
0800-4999 |
Any CLA/CST Course |
3 |
|
CLA/CST |
0800-4999 |
Any CLA/CST Elective |
3 |
|
Any |
0800-4999 |
One Elective in Any School or College |
1-3 |
|
Subtotal |
|
|
16-18 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Degree Total |
|
123 |
|
*GUS 4197 is typically offered only in the fall semester. |
|
|
|