Human Geography Track

Human Geography in Action

Human Geography Track

Population, political, urban, social, and cultural geography

Human geography first and foremost involves the study of human beings--more specifically, of the organization of human activity and of spatial patterns as they affect and, in turn, respond to the world about us.Ìý The processes under study derive from distinct, but interactive, substructures: pursuit of livelihood (economic), social interaction (socio-political), and historical inertia and meaning (cultural).Ìý The products are change, conflict, diffusion, differentiation, and repetition in the human organization of the land.Ìý These same human processes will interact with biophysical processes, (e.g., air quality or plant introductions) to shape humanized landscapes and regional character.Ìý Human geographers typically investigate problems associated with locational strategies and human decisions.Ìý Such problems cut through subjects as diverse as analysis of regional markets, racial segregation in cities, migration flows, hazardous sites, international development, medieval landscape patterns, or formulation of impact statements.

Students must complete at least 37 and no more than 45 credit hours in Geography with grades of C- or better (23 hours must be upper division). No pass/fail grades are allowed in the major. Transfer students majoring in Geography must complete at least 12 hours of upper-division Geography courses at CU-Boulder. No course may be used to fulfill more than one requirement for the major.

In addition to the courses required of all concentrations, complete the following GEOG coursework.

Place, Power, and Contemporary Culture3
orÌýInternational Development: Economics, Power, and Place
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A third-year university-level proficiency in a foreign language appropriate to the geographic concentration is required. 1Ìý
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Select three of the following electives: 29-10
Political EcologyÌý
Reimagining Cities: Spaces of Power, Privilege, and PossibilityÌý
Cities of the Global SouthÌý
Economic GeographyÌý
Who Runs the World? Sex, Power, and Gender in GeographyÌý
International Development: Economics, Power, and PlaceÌý
Introduction to Global Public HealthÌý
Place, Power, and Contemporary CultureÌý
Mexico, Central America, and the CaribbeanÌý
China’s Diverse Geographies: Environment, Society, PoliticsÌý
Love & War Geographies: Imperialism, Militarism, and Development in South AsiaÌý
Human Geography of Czechia: Political, Economic and Social TransitionsÌý
Global Africa: Environment, Development, and CultureÌý
Geography of the Former Soviet UnionÌý
Topics in Human and Environment/Society Geography 3Ìý
Research Seminar (may be applied to the concentration on a case-by-case basis)Ìý
Migration, Immigrant Adaptation, and DevelopmentÌý
City LifeÌý
Development GeographyÌý
Political GeographyÌý
Population GeographyÌý
Geographies of Political IslamÌý
Geography of TibetÌý
Health and Medical GeographyÌý
Internship (may be applied to the concentration on a case-by-case basis)Ìý
Senior Thesis (may be applied to the concentration on a case-by-case basis)Ìý
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Take one upper-division elective in Geographic Information Science, Environment and Society, or Physical Geography.3-4
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Total Credit Hours

15-17

1This requirement may be met by completion of one or two semester-long, third year, university-level grammar courses (depending on the language) with a grade of C- or better, while also satisfying language department requirements for advancement through the sequence.


2Unless otherwise noted, the department-enforced prerequisite for all courses is GEOG 1962, GEOG 1982, GEOG 1992 or GEOG 2092.


3Special topics courses may be used to satisfy upper-division concentration requirements with approval from the department.

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