What is Geography?
Geography is a contemporary discipline with ancient roots. Millennia
ago the Egyptians and Greeks measured the Earth and the heavens
and developed explanations for the diversity they saw. Geographers
today maintain that same curiosity about places and spaces.
They examine both physical and cultural landscapes, focusing
on the many environments that people inhabit, alter, create,
and perceive.
The Department of Geography at CSUS provides a wide range of courses for persons majoring in Geography. Lower division offerings in physical geography and cultural geography introduce students to the discipline. Upper division offerings add diversity. Students can choose among regional classes on many parts of the Earth, topical classes on subjects from population to landforms, and skill classes that include map making, map reading, spatial analysis, remote sensing, geographic information systems, and fieldwork.
Students majoring in Geography are encouraged to enroll in elective courses that are consistent with their particular geographical interests and concentrations. A minor in another academic field is not required, but it may be useful for some students to have a second specialization if they intend to pursue graduate studies or professional work in geography.
Foreign area or regional geography specializations normally require
that a student gain competency in the language(s) of the area(s)
studied, but there are no formal language requirements for the
major or minor programs.
