Geography by another name?

Discussion in 'General Distance Learning Discussions' started by Pelican, May 4, 2011.

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  1. Pelican

    Pelican Member

    I'm applying to admission to a program that requires a geography course, with the recommendation (not sure how important that is) that the topics be "Major World Regions" or "Human Geography". I've checked with my own (fairly large) state school, as well as several smaller community colleges where I could potentially study distance courses to complete the requirement, and I can't find any geography courses listed in the catalogs, nor in any cross-listings.

    So does geography often go by another name? Is that really an academic topic (it sounds like something from my grade school where I had to color little maps)? Given that I'm an area studies major, I find it hard to believe I haven't met this requirement 10 times over, so what should I look for to see if a course is a geography, perhaps disguised by another name?
     
  2. airtorn

    airtorn Moderator

    DANTES Online Catalog

    Yes, it is really an academic subject and there is more to it than coloring little maps.
     
  3. Kizmet

    Kizmet Moderator

  4. SurfDoctor

    SurfDoctor Moderator

    Would taking a CLEP and testing out of the geography requirement be possible? That would be the easiest and cheapest fix.
     
  5. Pelican

    Pelican Member

    Yeah, they said CLEP would be fine, unfortunately, where I live there is no CLEP testing center, and it seems the nearest center is on a base, and I don't think they allow civilians inside. Furthermore, I'm terrible at taking multiple-choice tests, even ones I'm well-prepared for.
     
  6. james_lankford

    james_lankford New Member

  7. edowave

    edowave Active Member

    This course might help you: URP 3001 - Cities of the World

    It is so unfortunate that most people's exposure to geography in this country ends at the 8th grade. Even university administrators don't understand the field of geography and its importance. Some universities cut their geography programs a while ago, and so those professors were absorbed into other departments. Havard was one example, but they recently brought it back. Some geography departments changed their name in order to sound more attractive to students.

    Some other departments that you might find geography courses are:

    Urban Planning
    Economic Development
    Rural Studies
    Environmental Studies
    Geographic Information Systems
    Real Estate
    Marketing
    Geomatics
    Anthropology
    Sociology
    Agriculture
    Economics
    Demography
    and this list goes on....
     
    Last edited by a moderator: May 4, 2011
  8. consultco

    consultco New Member

    Here is a link to the Dantes Human Cultural Geography test, which one can prepare for through Instantcert. If you study, then be sure to take practice tests, you will absolutely know if you will pass the real one, so the multiple-choice factor can be greatly mitigated, or eliminated.
     
  9. LaceyLady

    LaceyLady New Member

    I agree, it is a pity that geography is a rare subject in universities. I, personally, love geography, but have difficulty finding college courses in the subject.

    I would suggest taking the DSST (Dantes) test, Human Cultural Geography, if you can. I took it and found it reasonably easy. I studied for one month and got 69 (from between 20 and 80). Normally a 50 is enough to pass (check with your school), so you should be able to study and take the test quite quickly, much quicker than a course. And the test is much less expensive than a course, too.

    If you are not able to take the DSST test, another option is Colorado State University Independent Study courses: Colorado State University-Pueblo > Geography They have three geography courses.

    Hope this helps.
     
  10. Pelican

    Pelican Member

    I found some courses called "geography", but they include topics like weather and climate, the flow of water over the land, and GIS. That is geology, right? Is there a large area where the terms "geography" and "geology" meet?

    How is human cultural geography different from area studies?
     
  11. major56

    major56 Active Member

    Utah State University (Independent Study & Online Courses): Offers several geography courses … including Human Geography (e.g., “…study within selected socio-cultural settings, including cultural landscapes, rural-urban linkages, languages, religions, politics, and economic activities.”).
    Independent Study & Online Courses - Regional Campuses & Distance Education - distance.usu.edu

    Iowa State University: Offers online Environmental Studies courses

    http://lasonline.iastate.edu/index.php/programs-a-courses/courses/summer-2011
    Fall 2011 Courses
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Jun 5, 2011
  12. edowave

    edowave Active Member

    All those topics you mentioned fall under geography. Just take a look at the AAG's specialty groups, and you will be amazed. Specialty Groups | AAG . There will be some overlap in other fields, like geology, economics, anthropology, etc. Often, the difference in not in the tools you use, but in the way you approach a problem.

    As for your second question, I think it boils down to who you ask. In my mind, there really isn't any difference.
     

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