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?
DANTES Online Catalog Yes, it is really an academic subject and there is more to it than coloring little maps.
Would taking a CLEP and testing out of the geography requirement be possible? That would be the easiest and cheapest fix.
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.
there isn't a CLEP, but there is a DANTES search for testing centers in your area DSST - GetCollegeCredit.com the closest thing I've found to me is a place that does certs for MS and the A+, Network+ BYU also has some courses BYU Independent Study - Online Courses BYU Independent Study - Online Courses they're self study, but you do have to take proctored exams
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....
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.
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.
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?
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
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.