Academics

Geography and Sustainable Development majors integrate the social and natural sciences to address 21st century social, economic, and environmental challenges. They synthesize geographic information using qualitative and quantitative techniques, including geospatial mapping technologies and data science. Students apply critical thinking, communication, and technical skills through individualized research and field experiences. They are prepared for purposeful careers in sustainable development and policy; environment and natural resource management; culture, citizenship and social justice; and geospatial techniques and applications.

In the minor, students explore interactions between people, places, and environments, integrating social and natural sciences to understand global issues and address them locally. Geography minors learn diverse methods, like geospatial analysis, for studying and managing human and environmental change.

The Geography minor is also embedded in the Social Justice Studies Major, Track 4: Global Peace and Social Justice.

The minor introduces students to the systematic analysis of urban problems and design of appropriate solutions. Planning minors gain basic skills for defining urban problems, use geospatial and other analytical methods, and apply relevant planning concepts and techniques to facilitate decision-making.