Courses

As a broadly trained geographer with a wide range of teaching interests, I have developed and taught face-to-face, online, and study abroad courses ranging from introductory physical geography, to introductory human geography and world regional geography, upper-level courses spanning the many sub-fields of human geography, and region-specific courses that focus on both the physical geography and human geography of a particular world region. The following are courses I have developed and regularly teach in multiple modalities at Kennesaw State University within the face-to-face and fully online versions of the BA in Geography degree program, the BS in Geospatial Sciences degree program, the Minor in Geography program, and as upper-division electives and related studies for many students from many different degree programs at KSU.

GEOG 1101: Introduction to Human Geography (face-to-face, online, and study abroad)
GEOG 1125: Resources, Society, and the Environment (online)
GEOG 1130: World Regional Geography (face-to-face and online)
GEOG 2200: Research Methods (face-to-face and online)
GEOG 3312: Geography of Europe (face-to-face, online, and study abroad)
GEOG 3330: Economic Geography (online)
GEOG 3340: Cultural Geography (online)
GEOG 4300 (previously 3300): Urban Geography (face-to-face and study abroad)
GEOG 4345 (previously 3345): Population Geography (face-to-face and online)
GEOG 4349 (previously 3349): Health Geography (face-to-face and online)
GEOG 4380 (previously 3380): Geography of North America (face-to-face and online)
GEOG 4100: Directed Applied Research (face-to-face and online)
GEOG 4490: Special Topics in Geography (face-to-face and online)

Scroll down for additional details on course titles, course descriptions, and course preview video trailers.

GEOG 1101: Introduction to Human Geography

This course is a survey of global patterns of resources, population, culture, and economic systems. Emphasis is placed upon the factors contributing to these patterns and the distinctions between the technologically advanced and less advanced regions of the world.

GEOG 1125: Resources, Society, and the Environment

Interactions between physical systems and human activities, and their effects on environmental quality and sustainability are emphasized. Topics include: geography of population and resource consumption, food production, water and air quality, energy policy, land/biotic resource management. Contrasting social, ethical, and technological perspectives on environmental concerns are explored.

GEOG 1130: World Regional Geography

An introduction to world regions through the context of human geography. The course focuses on basic geographic concepts to analyze social, economic and political issues at local, regional and global scales. Elements of fundamental physical geography will be discussed to illustrate the spatial relationships between the physical environment and human geography.

GEOG 2200: Research Methods

This course is designed to prepare students for scientific research in the environmental field and related disciplines. It introduces students to a variety of spatial and environmental research concepts, approaches, methods and techniques. This course guides students through aspects of scientific research.

GEOG 4300 (previously 3300): Urban Geography

An analysis of the location and distribution of urban centers, urban land uses and the geographical aspects of general urban issues.

GEOG 3312: Geography of Europe

A geographical survey of Europe and its environs, with emphasis on the tremendous diversity found in both the physical and human geography of the region. Economic, political and cultural geography are examined within the framework of the forces that are rapidly restructuring European landscapes of Eastern and Western Europe.

GEOG 3330: Economic Geography

A geographic analysis of global resources and economic growth. The underlying theme of the course is the impact of space (location, distance, area, boundaries) on economic decision-making. Topics to be discussed include population, transportation, rural and urban land use, industrial location, natural resource management, and development/underdevelopment. Differing spatial theories will be employed to explain the global economy in transition.

GEOG 3340: Cultural Geography

A thematic approach is applied to analyze human cultures, to examine world cultural regions, to note the spread of cultural traits, to interpret interactions between culture and environment, and to appreciate multiple traits of cultures and cultural landscapes. The five themes of region, diffusion, ecology, integration, and landscape are used to explore historical and contemporary issues of population, agriculture, politics, language, religion, ethnicity, popular culture, and urban spaces. The philosophy of the course is based on the premise that the built environment is a spatial expression of the beliefs, attitudes, and practices of a people.

GEOG 4345 (previously 3345): Population Geography

Population geography and migration studies are fundamental sub-disciplines of human geography. This course examines key issues that affect population patterns and change at different geographic scales, including demographic change, migration, refugee movement and internal displacement, and ethnic and racial categorization. Case studies are used to understand contemporary issues of population growth, labor migration, refugee resettlement, immigration policy, and transnational identity. Students will gain a theoretical framework to understand local, national, regional, and global population dynamics.

GEOG 4349 (previously 3349): Health Geography

The geography of health is a thriving area of study that considers the impact of natural, built, and social environments on human health. This course introduces students to three geographical contributions to health studies. First, it emphasizes the importance of ecological approaches to health, which consider interactions between humans and their environments, including topics such as how climate change might influence disease distributions, and how the built environment can influence patterns of physical activity. A second focus is social theory, exploring how aspects such as race, socioeconomic status, and identity play a critical role in influencing human health. A third section of the course considers how spatial methods (cartography, GIS, and spatial statistics) can help answer health-related questions such as the global and local impacts of a pandemic.

GEOG 4380 (previously 3380): Geography of North America

A geographical survey of North America emphasizing the significant diversity found in both the physical and human geography of the region. Past, current and changing locational arrangements of people and resources are examined as they relate to economic, political, urban and cultural geographic perspectives within the framework of the forces that have created the variety of landscapes of the North American continent.

GEOG 4100: Directed Applied Research

This course will offer students an opportunity to investigate geographically-oriented concepts and issues by assisting in faculty-led research or scholarship. Course content and instructional methodologies will be identified by the faculty's needs and expectations.

**GEOG 4490: Special Topics - Geography of Population and Migration (Spring 2017 and Spring 2018)**

GEOG 4490: Special Topics - Health Geography (Spring 2021)

Other Courses Previously Instructed at Other Institutions:

Prior to my current teaching experiences at Kennesaw State University, I have previously served as an instructor of other courses at other institutions.

Freshman Seminar

These classes are taught by a diverse group of faculty, professional advisors, and student affairs professionals. Their primary intent is to assist new students in making a successful transition to college by providing information and tools to help students gain awareness of campus resources, by encouraging students to make connections to the university community, and by developing strategies for academic and personal growth. Individual sections may take a particular thematic focus while others are more general in their approach. Some seminar sections are linked to other academic courses. My section was taught as a "Crossroads Charlotte" theme section of Freshman Seminar. Crossroads Charlotte was designed to facilitate improvements in access, equity, inclusion, opportunity, and inter-group trust.

Global Connections

All sections of this course examine two or more cultures in their own contexts and in the contexts of the global conditions and influences that impact all major world cultures today. Particular attention is given to an analysis of the complex nature of globalization and to a consideration of both its positive and negative impacts. My section was taught as a World Regional Geography course.

Introduction to Urban Studies

A survey course exploring the diverse perspectives and experience of North American Cities. Lectures and discussions will focus on the development, organization, function, and meaning of urban areas, as well as the multiple and complex relationships that exist between cities and the people who live and work within them.

Principles of Physical Geography I

Physical Geography I is the first in a two-part sequence including topics such as weather and climate relative to the Earth and relationships between the Earth and Sun.

Principles of Physical Geography II

Physical Geography II is the second part of a two-part sequence. This course focuses on the study of natural landscapes. It is designed to provide students with a general introduction to the dynamic interrelationships between climate, soils, vegetation, geomorphic features, and underlying geology on the natural landscape.

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