BA in Geography-Anthropology (Geography Concentration)
The program leading to a major in geography-anthropology emphasizes the integration of the two disciplines. Among the elements that are integrated in the major are common interests in the relationship between human populations and their natural environments, decision-making strategies of human groups, and the health and nutritional status of human societies. The major is an interdisciplinary program wherein students are expected to take courses from both geography and anthropology.
While the bachelor of arts degree is in geography-anthropology, students must select either a concentration in geography or a concentration in anthropology. Many students choose to concentrate in both areas. All majors share a set of foundation courses, but each concentration has its own requirements.
The program of study beyond the basic requirements should be planned carefully, in close consultation with the student's departmental advisor, and should be approved by the latter. Such an arrangement allows for flexibility according to the student's interests while also providing close guidance and a control of educational quality by the Department.
Courses & Requirements
To receive a bachelor's degree with a concentration in geography, students must take at least 44-50 credits of geography and anthropology courses, as well as fulfill all other university requirements.
Of these 44-50 credits, students are required to take ANT 101J (Anthropology: The Cultural View), ANT 103 (Introduction to Archaeology), GEO 101J (Human Geography), GEO 102K (Physical Geography), GYA 210 (Perspectives on Env., Society & Culture since 1750); MAT 120 (Introduction to Statistics).
In addition, students must take three topical or regional courses (list below) from a minimum of 2 different professors and two of which must be at or above 200 level; 1 techniques/applied course (list below); 9 additional credit hours, 3 of which must be GEO courses at or above the 300 level, and 3 of which must be ANT courses at or above the 200 level.
Students must complete at least 3 credit hours in a geography or anthropology field course. A supervised 3 credit minimum internship in geography or anthropology may be substituted for the field course.
Additionally, all geography-anthropology majors are required to demonstrate writing competence by completing either two research papers or one research paper and one research product (e.g., poster, media project) in the major with grades of C or better, from two different professors, circulated and reviewed by the Department at least one semester prior to graduation.
The maximum hours of internships, field experience, and/or independent study that can be applied to the major requirements is 9 hours. All students must meet with their advisor before registering for courses each semester.
Any additional credits earned above and beyond the required 44-50 will be applied towards general elective credits.
Topical/Regional Courses
GEO 103 Human-Environmental Geography
GEO 104 World Regional Geography
GEO 120 Geography of Maine
GEO 203 Urban and Regional Development
GEO 207 Maps: Knowledge, Technology, Society, Culture
GEO 255 Making a Living: Workers in a Global Economy
GEO 302 Gender, Work, and Space
GEO 303 Economic Geography
GEO 320 Conservation of Natural Resources
GEO 350 Geography of International Development
GEO 402 Urban Geography
GEO 450 Topics in Geography
GEO 455 Gender “Race” and Class in the City.
Techniques/Applied Courses
GEO 208 Cartography I
GEO 209 Introduction to Land Use Planning
GEO 210 Planning Maine Communities
GEO 305 Remote Sensing
GEO 308 GIS Applications I
GEO 408 GIS Applications II
ANT 315 Ethnography: Methods, Ethics, and Practice
Other Geography Courses
GEO 108 (GIS Applications); GEO 458 (Research Applications in GIS)
Anthropology Courses
ANT 102 (Biological Anthropology w/Lab); ANT 201J (Human Origins); ANT 202I (Origins of Civilization); ANT 213 (Human Ecology); ANT 220I (North American Indians); ANT 222I (Peoples of the North); ANT 230I (Hunters and Gatherers); ANT 232I (The Anthropology of Sex and Gender); ANT 233I (Food and Culture); ANT 250I (Archaeology of South America); ANT 260 (Public Interpretation in Anthropology); ANT 302 (Medical Anthropology); ANT 306 (Analysis of Archaeological Materials); ANT 307 (Specialized Techniques in Archaeology); ANT 308 (Environmental Archaeology); ANT 310 (History of Anthropological Thought); ANT 355 (Public Interpretation in Anthropology) ANT 360 (Public Archaeology); ANT 450 (Topics in Anthropology).
*No course may fulfill more than one requirement.
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