Geography (GEOG) Courses
Approaches to Geographical Inquiry
A review of the major philosophical perspectives shaping research and explanation by geographers. Particular attention is paid to interpretations of social structure and human action, the nature of the biophysical universe, and the interaction between human beings and their environments.
Modeling Environmental Systems
Methods and problems of research on the physical environment, with illustrative material taken from the atmospheric and surface earth sciences. Topics include: the identification and behaviour of environmental systems, temporal and spatial scale, experimental method under field conditions, and simulation and model development.
Quantitative Analysis for Geographical Research
Quantitative techniques and methods for research on the natural and cultural environment. Topics include sampling, experimental design, replication, variance, correlation, time series analysis, statistical uncertainty, simulation, calibration, validation.
Critical Approaches to Qualitative Inquiry
Development of critical skills in qualitative research by considering the relationship between theory and method. Engaged scholarship and participatory, community-based, action research. Practical experience with select methods including: interviews, personal narratives, focus groups, participant observation, archival research, discourse analysis, and visual methodologies.
Global Environmental Change: Human Implications
Global environmental change: its significance for societies, economies and international relations. Value systems underlying environmental discourse; political economy of the environment; sustainability and security. Environmental diplomacy and grassroots environmentalism. Regionalized impacts of pressures on natural environments; challenges of adaptation.
Special Topics in Geography of the Environment
Research seminar on a selected theme within geographical approaches to environmental analysis. Topics will vary from year to year. Consult departmental web site for current details.
Hydrologic Principles and Methods
Advanced physical hydrology with emphasis on atmospheric moisture, precipitation, evaporation, infiltration, soil water physics, snow hydrology and runoff generation. Analytical approaches and methods to solve practical hydrological problems.
Advanced Biogeography
Current methods and theories in paleoecology are examined: dendrochronology, paleolimnology and other techniques for examining past climates and environmental condition. Numerical approaches to climate change studies.
Field Study and Methodological Research
Field acquisition and analysis of geographic material; supervised field observations and methodology. (Individual or group basis, by special arrangement.).
Special Topics in the Geography of Development
Research seminar within geographical approaches to development focusing on a selected theme or region. Topics vary from year to year. Consult departmental web site for current details.
Geocryology
Development of ground ice in permafrost regions of Canada; ice segregation and pore-water expulsion during ground freezing; analytical and numerical approaches to modeling permafrost conditions.
Soil Resources
Physical, mineralogical, chemical, and other properties of soils will be studied in agricultural, environmental, geomorphological and/or geotechnical contexts, as relevant to the students enrolled.
Territory and Territoriality
Contemporary geographical and international relations theorizing is challenging notions of boundaries and territories in the political organization of modernity. Using contemporary writings on geopolitics, security, sovereignty, self-determination and identity politics this course investigates territoriality as a political and intellectual strategy.
Special Topics in Cultural Geography
Research seminar on a selected theme within cultural (including historical) geography. Topic varies from year to year. Consult departmental web site for current details.
Special Topics in the Study of Cities and Urbanization
Research seminar on a selected theme within geographical approaches to the study of cities and urbanization. Topics will vary from year to year. Consult departmental website for current details.
Special Topics in Geography of Globalization
Research seminar on a selected theme within geographical aspects of globalization. Topic varies from year to year. Consult departmental web site for current details.
Empire and Colonialism
Theoretical approaches to empire and colonialism: postcolonial, feminist, Indigenous, anti-racist, queer, decolonizing, and political-economic approaches. Consideration of a range of sites of imperial and colonial formation, including land, territory, nature, the body, sexuality, gender, and race, as well as forms of resistance, resurgence, and decolonization.
Topics in Northern Human Geography
Political, social, economic, cultural, and environmental geographies of the Canadian North and/or circumpolar North. Topics may include climate change, resource development, politics and governance, knowledge and expertise, geopolitics, sovereignty, colonialism, Indigenous knowledge, Indigenous self-determination, conservation and wildlife, environmental politics.
Seminar in Geomatics
Current research issues in geomatics, including remote sensing, geographic information systems, geographic positioning, and cartography. Topics will focus on combined interests of enrolled students and departmental faculty.
Prerequisite(s): prior experience with GIS, GPS, remote sensing or cartography and permission of the department.
Geographic Information Systems
GIS for students with no previous experience. Includes data formats and structures, input/output and analysis capabilities, and GIS applications.
Graduate Tutorial
Tutorial, directed reading or research, offered on an individual basis, to meet specific program needs; may be taken in one of the areas of specialization of the Department.
Masters Research Workshop
A workshop which focuses on the challenges of research design in the various sub-fields of geography. The workshop will culminate with the development and defence of a thesis research proposal.
M.Sc. Thesis
Thesis supervision will be given in Physical Geography, as listed in the introductory section of this department's program description.
M.A. Major Research Essay
Supervised research essay offered on an individual basis, to meet M.A. Major Research Essay pathway program needs; may be taken in one of the areas of specialization of the Department. Includes: Experiential Learning Activity.
Prerequisite(s): Permission of the Department.
M.A. Thesis
Thesis supervision will be given in all areas of specialization of the Department, as listed in the introductory section of this department's program description.
Doctoral Core Seminar: Geography, Society and the Environment
Examination of the production and use of geographical knowledge, including underlying philosophies, key theoretical concepts, and methodological approaches. Discussion and integrative approaches to understanding the geographies of environmental and social change. Provides an opportunity for students to locate their research interests within broader intellectual contexts.
Doctoral Core Seminar: Research and Professional Practice
Geographical research situated within broader disciplinary and institutional context. Exploration of various aspects of professional practice (academic and non-academic careers, pedagogical style, etc.). Research impact, knowledge mobilization, engaged scholarship. Early thesis proposal development.
Field Seminar: Geography of Societal Change
Analysis of current geographical and related research into the three themes of global political economy: restructuring and the environment; geographies of socio-cultural evaluation; and feminist geographies.
Field Seminar: Geography of Societal Change
Analysis of current geographical and related research into the three themes of global political economy: restructuring and the environment; geographies of socio-cultural evaluation; and feminist geographies.
Field Seminar: Geography of Environmental Change
Analysis of geographical and related research into the appraisal and societal management of environmental resources, and environmental processes and anthropogenic impacts.
Field Seminar: Geography of Environmental Change
Analysis of geographical and related research into the appraisal and societal management of environmental resources, and environmental processes and anthropogenic impacts.
Comprehensive Examination: The Geography of Societal Change
This examination focuses on research challenges in theory and methodology in the themes of global political economy: restructuring and the environment; geographies of socio-cultural evaluation; feminist geographies. A specific theme will be identified for each candidate.
Comprehensive Examination: The Geography of Environmental Change
This examination focuses on research challenges in theory and methodology associated with the appraisal and societal management of environmental resources, and environmental processes and anthropogenic impacts. A specific theme will be identified for each candidate.
Ph.D. Thesis
Note: Not all courses listed are offered in a given year. For an up-to-date statement of course offerings for the current session and to determine the term of offering, consult the class schedule at central.carleton.ca.
Summer session: some of the courses listed in this Calendar are offered during the summer. Hours and scheduling for summer session courses will differ significantly from those reported in the fall/winter Calendar. To determine the scheduling and hours for summer session classes, consult the class schedule at central.carleton.ca