Associate of Arts - Geography

Designed to introduce students to the department through the study of physical elements and cultural aspects of geography. Physical geography examines forces shaping the landscape including weather, soil, water bodies, and the Earth’s interior. Cultural geography studies and compares location and distribution of human values such as cultures, religion, political ideologies, economics, languages, technology, population, and recreation combined to produce a cultural landscape. Regional geography concentrates on specific regions of the world, for example, California.

Program Student Learning Outcomes: • Students will be able to communicate their understanding and analysis results by making maps, writing research papers and technical reports, giving oral presentations, and developing multimedia presentations. • Students will develop capabilities and technical skills to apply scientific research methods (in both natural and social sciences) to observe, collect, and process geographic data; to perform analysis based on the knowledge, theories and principles in geography; and to draw quantitative and qualitative conclusions. • Students will develop capabilities and technical skills to apply scientific research methods (in both natural and social sciences) to observe, collect, and process geographic data; to perform analysis based on the knowledge, theories and principles in geography; and to draw quantitative and qualitative conclusions. Specifically, they should be able to demonstrate: • The capability to identify and define research problems in physical and/or human geography fields; • The capability to draw conclusions and/or suggest solutions based on their analysis results. • Students will be able to use written text, speech, maps, graphics, equations, and other devices to identify and describe spatial characteristics, patterns and processes at a variety of scales in physical, human, and social economic environment, including themes in atmosphere, biosphere, lithosphere, hydrosphere, population, culture, economics, settlements, and policies.