Geography
Geography is a dynamic, interdisciplinary science that provides both micro and macro approaches to the study of people and their environments around the world. Our program at Shepherd is supported by a diverse instructional staff, online course options, a large U.S. and world map collection, and meaningful linkages to neighboring programs such as the Global Studies B.A. and the Environmental Studies B.S. We also coordinate the annual West Virginia State GeoBee and Giant Traveling Map visits to campus through the National Geographic Society. We are dedicated to building life skills and global understanding and respect through courses that both engage and inspire.
The Geography Minor (18 credits) provides interdisciplinary study of world cultures and environments at multiple scales, local to global, with an emphasis on spatial patterns and relationships. Geography bridges the human and physical sciences and provides important perspectives and skills that help us understand human-land relationships and our interdependence with people all over the world.
Geographers are prepared for a wealth of rewarding careers ranging from work in government agencies to business, industry, education, and non-profit organizations. The U.S. Department of Labor describes Geography as a “bright outlook” career area. Beyond normal skills like written and oral communication, geographers have unique skills and perspectives: a global view, spatial thinking, skills in map interpretation and geospatial technologies, an interdisciplinary perspective, and a sense of the complex interconnectedness of humans with their environments. Join us! Let Geography take you there! “Geography is for life in every sense of the expression…lifelong, life-sustaining, and life-enhancing.” (National Geography Standards)
The Geography Minor can be combined with most university degree programs, e.g., majors in global studies, history, political science, sociology, and environmental studies. Students wishing to complete the Geography Minor must complete 18 credits of course work, including GEOG 105 World Cultural Geography, GEOG 202 World Regions, and GEOG 301 World Economic Geography or GEOG 307 Population and Development (9 cr). An additional 6 credits must be upper division elective courses in geography. The final 3 credits are to be taken from a list of restricted electives.
The Anthropology-Geography Minor (18 credits) provides foundational study of the world’s cultures and environments by examining patterns and relationships in various locations and time frames. Anthropology is the scientific study of the biological and cultural heritage of peoples of the world, both past and present. Geography provides an understanding of the world’s cultural and physical environments with a focus on five key themes: location, place, region, movement, and human-environmental interaction. Past and present cultures are examined in their broadest scope, with a focus on human use of natural resources and cultural change and adaptation in different environments. This minor is administered within the Department of Sociology, Criminology, and Criminal Justice.
The Geography-Anthropology Minor is appropriately combined with most degree programs and is excellent preparation for careers in government service, non-profit work, cultural preservation, heritage tourism, education, and research.
Students wishing to pursue the minor in Anthropology-Geography must complete 18 hours of coursework including World Cultural Geography (GEOG 105), World Economic Geography (GEOG 301), Introduction to Archaeology (ANTH 300), Physical Anthropology and Archaeology (ANTH 314), and Cultural Anthropology(ANTH 315). An additional 3 hours must be upper division elective courses in anthropology or geography.