Geography & Urban Studies
https://www.cla.temple.edu/geography-and-urban-studies/
Melissa Gilbert, Chair of Geography and Urban Studies
309 Gladfelter Hall
215-204-4429
mgilbert@temple.edu
Jeremy Mennis, Undergraduate Chair
328 Gladfelter Hall
215-204-4748
jmennis@temple.edu
Vicki Giammarco, Administrator
308 Gladfelter Hall
215-204-7692
vicki.giammarco@temple.edu
Liz Janczewski, Student Services Coordinator
338A Gladfelter Hall
215-204-3386
liz.janczewski@temple.edu
Max Andrucki, Internship Coordinator
325B Gladfelter Hall
215-204-1233
max.andrucki@temple.edu
The Geography and Urban Studies major and minor combine the discipline of geography with the field of urban studies to offer a program that emphasizes geographic theory and methods to the study of urban and regional processes and problems in the U.S. and international settings. Geography and Urban Studies graduates are equipped with the intellectual and methodological tools necessary to understand and address a wide range of environmental, economic, social, and political challenges that are central to the well-being of billions of people in an increasingly connected and urbanizing world.
The major and minor focus on the four themes of globalization, sustainability, social justice, and geographic methods that are increasingly central to understanding and addressing global challenges. Geography and Urban Studies majors learn geographic theory and methods that examine the complexity of human-environmental interactions; the increasing interconnectedness of the global economy, environment, culture and politics; and the importance of place and context in people's daily lives.
Themes
The department has identified several informal areas of concentration to assist students in making course selections. These do not constitute formal requirements but rather provide guidelines for developing a personalized curriculum. Students can focus on the following themes:
- Globalization
- Social Justice
- Urban Sustainability
- Geographical Methods
Career Preparation
Geography and Urban Studies graduates are especially competitive in the job market because of their technical and critical thinking skills, a sense of the complexity of interactions between humans and the environment, and their ability to synthesize information at a variety of scales. Students have the opportunity to gain technical skills in spatial statistics, Geographic Information Systems (GIS), cartographic production and design, and qualitative methods that are highly valued by employers. Our graduates find employment with nonprofits (domestic and international), planning or government agencies, consulting firms, and citizens' organizations. Many also go on to graduate programs in geography, planning, environmental studies, law and other fields. The Department of Labor estimates that employment for geographers, planners and other geographic professions is expected to grow at a rate of twenty percent or more for the next decade.
Programs Offered
We offer a Bachelor of Arts and a minor in Geography and Urban Studies, and a certificate in Geographic Information Systems. Many of our students choose to complete a double major, a minor in a complementary discipline, or the GIS certificate.
Double-Counting Across Curricula Policy
Many students elect to take a combination of the Geography and Urban Studies major or minor and the Environmental Studies major or minor as they are complementary programs, but there are limits in terms of which courses may count for the two curricula:
The ONLY courses that can double-count between the Geography and Urban Studies and Environmental Studies majors are: GUS 3161 Spatial Statistics/ENST 3161 Spatial Statistics; GUS 2197 Research Design in Geography and Urban Studies/ENST 2097 Research Design in Environmental Studies; GUS 3062 Fundamentals of Geographic Information Systems/ENST 3062 Fundamentals of Geographic Information Systems. When used for the major in either program, these courses may not be used to fulfill the minor elective requirements of the other program.
Note that GUS 4198 Senior Seminar in Geography and Urban Studies and ENST 4198 Senior Research Seminar are NOT cross-listed seminars. Anyone pursuing a double major in Geography & Urban Studies and Environmental Studies must take both capstone courses.
Internships
We encourage students to apply their skills and knowledge in a credit-bearing internship that utilizes their academic training. Assignments at planning, social service, environmental and other agencies, as well as at firms that specialize in mapping and geographic data analysis, have helped our graduates in securing employment opportunities. The internship is complemented by a seminar in which students discuss their experiences. Contact Dr. Max Andrucki for more information on this opportunity.
Certificate in Geographic Information Systems (GIS)
This certificate is open to undergraduate students in all majors at Temple University. This four-course certificate introduces students to information technology and spatial analysis. GIS skills are increasingly in demand by employers and according to the Department of Labor, the industry has a high annual growth rate of 35 percent. Fields that use GIS skills include public health, social and natural sciences, journalism, planning, criminal justice, engineering, design, communications and business among others. Students interested in the Certificate in GIS should contact guses@temple.edu.
Accelerated Degrees
B.A. in Geography and Urban Studies + Master of Arts in Geography and Urban Studies
The Master of Arts in Geography and Urban Studies is an innovative, 36-credit program. Our curriculum focuses heavily on the themes of social justice, sustainability, globalization and geographic methods. Graduates go on to pursue further graduate study as well as professional positions related to urban and economic development, environmental sustainability and social justice at the local and international scale.
The PSM in GIS program combines advanced training in GIS core skills with professional development and business ethics to prepare students to enter the GIS workforce. Students learn in-demand technical skills and are introduced to a wide array of software and analytical problems, making them versatile problem solvers and critical thinkers.
B.A. in Geography and Urban Studies + Master of Education in Secondary Education
The Master of Education (MEd) in Secondary Education program focuses on the needs and subject areas of today's secondary school students. This graduate program prepares students to teach grades seven through 12 in their chosen content area such as English, Mathematics, Science, Social Studies or World Languages.
Courses
GUS 0814. Human Ecology. 3 Credit Hours.
Course Attributes: GB
Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.
GUS 0821. Digital Mapping: From Mercator to Mashups. 4 Credit Hours.
Course Attributes: GQ
Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.
GUS 0829. The History & Significance of Race in America. 3 Credit Hours.
Course Attributes: GD
Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.
GUS 0831. Global Cities. 3 Credit Hours.
Course Attributes: GG
Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.
GUS 0842. Sustainable Environments. 3 Credit Hours.
Course Attributes: GS
Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.
GUS 0861. Urban Dynamics: Global, Regional, and Local Connections. 3 Credit Hours.
Course Attributes: GU
Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.
GUS 0862. Development & Globalization. 3 Credit Hours.
Course Attributes: GG
Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.
GUS 0867. World Regions and Cultures: Diversity & Interconnections. 3 Credit Hours.
Course Attributes: GG
Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.
GUS 0921. Honors Digital Mapping: From Mercator to Mashups. 4 Credit Hours.
Cohort Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Cohorts: SCHONORS, UHONORS, UHONORSTR.
Course Attributes: GQ, HO
Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.
GUS 0942. Honors Sustainable Environments. 3 Credit Hours.
Cohort Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Cohorts: SCHONORS, UHONORS, UHONORSTR.
Course Attributes: GS, HO
Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.
GUS 1021. Urban Society: Race, Class, and Community. 3 Credit Hours.
Course Attributes: RN
Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.
GUS 1022. Urban Society. 1 Credit Hour.
Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.
GUS 1025. World Urban Patterns. 3 Credit Hours.
Course Attributes: IS
Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.
GUS 1031. Geography of World Affairs. 3 Credit Hours.
Course Attributes: IS
Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.
GUS 1052. Introduction to the Physical Environment. 4 Credit Hours.
Course Attributes: SB
Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.
GUS 1171. Urban Affairs. 2 Credit Hours.
Repeatability: This course may be repeated for additional credit.
GUS 1172. Urban Affairs. 2 Credit Hours.
Repeatability: This course may be repeated for additional credit.
GUS 1173. Urban Affairs. 2 Credit Hours.
Repeatability: This course may be repeated for additional credit.
GUS 1174. Urban Affairs. 2 Credit Hours.
Repeatability: This course may be repeated for additional credit.
GUS 1175. Urban Affairs. 2 Credit Hours.
Repeatability: This course may be repeated for additional credit.
GUS 1176. Urban Affairs. 2 Credit Hours.
Repeatability: This course may be repeated for additional credit.
GUS 1177. Urban Affairs. 2 Credit Hours.
Repeatability: This course may be repeated for additional credit.
GUS 1651. Environment and Society. 3 Credit Hours.
Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.
GUS 1961. Honors World Urban Patterns. 3 Credit Hours.
Cohort Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Cohorts: SCHONORS, UHONORS, UHONORSTR.
Course Attributes: HO, IS
Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.
GUS 2001. Cities. 3 Credit Hours.
Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.
GUS 2002. Space and Place. 3 Credit Hours.
Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.
GUS 2012. Urban Ethnicity. 3 Credit Hours.
Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.
GUS 2014. Urban Geography. 3 Credit Hours.
Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.
GUS 2017. Population Geography. 3 Credit Hours.
Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.
GUS 2021. Philadelphia Neighborhoods. 3 Credit Hours.
Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.
GUS 2022. Gender, Race, Class, and the City. 3 Credit Hours.
Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.
GUS 2025. American Place. 3 Credit Hours.
Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.
GUS 2031. Geography of the Global Economy. 3 Credit Hours.
Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.
GUS 2032. Urban Systems in a Global Economy. 3 Credit Hours.
Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.
GUS 2051. Urban Environment. 3 Credit Hours.
Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.
GUS 2061. Map Interpretation. 3 Credit Hours.
Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.
GUS 2071. Geography of the United States and Canada. 3 Credit Hours.
Course Attributes: AC
Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.
GUS 2073. African Development. 3 Credit Hours.
Course Attributes: IS
Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.
GUS 2074. East and South Asia. 3 Credit Hours.
Course Attributes: IS
Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.
GUS 2096. Problems of Environmental Quality. 3 Credit Hours.
Course Attributes: WI
Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.
GUS 2097. Urban Systems in the Global Economy. 3 Credit Hours.
Course Attributes: WI
Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.
GUS 2121. Russian Cities. 3 Credit Hours.
Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.
GUS 2197. Research Design in Geography and Urban Studies. 3 Credit Hours.
Course Attributes: WI
Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.
GUS 3000. Special Topics in Geography and Urban Studies. 3 Credit Hours.
Repeatability: This course may be repeated for additional credit.
GUS 3001. Images of the City in Popular Culture. 3 Credit Hours.
Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.
GUS 3005. The City in History. 3 Credit Hours.
Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.
GUS 3011. Historical Geography of North America. 3 Credit Hours.
Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.
GUS 3013. African Americans in Philadelphia. 3 Credit Hours.
Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.
GUS 3014. Urban Social Geography. 3 Credit Hours.
Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.
GUS 3015. The Geographic Basis of Land Use Planning. 3 Credit Hours.
Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.
GUS 3016. Contemporary Issues in City Planning. 3 Credit Hours.
Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.
GUS 3018. Economic Development Planning for Cities. 3 Credit Hours.
Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.
GUS 3019. Community Development Workshop. 3 Credit Hours.
Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.
GUS 3021. International Urbanization. 3 Credit Hours.
Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.
GUS 3025. Urban Crime Patterns. 3 Credit Hours.
Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.
GUS 3044. Urban Housing. 3 Credit Hours.
Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.
GUS 3051. Environmental Policy Issues. 3 Credit Hours.
Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.
GUS 3052. Environmental Problems in Asia. 3 Credit Hours.
Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.
GUS 3053. Climatology. 3 Credit Hours.
Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.
GUS 3054. Energy, Resources, and Conservation. 3 Credit Hours.
Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.
GUS 3055. Geography of Hazards. 3 Credit Hours.
Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.
GUS 3056. Political Ecology. 3 Credit Hours.
Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.
GUS 3057. Sustainable Cities. 3 Credit Hours.
Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.
GUS 3061. Fundamentals of Cartography. 3 Credit Hours.
Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.
GUS 3062. Fundamentals of Geographic Information Systems. 3 Credit Hours.
Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.
GUS 3063. Environmental Remote Sensing. 3 Credit Hours.
Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.
Pre-requisites:
ENST 3062|Minimum Grade of C-|May not be taken concurrently
OR GUS 3062|Minimum Grade of C-|May not be taken concurrently.
GUS 3064. Qualitative Methods. 3 Credit Hours.
Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.
Pre-requisites:
GUS 2197|Minimum Grade of C-|May not be taken concurrently
OR ENST 2097|Minimum Grade of C-|May not be taken concurrently.
GUS 3065. Census Analysis with GIS. 3 Credit Hours.
Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.
GUS 3067. GIS and Location Analysis. 3 Credit Hours.
Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.
GUS 3069. GIS for Health Data Analysis. 3 Credit Hours.
Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.
Pre-requisites:
GUS 3161|Minimum Grade of C-|May not be taken concurrently
OR ENST 3161|Minimum Grade of C-|May not be taken concurrently
OR SOC 3201|Minimum Grade of C-|May not be taken concurrently
OR STAT 2103|Minimum Grade of C-|May not be taken concurrently
OR PBHL 2219|Minimum Grade of C-|May not be taken concurrently
OR CJ 2602|Minimum Grade of C-|May not be taken concurrently
OR ANTH 3771|Minimum Grade of C-|May not be taken concurrently.
GUS 3071. Health Geography. 3 Credit Hours.
Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.
GUS 3073. Geography of Travel and Tourism. 3 Credit Hours.
Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.
GUS 3074. Sicily: The Land, People and Identity. 3 Credit Hours.
Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.
GUS 3075. Comparative Regional Development. 3 Credit Hours.
Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.
GUS 3076. Metropolitan Tokyo. 3 Credit Hours.
Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.
GUS 3085. Internship in Geography and Urban Studies. 3 Credit Hours.
Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.
GUS 3096. Urban Policy Analysis. 3 Credit Hours.
Course Attributes: WI
Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.
GUS 3097. Environment & Development. 3 Credit Hours.
Course Attributes: WI
Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.
GUS 3161. Spatial Statistics. 3 Credit Hours.
Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.
Pre-requisites:
MATH 0701|Minimum Grade of C-|May not be taken concurrently
OR MATH 0702|Minimum Grade of C-|May not be taken concurrently
OR MATH 1021|Minimum Grade of C-|May not be taken concurrently
OR MATH 1022|Minimum Grade of C-|May not be taken concurrently
OR MATH 1041|Minimum Grade of C-|May not be taken concurrently
OR MC3 Y|May not be taken concurrently
OR MC3A Y|May not be taken concurrently
OR MC3S Y|May not be taken concurrently
OR MC4 Y|May not be taken concurrently
OR MC5 Y|May not be taken concurrently
OR MC6 Y|May not be taken concurrently
OR MC6A Y|May not be taken concurrently
OR MATW Y|May not be taken concurrently.
GUS 3307. Transportation & Culture. 3 Credit Hours.
Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.
GUS 3314. Food Studies: A Geographical Perspective. 3 Credit Hours.
Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.
GUS 3900. Honors Special Topics. 3 Credit Hours.
Cohort Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Cohorts: SCHONORS, UHONORS, UHONORSTR.
Course Attributes: HO
Repeatability: This course may be repeated for additional credit.
GUS 3928. Honors Metropolitan Tokyo. 3 Credit Hours.
Cohort Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Cohorts: SCHONORS, UHONORS, UHONORSTR.
Course Attributes: HO
Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.
GUS 4000. Special Topics in Geography and Urban Studies. 3 Credit Hours.
Class Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Classes: Junior 60 to 89 Credits, Senior 90 to 119 Credits, Senior/Fifth Year 120+ Credits.
Repeatability: This course may be repeated for additional credit.
GUS 4013. Drugs in Urban Society. 3 Credit Hours.
Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.
GUS 4017. Health and Environment Seminar. 3 Credit Hours.
Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.
GUS 4061. Cartographic Production. 3 Credit Hours.
Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.
Pre-requisites:
GUS 3061|Minimum Grade of C-|May not be taken concurrently
OR ENST 3061|Minimum Grade of C-|May not be taken concurrently.
GUS 4064. Web Mapping and GIS. 3 Credit Hours.
Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.
Pre-requisites:
GUS 3062|Minimum Grade of C-|May not be taken concurrently
OR ENST 3062|Minimum Grade of C-|May not be taken concurrently.
GUS 4065. Urban Geographic Information Systems. 3 Credit Hours.
Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.
Pre-requisites:
GUS 3062|Minimum Grade of C-|May not be taken concurrently
OR ENST 3062|Minimum Grade of C-|May not be taken concurrently.
GUS 4066. Environmental GIS. 3 Credit Hours.
Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.
Pre-requisites:
GUS 3062|Minimum Grade of C-|May not be taken concurrently
OR ENST 3062|Minimum Grade of C-|May not be taken concurrently.
GUS 4068. Census Analysis with GIS. 3 Credit Hours.
Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.
Pre-requisites:
GUS 3062|Minimum Grade of C-|May not be taken concurrently
OR ENST 3062|Minimum Grade of C-|May not be taken concurrently.
GUS 4072. Advanced Remote Sensing. 3 Credit Hours.
Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.
Pre-requisites:
(GUS 3062|Minimum Grade of C-|May not be taken concurrently
OR ENST 3062|Minimum Grade of C-|May not be taken concurrently)
AND (GUS 3063|Minimum Grade of C-|May not be taken concurrently
OR ENST 3063|Minimum Grade of C-|May not be taken concurrently)
GUS 4073. Geovisualization. 3 Credit Hours.
Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.
Pre-requisites:
GUS 3161|Minimum Grade of C-|May not be taken concurrently
OR ENST 3161|Minimum Grade of C-|May not be taken concurrently.
GUS 4078. Research Methods in Environmental Studies. 3 Credit Hours.
Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.
Pre-requisites:
(GUS 1051|Minimum Grade of C-|May not be taken concurrently
OR GUS 1951|Minimum Grade of C-|May not be taken concurrently
OR ENST 1051|Minimum Grade of C-|May not be taken concurrently
OR ENST 1951|Minimum Grade of C-|May not be taken concurrently)
AND (SOC 1167|Minimum Grade of C-|May not be taken concurrently
OR PSY 1167|Minimum Grade of C-|May not be taken concurrently
OR MATH 1013|Minimum Grade of C-|May not be taken concurrently
OR STAT 2101|Minimum Grade of C-|May not be taken concurrently
OR GUS 3161|Minimum Grade of C-|May not be taken concurrently
OR SOC 1967|Minimum Grade of C-|May not be taken concurrently)
GUS 4082. Independent Study Environmental Geography. 3 Credit Hours.
Repeatability: This course may be repeated for additional credit.
GUS 4087. Mapping Practicum I. 3 Credit Hours.
Repeatability: This course may be repeated for additional credit.
Pre-requisites:
GUS 3061|Minimum Grade of C-|May not be taken concurrently.
GUS 4097. Gender, Race, Class, and the City. 3 Credit Hours.
Class Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Classes: Junior 60 to 89 Credits, Senior 90 to 119 Credits, Senior/Fifth Year 120+ Credits.
Course Attributes: WI
Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.
GUS 4182. Independent Study Research. 1 to 3 Credit Hour.
Repeatability: This course may be repeated for additional credit.
GUS 4198. Senior Seminar in Geography and Urban Studies. 3 Credit Hours.
Field of Study Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Fields of study: Environmental Studies, Geography/Urban Studies.
Class Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Classes: Senior 90 to 119 Credits, Senior/Fifth Year 120+ Credits.
Course Attributes: WI
Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.
Pre-requisites:
GUS 2197|Minimum Grade of C-|May not be taken concurrently.
GUS 4282. Independent Study Human Geography. 1 to 3 Credit Hour.
Repeatability: This course may be repeated for additional credit.
GUS 4382. Independent Study Urban Policy. 1 to 3 Credit Hour.
Repeatability: This course may be repeated for additional credit.
GUS 4917. Honors: Health and Environment Seminar. 3 Credit Hours.
Cohort Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Cohorts: UHONORS, UHONORSTR.
Course Attributes: HO
Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.
GUS 4982. Honors Independent Study Environmental Geography. 1 to 3 Credit Hour.
Cohort Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Cohorts: SCHONORS, UHONORS, UHONORSTR.
Course Attributes: HO
Repeatability: This course may be repeated for additional credit.