Geography & Urban Studies
https://liberalarts.temple.edu/academics/departments-and-programs/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 7 through 12 in their chosen content area such as English, Mathematics, Science, Social Studies or World Languages.