Why study geography?
The study of geography is about learning “how” to discover the answers to the big questions of “why” particular events occurred “where” they did. Geographers use advanced technological tools and analytical processes to help understand some of the key issues of our world such as population growth, climate, and energy use. The analytical skills you will learn in a geography class are the kinds of skills that employers demand. Careers in geography are available in education, business, government, and the nonprofit sectors of the economy. Geographers are needed in everything from agriculture to city planning to environmental sustainability projects.
At Parkland, you'll have the advantage of small class sizes, taught by master faculty—never teaching assistants. Your success is our priority.
Courses
Physical Geography (GEO 101): Emphasizes elements of the physical environment, including atmospheric, climatic, hydrologic and geologic processes; the spatial variations of these processes; and the inter-relationship between these processes and the human environment.
World Geography (GEO 140): a survey of world regions with an emphasis on cultural responses to the physical environment.
Geography of Underdeveloped Regions (GEO 143*): pays special attention to technologically underdeveloped regions of the world with a focus on population and cultural landscapes.
Geography of the United States (GEO 144): explores the historical, physical, and economic bases of regional divisions (Canterbury program only).
Economic Geography (GEO 200*): examines the geographic patterns seen in the uneven distribution of goods and services worldwide.
*Satisfies non-Western culture requirement
Will my classes transfer?
GEO 140, 143, and 200 will fulfill the Social and Behavioral Sciences general education requirement at Illinois public universities. Parkland College classes with an even middle digit (such as ENG 101, MAT 128, and BIO 141) are accepted for transfer as general education classes, major courses, or electives as determined by the transfer institution.
For more information about transferring, speak with an academic advisor and visit the Parkland Course Matrix.
Curriculum
Find out more information about how these courses fit into: