Please note:
To view the current Academic Calendar, go to www.sfu.ca/students/calendar.html.
Human Geography Major
Students must complete 120 units including 45 upper division units.
Transfer students may enter the program before fulfilling all lower division requirements. See the advisor as soon as possible about program entry.
Students should consult with the advisor when formally declaring a geography major, or risk prolonging their program.
Program Requirements
Students complete 120 units, as specified below.
Lower Division Requirements
Students complete all of
A geographical introduction to how humans shape our world, with attention also given to how it shapes us. Themes may include: culture, economic activities, environmental change, globalization, politics, population, resources, and urbanization. Breadth-Humanities/Social Sciences.
Section | Instructor | Day/Time | Location |
---|---|---|---|
Susan Owen |
Sep 9 β Dec 8, 2020: Thu, 2:30β5:20 p.m.
|
Burnaby |
An introduction to landforms, climates, soils and vegetation; their origins, distributions, interrelationships and roles in the ecosystem. Laboratory work and field trips are included. Breadth-Science.
Section | Instructor | Day/Time | Location |
---|---|---|---|
Andrew Perkins |
TBD | ||
D101 |
Sep 9 β Dec 8, 2020: Tue, 12:30β2:20 p.m.
|
Burnaby |
|
D102 |
Sep 9 β Dec 8, 2020: Tue, 2:30β4:20 p.m.
|
Burnaby |
|
D103 |
Sep 9 β Dec 8, 2020: Tue, 4:30β6:20 p.m.
|
Burnaby |
|
D104 |
Sep 9 β Dec 8, 2020: Thu, 10:30 a.m.β12:20 p.m.
|
Burnaby |
|
D105 |
Sep 9 β Dec 8, 2020: Wed, 10:30 a.m.β12:20 p.m.
|
Burnaby |
|
D106 |
Sep 9 β Dec 8, 2020: Wed, 2:30β4:20 p.m.
|
Burnaby |
|
D107 |
Sep 9 β Dec 8, 2020: Wed, 4:30β6:20 p.m.
|
Burnaby |
|
D108 |
Sep 9 β Dec 8, 2020: Thu, 12:30β2:20 p.m.
|
Burnaby |
|
D109 |
Sep 9 β Dec 8, 2020: Thu, 2:30β4:20 p.m.
|
Burnaby |
|
D110 |
Sep 9 β Dec 8, 2020: Fri, 10:30 a.m.β12:20 p.m.
|
Burnaby |
|
D111 |
Sep 9 β Dec 8, 2020: Wed, 12:30β2:20 p.m.
|
Burnaby |
|
D112 |
Sep 9 β Dec 8, 2020: Fri, 12:30β2:20 p.m.
|
Burnaby |
The fundamentals of economics geography, the study of the forces that shape the arrangement of economic activity in the real world. Prerequisite: GEOG 100. Breadth-Social Sciences.
Section | Instructor | Day/Time | Location |
---|---|---|---|
Alex Clapp |
Dec 11, 2020: Fri, 12:00β12:00 p.m.
|
Burnaby |
|
D101 | TBD |
An introduction to key concepts and contexts in contemporary geographical approaches to social practices, meanings, and struggles. Prerequisite: GEOG 100. Breadth-Social Sciences.
Section | Instructor | Day/Time | Location |
---|---|---|---|
Margaret Ramirez |
Sep 9 β Dec 8, 2020: Tue, 12:30β2:20 p.m.
|
Burnaby |
|
D101 |
Sep 9 β Dec 8, 2020: Tue, 2:30β3:20 p.m.
|
Burnaby |
|
D103 |
Sep 9 β Dec 8, 2020: Tue, 4:30β5:20 p.m.
|
Burnaby |
An introduction to key concepts and themes in contemporary geographical approaches to cities and urbanization. Prerequisite: GEOG 100 or 102. Breadth-Social Sciences.
Section | Instructor | Day/Time | Location |
---|---|---|---|
Eugene McCann |
Dec 15, 2020: Tue, 5:00β6:00 p.m.
Sep 9 β Dec 8, 2020: Fri, 10:30 a.m.β12:20 p.m. |
Burnaby Burnaby |
|
D101 |
Sep 9 β Dec 8, 2020: Fri, 12:30β1:20 p.m.
|
Burnaby |
|
D102 |
Sep 9 β Dec 8, 2020: Fri, 1:30β2:20 p.m.
|
Burnaby |
An introduction to what geographers do in applied contexts, how geographic concepts relate to applied skills, and how to communicate what geography is and why geographical approaches are useful. The course will emphasize written and oral communication skills through regular writing assignments, feedback, and direct engagement with professional geographers. Prerequisite: One of: GEOG 100, GEOG 102, GEOG 104, GEOG 111. Writing.
and one of
An exploration of the processes that shape Earth's surface and the landforms that result. Prerequisite: GEOG 111 or EASC 101. Quantitative/Breadth-Science.
Section | Instructor | Day/Time | Location |
---|---|---|---|
Jeremy Venditti |
Sep 9 β Dec 8, 2020: Mon, 12:30β2:20 p.m.
|
Burnaby |
|
D101 |
Sep 9 β Dec 8, 2020: Mon, 2:30β4:20 p.m.
|
Burnaby |
|
D102 |
Sep 9 β Dec 8, 2020: Mon, 4:30β6:20 p.m.
|
Burnaby |
|
D103 |
Sep 9 β Dec 8, 2020: Tue, 10:30 a.m.β12:20 p.m.
|
Burnaby |
An examination of the basic principles and processes governing the Earth's weather and climate. Topics include: radiation, greenhouse effect, clouds, precipitation, atmospheric circulation, mid-latitude cyclones, tropical storms, climate change. Prerequisite: GEOG 111. Quantitative.
Section | Instructor | Day/Time | Location |
---|---|---|---|
Wolf Read |
Sep 9 β Dec 8, 2020: Thu, 12:30β2:20 p.m.
|
Burnaby |
|
D101 |
Sep 9 β Dec 8, 2020: Thu, 2:30β4:20 p.m.
|
Burnaby |
|
D102 |
Sep 9 β Dec 8, 2020: Thu, 4:30β6:20 p.m.
|
Burnaby |
|
D103 |
Sep 9 β Dec 8, 2020: Fri, 8:30β10:20 a.m.
|
Burnaby |
An introduction to the planetary biosphere, its living organisms, and their interactions with each other and the Earth system. Prerequisite: GEOG 111.
Section | Instructor | Day/Time | Location |
---|---|---|---|
Audrey Pearson |
Sep 9 β Dec 8, 2020: Tue, 2:30β4:20 p.m.
|
Burnaby |
|
D101 |
Sep 9 β Dec 8, 2020: Wed, 10:30 a.m.β12:20 p.m.
|
Burnaby |
|
D102 |
Sep 9 β Dec 8, 2020: Wed, 12:30β2:20 p.m.
|
Burnaby |
|
D103 |
Sep 9 β Dec 8, 2020: Wed, 2:30β4:20 p.m.
|
Burnaby |
and both of
An introduction to basic quantitative techniques for the collection of geographic data. Topics include describing data, gathering samples, theoretical distributions, linking samples and populations, testing significance, and exploring spatial relationships all within practical, real-world application contexts. Prerequisite: GEOG 100 or 111. Quantitative.
Section | Instructor | Day/Time | Location |
---|---|---|---|
Shivanand Balram |
Sep 9 β Dec 8, 2020: Mon, 2:30β4:20 p.m.
|
Burnaby |
|
D101 |
Sep 9 β Dec 8, 2020: Tue, 8:30β10:20 a.m.
|
Burnaby |
|
D102 |
Sep 9 β Dec 8, 2020: Tue, 12:30β2:20 p.m.
|
Burnaby |
|
D103 |
Sep 9 β Dec 8, 2020: Tue, 2:30β4:20 p.m.
|
Burnaby |
A basic overview of Geographical Information Systems and Science; GIS software, hardware, data structures and models; spatial data, operations and algorithms; practical applications and limitations. Prerequisite: GEOG 100 or 111 or permission of instructor. Students with credit for GEOG 354 may not take this course for further credit. Quantitative.
Section | Instructor | Day/Time | Location |
---|---|---|---|
Nicholas Hedley |
Sep 9 β Dec 8, 2020: Mon, 10:30 a.m.β12:20 p.m.
|
Burnaby |
|
D101 |
Sep 9 β Dec 8, 2020: Mon, 12:30β2:20 p.m.
|
Burnaby |
|
D102 |
Sep 9 β Dec 8, 2020: Mon, 2:30β4:20 p.m.
|
Burnaby |
|
D103 |
Sep 9 β Dec 8, 2020: Tue, 10:30 a.m.β12:20 p.m.
|
Burnaby |
|
D104 |
Sep 9 β Dec 8, 2020: Wed, 8:30β10:20 a.m.
|
Burnaby |
and one of
Introduces the nature and goals of Indigenous Studies as an academic discipline that emphasizes cultures and homelands of First Peoples. Students with credit for FNST 101 may not take this course for further credit. Breadth-Humanities/Social Sciences.
Section | Instructor | Day/Time | Location |
---|---|---|---|
Distance Education | |||
Joyce Schneider |
Sep 9 β Dec 8, 2020: Wed, 9:30β10:20 a.m.
Sep 9 β Dec 8, 2020: Fri, 8:30β10:20 a.m. |
Burnaby Burnaby |
|
Bryan Myles |
Sep 9 β Dec 8, 2020: Thu, 2:30β5:20 p.m.
|
Burnaby |
|
Madeleine Reddon Potvin |
Sep 9 β Dec 8, 2020: Mon, 5:30β8:20 p.m.
|
Burnaby |
|
Joyce Schneider |
Sep 9 β Dec 8, 2020: Mon, 9:30 a.m.β12:20 p.m.
|
Burnaby |
Study of Indigenous peoples of BC and effects of historical and political processes on their livelihoods and homelands. Overview of indigeneity and connection to urbanization. Examines linguistic diversity and endangered state of BC First Nations languages; Indigenous ethnography; land rights movement; traditional cultural practices/beliefs; and social, educational and economic disparity. Prerequisite: Recommended: INDG 101. Students with credit for FNST 286 or SA 286 may not take this course for further credit.
Upper Division Requirements
At least one upper division course must be a 400-level course. One of the choices must also be a W course to satisfy the student's upper division Writing requirement.
Economy & Politics (choose 3)
Examines the historical development, spatial organization, and social impact of market function, firm structure and operation, economic policy, and regulation and deregulation at various scales from local to global, from a geographical perspective. Prerequisite: At least 45 units, including GEOG 100.
An analysis of the use and development of natural resources from a geographic, economic and institutional perspective. Prerequisite: At least 45 units, including GEOG 100. Students with credit for GEOG 322 may not take this course for further credit. Writing.
Section | Instructor | Day/Time | Location |
---|---|---|---|
Alex Clapp |
Sep 9 β Dec 8, 2020: Tue, 2:30β4:20 p.m.
Dec 16, 2020: Wed, 12:00β12:00 p.m. |
Burnaby Burnaby |
|
D101 |
Sep 9 β Dec 8, 2020: Tue, 4:30β6:20 p.m.
|
Burnaby |
|
D102 |
Sep 9 β Dec 8, 2020: Wed, 12:30β2:20 p.m.
|
Burnaby |
|
D103 |
Sep 9 β Dec 8, 2020: Wed, 2:30β4:20 p.m.
|
Burnaby |
An examination of contemporary debates in Labour Geography, surveying geographical approaches to work and employment. Lectures will explore the relationships between space, place and labour market change in the context of globalization and uneven development. Prerequisite: At least 45 units, including GEOG 100 or LBST 101. Students with credit for LBST 328 may not take this course for further credit.
Examines the historical development of the material spaces and places affected by changing capitalist dynamics and the dominant theories through which they are explained, legitimized, and criticized, from a geographical perspective. Prerequisite: GEOG 321. Students who received credit for GEOG 421 (STT), Advanced Contemporary Capitalism, may not take this course for further credit.
An exploration of our political, social, and economic systems, their ecological limitations, and related questions of inequality. It explores the histories, dynamics, logics, effects, and limitations of these systems. The evolution and effects of capitalism, specifically with respect to nonhuman natures, will be a focus. Prerequisite: GEOG 321 or GEOG 389W.
Section | Instructor | Day/Time | Location |
---|---|---|---|
Rosemary-Claire Collard |
Dec 10, 2020: Thu, 11:59β11:59 p.m.
|
Burnaby |
|
D101 |
Sep 9 β Dec 8, 2020: Mon, 4:30β6:20 p.m.
|
Burnaby |
An examination of property, particularly in relation to land, with an emphasis on its social, political, and spatial dimensions. Prerequisite: 60 units, including eight of upper division geography. Students with credit for GEOG 440W may not take this course for further credit.
Society & Space (choose 3)
An exploration of human response to our hazardous Earth. The dynamic causes of natural hazards such as earthquakes, hurricanes, landslides and floods will be illustrated. Students will gain an appreciation for how humans perceive, predict, and recover from hazards and how their effects may be reduced. Prerequisite: One of GEOG 100, 104 or 111 or one of EASC 101 or 104.
Section | Instructor | Day/Time | Location |
---|---|---|---|
Andrew Perkins |
TBD | ||
D101 |
Sep 9 β Dec 8, 2020: Thu, 12:30β2:20 p.m.
|
Burnaby |
|
D103 |
Sep 9 β Dec 8, 2020: Thu, 4:30β6:20 p.m.
|
Burnaby |
Spaces, places, landscapes, and scales of consumption emphasizing commodity cultures, marketing, retail, ideology, subjectivity, objects, technology, and tourism. Prerequisite: At least 45 units, including GEOG 100.
Examines the reciprocal influences between humans and nature through time. Topics may include settlement, agriculture, technology, politics, urbanization, science, and conservation. Prerequisite: At least 45 units, including GEOG 100 or REM 100. Students with credit for HIST 377 may not take this course for further credit.
Section | Instructor | Day/Time | Location |
---|---|---|---|
Joseph Taylor |
Sep 9 β Dec 8, 2020: Tue, 8:30β11:20 a.m.
|
Burnaby |
|
D101 |
Sep 9 β Dec 8, 2020: Wed, 12:30β1:20 p.m.
|
Burnaby |
|
D102 |
Sep 9 β Dec 8, 2020: Wed, 2:30β3:20 p.m.
|
Burnaby |
|
D103 |
Sep 9 β Dec 8, 2020: Wed, 3:30β4:20 p.m.
|
Burnaby |
The world is on the move. Migrants seeking better opportunities cross paths with refugees fleeing persecution. Some are helped and welcomed, many encounter barriers and threats, while identities, including class, race, gender, sexuality, mediate their prospects. This course's geographic perspective clarifies these complexities by combining conceptual analyses with contemporary cases. Prerequisite: At least 45 units, including GEOG 100.
Section | Instructor | Day/Time | Location |
---|---|---|---|
May Farrales |
Sep 9 β Dec 8, 2020: Mon, 10:30 a.m.β12:20 p.m.
|
Burnaby |
|
D101 |
Sep 9 β Dec 8, 2020: Mon, 12:30β2:20 p.m.
|
Burnaby |
|
D102 |
Sep 9 β Dec 8, 2020: Mon, 2:30β4:20 p.m.
|
Burnaby |
|
D103 |
Sep 9 β Dec 8, 2020: Wed, 10:30 a.m.β12:20 p.m.
|
Burnaby |
Geographical perspectives on gender and sexuality. This course investigates feminist theory in geography and its analysis of home, city, nation, state, global economy, colonialism, and migration. Prerequisite: At least 45 units, including GEOG 100.
An investigation into the major themes and arguments in the environmental histories of North America, emphasizing how different individuals and groups have used, perceived, and managed their environments over time. Prerequisite: 60 units including eight of upper division geography. Students with credit for HIST 432 or HIST 485 in 2001-3 may not take this course for further credit.
Urbanization & Urbanism (choose 3)
An empirical and theoretical examination of the geographical aspects of transportation systems. Prerequisite: At least 45 units, including GEOG 100.
Current concepts and approaches in urban geography regarding the development of built environments. Central concerns are the relationships between urbanization and the state, capital, and civil society at various scales. Prerequisite: At least 45 units, including GEOG 100. Students with credit for GEOG 362 may not take this course for further credit. Writing.
An introduction to the major approaches and key ideas of the professions of urban governance; urban planning and urban policy. Through a focus on contemporary theory, process-based understanding, and specific issues and examples, the course examines key trends and interventions and promotes critical reflection on urban development. Prerequisite: At least 45 units, including GEOG 100.
Section | Instructor | Day/Time | Location |
---|---|---|---|
Leanne Roderick |
Sep 9 β Dec 8, 2020: Thu, 2:30β4:20 p.m.
Dec 10, 2020: Thu, 7:30β7:30 p.m. |
Burnaby Burnaby |
|
D101 |
Sep 9 β Dec 8, 2020: Thu, 12:30β2:20 p.m.
|
Burnaby |
|
D102 |
Sep 9 β Dec 8, 2020: Thu, 4:30β6:20 p.m.
|
Burnaby |
|
D103 |
Sep 9 β Dec 8, 2020: Thu, 10:30 a.m.β12:20 p.m.
|
Burnaby |
An examination of urban geographies of crisis, concentrating on what crisis is, what it is used for, how it is differentially experienced, and how it is distributed unevenly. Case studies of environmental, economic, social, and political crises are the main focus. The course concludes by addressing the future(s) of cities. Prerequisite: At least 45 units, including GEOG 100.
An exploration of how food is related to cities, giving particular attention to the culture and politics of food production, distribution, and consumption. Prerequisite: At least 45 units, including GEOG 100 or REM 100.
Section | Instructor | Day/Time | Location |
---|---|---|---|
Christiana Miewald |
TBD | ||
D101 |
Sep 9 β Dec 8, 2020: Thu, 10:30 a.m.β12:20 p.m.
|
Burnaby |
|
D102 |
Sep 9 β Dec 8, 2020: Thu, 12:30β2:20 p.m.
|
Burnaby |
An exploration of the relationships between the development of cities, transportation, and infrastructure from an economic geography perspective. Greater Vancouver provides a location to explore, apply, and critique the theoretical perspectives presented in seminar. Prerequisite: One of GEOG 323, 324, 362, or 363.
An exploration of how cities shape the contemporary globalized world, focusing on key contemporary academic approaches. Highlights geographical and multi-disciplinary work on global-urban relations, networks, structures, and mobilities. Prerequisite: 60 credit hours, including Geog 362. Students who have taken GEOG 442 STT, Global Cities, may not take this course for further credit.
Methods & Analysis (choose 1)
Elements of cartographic analysis, design and visualization, with an emphasis on digital mapping, animation techniques, cartographic software and internet mapping. Prerequisite: GEOG 255. Quantitative.
Section | Instructor | Day/Time | Location |
---|---|---|---|
Alex Smith |
Sep 9 β Dec 8, 2020: Thu, 12:30β2:20 p.m.
|
Burnaby |
|
D101 |
Sep 9 β Dec 8, 2020: Thu, 2:30β4:20 p.m.
|
Burnaby |
|
D102 |
Sep 9 β Dec 8, 2020: Fri, 8:30β10:20 a.m.
|
Burnaby |
|
D103 |
Sep 9 β Dec 8, 2020: Fri, 10:30 a.m.β12:20 p.m.
|
Burnaby |
Advanced quantitative techniques for spatial analysis of geographic data and patterns. Topics include geostatistics, spatial interpolation, autocorrelation, kriging, and their use in geographic problem solving with spatial analysis software. Prerequisite: GEOG 251 or one of STAT 201, 203 (formerly 103), 205, or 270. Quantitative.
An examination of technical components of GIS. Topics include spatial representations, generalization and data management; computational algebra and set theory; digital surfaces and terrain models. Prerequisite: GEOG 255. Quantitative.
Section | Instructor | Day/Time | Location |
---|---|---|---|
Aateka Shashank |
Sep 9 β Dec 8, 2020: Mon, 8:30β10:20 a.m.
|
Burnaby |
|
D101 |
Sep 9 β Dec 8, 2020: Mon, 10:30 a.m.β12:20 p.m.
|
Burnaby |
|
D102 |
Sep 9 β Dec 8, 2020: Mon, 12:30β2:20 p.m.
|
Burnaby |
|
D103 |
Sep 9 β Dec 8, 2020: Tue, 8:30β10:20 a.m.
|
Burnaby |
3D geovisualization methods, concepts and theory. Bridges conventional geographic visualization with emerging 3D methods. Emphasizes user-centered design and cognitive implications. Prerequisite: GEOG 255.
Section | Instructor | Day/Time | Location |
---|---|---|---|
Nicholas Hedley |
Sep 9 β Dec 8, 2020: Mon, 12:30β2:20 p.m.
|
Burnaby |
|
D101 |
Sep 9 β Dec 8, 2020: Mon, 2:30β4:20 p.m.
|
Burnaby |
|
D102 |
Sep 9 β Dec 8, 2020: Mon, 4:30β6:20 p.m.
|
Burnaby |
and any additional upper division courses, in geography or across the University, will be required to complete a minimum of 45 upper division units.
Writing, Quantitative, and Breadth Requirements
Students admitted to Ά‘ΟγΤ°AV beginning in the fall 2006 term must meet writing, quantitative and breadth requirements as part of any degree program they may undertake. See Writing, Quantitative, and Breadth Requirements for university-wide information.
WQB Graduation Requirements
A grade of C- or better is required to earn W, Q or B credit
Requirement |
Units |
Notes | |
W - Writing |
6 |
Must include at least one upper division course, taken at Ά‘ΟγΤ°AV within the student’s major subject | |
Q - Quantitative |
6 |
Q courses may be lower or upper division | |
B - Breadth |
18 |
Designated Breadth | Must be outside the student’s major subject, and may be lower or upper division 6 units Social Sciences: B-Soc 6 units Humanities: B-Hum 6 units Sciences: B-Sci |
6 |
Additional Breadth | 6 units outside the student’s major subject (may or may not be B-designated courses, and will likely help fulfil individual degree program requirements) Students choosing to complete a joint major, joint honours, double major, two extended minors, an extended minor and a minor, or two minors may satisfy the breadth requirements (designated or not designated) with courses completed in either one or both program areas. |
Residency Requirements and Transfer Credit
- At least half of the program's total units must be earned through Ά‘ΟγΤ°AV study.
- At least two thirds of the program's total upper division units must be earned through Ά‘ΟγΤ°AV study.
Elective Courses
In addition to the courses listed above, students should consult an academic advisor to plan the remaining required elective courses.