Geography and Environmental Studies Courses
Course Descriptions
GES 100
World Regional Geography
An introduction to the human and natural environments from a geographical perspective. The fundamental themes, of human and physical geography are examined by focusing upon global issues and regional patterns.
*Note: Students may receive credit for only one of GES 100 and GEOG 100.*
GES 120
Human Geography
Explanation of human placement in and interaction with the natural environment; assessment of concepts, processes, and patterns as related to distribution of human phenomena, including economic activity and settlement types.
*Note: Students may receive credit for only one of GES 120, GEOG 120, or GEOG 220.*
GES 121
Physical Geography
The physical basis of geography; climate, landforms, and the geography of water, soil, and plants. Emphasis is placed on processes that account for the earth's natural landscapes and their geographic variability.
*Note: Students may receive credit for only one of GES 121, GEOG 121, or GEOG 221.*
GES 200
Introduction to Environmental Studies
This course focuses on environmental issues studied from a geographical perspective. It introduces students to the philosophical, socio-economic, physical, and technological foundations underlying contemporary environmental issues.
***Prerequisite: GES 120 and GES 121 or permission of the Department Head.***
*Note: Students may receive credit for only one of GES 200, ENST 200 or GEOG 226.*
GES 203
Introduction to Geographic Information Systems
This course offers an introduction to basic concepts and techniques of geographic information systems (GIS) used for descriptive geostatistical analysis and visualization of spatial data. Operational training in GIS is included; students should be very comfortable with Windows.
***Prerequisite: Any 100-level GES course or permission of the Department Head.***
*Note: Students may only receive credit for one of GES 203 and GEOG 203.*
GES 207
Basics of Map and Air Photo Interpretations
Introduction to the interpretation of various kinds of maps, air photos and satellite images.
***Prerequisite: Any 100-level GES course or permission of the Department Head.***
*Note: Students may receive credit for only one of GES 207 and GEOG 207.*
GES 210
Canada
A systematic and regional geography of Canada. Elements of the natural environment; the human response in terms of territorial evolution, settlement, and economic activity. Regions, regional identities, and regionalism.
***Prerequisite: Any 100-level GES course or permission of the Department Head.***
*Note: Students may receive credit for only of GES 210 and GEOG 210.*
GES 218
United States of America
A systematic and regional approach to the geography of the United States, emphasizing population movements and distribution, the natural environment, economic geography, and regional studies.
*** Prerequisite: Any 100-level GES course or permission of the Department Head.***
*Note: Students may receive credit for only one of GES 218, GEOG 218, or GEOG 318.*
GES 222
Global Economies, Local Lives
An introduction to economic geography, tracing the processes of economic globalization and localization. Emphasis on the development of the global economy as it plays out in local places with particular histories and cultures. Focus on the crisis of Fordism and the restructuring of resource industries, manufacturing, services and finance.
***Prerequisite: GES 100 or GEOG 120 or permission of the Department Head.***
*Note: Students may only receive credit for one of GES 222, GEOG 222, or GEOG 322.*
GES 232
Geography of Recreation and Tourism
Employing multiple analytical approaches, this course examines the economic, social, cultural, and environmental factors and processes of recreation and tourism, and their implications on the environment, space, and place, at a variety of geographical and temporal scales.
***Prerequisite: GES 100 or GES 120, or permission of the Department Head.***
*Note: Students may receive credit for only one of GES 232, GEOG 232, or GEOG 332.*
GES 246
Urban Geography
The course examines cities as systems viewed at global, national, and local levels. Economic and social patterns and linkages are stressed. Special emphasis is placed on the Canadian urban system and the urban geography of Regina.
***Prerequisite: GES 100 or GES 120 or permission of the Department Head.***
*Note: Students may receive credit for only one of GES 246, GEOG 246, or GEOG 324.*
GES 297AA
From Terrains to Taverns: The Geographies of Alcohol
An analysis of the Geographies of alcohol, including the interplay of cultural and physical forces which shape the production, distribution and consumption of alcohol at the global, regional and local scale.
*Note: Students may receive credit for only one of GES 297AA and GEOG 297AA.*
GES 297AB
Environment and Society
This course introduces students to sociological perspectives on the relationship between society and the natural environment. The course examines the environmental impact of the actions of individuals, businesses and governments. Specific topics might include climate change, environmental degradation, sustainability and environmental movements and conflicts.
***Prerequisite: Completion of 12 credit hours or GES 120 or GES 121 or permission of department head.***
*Note: Students may receive credit for one of GES 297AB or SOC 230.*
GES 303
Geographical Information Systems and Science
Concepts and theories behind spatial data analysis using geographic information systems (GIS). Topics include: spatial models, solving spatial issues using raster and vector analysis methods, geostatistics, and geovisualization.
***Prerequisite: GES 203 or permission of the Department Head.***
*Note: Students may only receive credit for one of GES 303, GEOG 303, or GEOG 405.*
GES 307
Digital Cartography
Introduction to digital map making: map projections, scale and generalization, methods of representing objects by symbols, map compilation, and planning of legends.
***Prerequisite: GES 207 or permission of the Department Head.***
*Note: Students may receive credit for only one of GES 307 and GEOG 307.*
GES 309
Introduction to Remote Sensing in Geography
Basic concepts of remote sensing, a review of sensors and their images, emphasis on image interpretation and analysis, and introduction to application areas in geographic studies.
***Prerequisite: GES 203 or permission of the Department Head. GES 207 is strongly recommended.***
*Note: Students may only receive credit for one of GES 309, GEOG 309, GEOG 331, or GEOG 391AB.*
GES 310
Geography of Saskatchewan
A systematic and regional approach to the geography of Saskatchewan, emphasizing climate, natural resources, population, settlement, economy and changes in the same.
***Prerequisite: 30 credit hours including GEOG 100 or GEOG 120, or permission of Department Head.***
*Note: Students may receive credit for only one of GES 310, GEOG 310, GEOG 320, GEOG 396AC, and GEOG 490AE.*
GES 316
Geography of the Third World
The so-called "Third World" is examined from a spatial perspective. Topics of investigation include imperialism, population growth, political boundaries, and economic transition.
***Prerequisite: 30 credit hours including one of GES 100 or GES 120, or permission of the Department Head.***
*Note: Students may receive credit for only one of GES 316 and GEOG 316.*
GES 321
Meteorology
The basic principles of meteorology with special attention to weather conditions on the Canadian prairies.
***Prerequisite: 30 credit hours including GES 121, or permission of the Department Head.***
*Note:Students may receive credit for only one of GES 321 and GEOG 321.*
GES 323
Geomorphology
The study of landforms and the processes which create and modify them. Emphasis on the mechanics of geomorphic processes and how they relate to properties of earth materials.
***Prerequisite: 30 credit hours including GES 121 or permission of Department Head.***
*Note: Students may only receive credit for one of GES 323 or GEOG 323.*
GES 325
Biogeography
An examination of the geographic distributions of plants and animals and the historical, geologic, and contemporary processes underlying those distributions. The course will include study of the influence of climate change, continental drift, and human activity on spatial distribution of flora/fauna.
***Prerequisite: 30 credit hours including GES 121, or permission of the Department Head.***
*Note: Students may receive credit for only one of GES 325 and GEOG 325.*
GES 326
Environment and Resource Management
A systematic analysis of geographical aspects of theory and methods of natural resource management. Focus is on the geographer's role in resource analysis and policy decisions with examples from agriculture, forestry, wildlife, energy, and parks.
***Prerequisite: 30 credit hours, including GES 100 or GES 120, or permission of the Department Head.***
*Note: Students may receive credit for only one of GES 326 and GEOG 326.*
GES 327
Hydrology
Basic principles of hydrology and the geography of water. Emphasis on the surface components of the hydrological cycle, and on the collection and analysis of hydrometric data.
***Prerequisite: 30 credit hours including GES 121 or permission of the Department Head.***
*Note: Students may receive credit for only one of GES 327 and GEOG 327.*
GES 329
Soil Geography
Introduction to the properties and classification of soil. The geography of soil at local, regional, and global scales. Relationship of soil to geomorphology, climate, water, vegetation, and environmental change.
***Prerequisite: 30 credit hours including GES 121 or permission of the Department Head.***
*Note: Students may receive credit for only one of GES 329, GEOG 329 or GEOL 329.*
GES 330
Political Geography
The effect of political action on present-day geography, and of geography on political problems.
***Prerequisite: 30 credit hours including GES 100 or GES 120, or permission of the Department Head.***
*Note: Students may receive credit for only one of GES 330 and GEOG 330.*
GES 333
Natural Hazards
Characteristics and human impacts of selected natural hazards. Risk evaluation and responses. General and case study approaches, with emphasis on atmospheric and geomorphic hazards in Canada and the developing world.
***Prerequisite: 30 credit hours including GES 120 or GEOG 121, or permission of the Department Head.***
*Note: Students may receive credit for only one of GES 333 and GEOG 333.*
GES 336
Cultural Geography
A survey of the sub-field of cultural geography, and its evolution over the last century. Core themes include the interpretation of cultural landscapes, representation, expressions of culture, and cultural politics. Emphasis is placed on works written after the “cultural turn” of the late 20th century.
***Prerequisite: 30 credit hours, including GES 100 or GES 120, or permission of the Department Head.***
*Note: Students may receive credit for only one of GES 336 and GEOG 336.*
GES 338
Geography of Identities and Power
An examination and comparison of the fe/male use and perception of space and place by time-period, and culture, age, gender, race, ethnicity, class and sexuality: in homes, neighbourhoods, cities, rural areas, recreation, travel, environment, and politics, race, education and ethnicity.
***Prerequisite: 30 credit hours, including GES 100 or 9 credit hours in GES, including GES 120, or permission of Department Head.***
*Note: Students may receive credit for only one of GES 338, GEOG 338, GEOG 396AA, and WGST 362.*
GES 346
Urban Planning
This course examines the classical roots of modern urban planning, the core concepts of planning theory, and the land-use plan. Emphasis is placed on urban planning in Canada and especially in Regina.
***Prerequisite: GES 100 or GES 120 or permission of the Department Head.***
*Note: Students may only receive credit for one of GES 346. GEOG 346, or GEOG 424.*
GES 372
Climate Change Policy
This course will explore questions such as: What policy options are available to address climate change? What climate change policies have been introduced in Canada and around the world? How do we evaluate whether climate change policy has succeeded?
***Prerequisite: GES 200.***
*Note: Students may receive credit for one of GES 372, ECON 373, ECON 396AW, GEOG 396AM, and GES 396AM.*
GES 391AA
Environmental and Applied Geomorphology
The course is designed around a series of field techniques and lab exercises. Particular emphasis is placed on the influence of varying environmental conditions on landscape development. Techniques for surveying, mapping, and interpretation of environmental conditions and landforms will be introduced.
***Prerequisite: GES 121 or permission of the Department Head.***
*Note: Students may receive credit for only one of GES 391AA and GEOG 391AA.*
GES 396AF
Meteorological Instrumentation
The gathering and manipulation of meteorological data are examined. Theory and practice in designing and operating instruments is addressed. Climatic dataset manipulation and analysis is included.
*Note: Students may only receive credit for one of GES 396AF and GEOG 396AF.*
GES 396AI
Geographies of Mining and Extraction
Examination of environmental, social, political and economic aspects of mining and resource extraction in particular sites and transnational spaces. Issues considered include: How does extraction shape local communities and environments? How have indigenous claims and resistance influenced corporate strategies and vice versa? Is resource wealth a blessing or a curse?
***Prerequisite: 30 credit hours including one of GES 120 or GES 100.***
*Note: Students may receive credit for only one of GES 396AI, IS 390AF, or GEOG 396AI.*
GES 396AN
The Place of Craft Beer
Is craft beer a sustainable practice for building local community? Topics include the geography of craft beer, environmental impacts, economic development, labour market, gender, and relationships to the local.
***Prerequisite: 30 credit hours including one of GES 100 or GES 120, or permission from the Department Head.***
*Note: Students may receive credit for only one of GES 396AN and GEOG 396AN.*
GES 396AT
(De)constructing Berlin: An Exploration of Urban Place and Time
This course offers a multidisciplinary approach to the history and human/urban geography of Berlin, Germany. Emphasis is placed on selected themes in the physical, historical, cultural, political, and economic development of the city. The course includes a field trip to Berlin, Germany.
***Prerequisite: Permission of the Department Head is required to register.***
*Note: Students may only receive credit for one of GES 396AT and GEOG 396AT.*
*Additional Fee: $1700.*
GES 400
Environmental Impact Assessment
This course gives students an opportunity to develop their skills in effectively analyzing, managing, and resolving natural resource conflicts. Students will be required to carry out a substantial piece of research work independently, develop knowledge of special interests, and build upon the experience gained.
***Prerequisite: 30 credit hours and GES 200.***
*Note: Students may receive credit for only one of GES 400 and ENST 400.*
GES 409
Advanced Spatial Analysis and Visualization (GIS)
Advanced topics in geomatics exploring the coupling and integration of computer-assisted cartography, geostatistics and analysis, GIS, and remote sensing. Students will work in small groups to design geomatics solutions addressing selected planning, environmental management or research problems.
***Prerequisite: GES 303, GES 307, and GES 309 or permission of the Department Head.***
*Note: Students may only receive credit for one of GES 409 and GEOG 409.*
GES 411
Field Techniques in Physical Geography
Techniques for the acquisition and analysis of field data used in physical geographical research.
***Prerequisite: GES 121, and one of GES 321, GES 323, GES 325, GES 327 or GES 333 or permission of the Department Head.***
*Note: Students may receive credit for only one of GES 411 and GEOG 411.*
GES 421
Topics in Climatology and Meteorology
Weather and human activities. Response to weather hazards: hurricanes, thunderstorms, droughts. World climate regions. Climate change. Human impact of weather, weather forecasting and climatological information. Anthropogenic effects on the atmosphere.
***Prerequisite: GES 321 or permission of the Department Head.***
*Note: Students may receive credit for only one of GES 421 and GEOG 421.*
GES 423
Advanced Geomorphology
An advanced course in landforms and the processes that create and modify them. Topics include glacial, periglacial and theoretical geomorphology, and the relationship between geomorphology and environmental change.
***Prerequisite: GES 323 or permission of the Department Head.***
*Note: Students may receive credit for only one of GES 423, GEOG 423, or GEOG 423AB.*
GES 429
Glacial and Periglacial Geomorphology
An advanced course relating to cold environments and their geomorphic processes. Topics cover glacial and periglacial processes and their resulting landforms. Special attention will be paid to the Canadian Arctic environment and the history of glaciation in Canada, particularly during the last glacial episode during the Wisconsin advance and retreat.
***Prerequisite: GES 323 or permission of the Department Head.***
*Note: Students may only receive credit for one of GES 429, GEOG 429, GEOG 423AA, or GEOL 429.*
GES 431
Climate Change Impacts, Adaptation and Vulnerability
This course focuses on the impacts of climate change on biophysical and and social systems, and the adjustments to policies and practices that will be required to minimize the negative impacts. It is intended for advanced undergraduates and graduate students with an interest in this emerging and important field of study.
***Prerequisite: GES 120 and GES 121.***
*Note: Students may receive credit for only one of GES 431, GEOG 431, GEOG 831, or GEOG 491AB.*
GES 491AD
Advanced Hydrology
A survey of advanced topics in hydrology, the study of water, with a specific focus on the surface water balance of the prairies and the impacts of climate change and variability.
**Permission of the Department Head is required to register.**
*Note: Students may only receive credit for one of GES 491AD and GEOG 491AD.*
GES 491AE
Environmental Geomorphology
Presentation of up-to-date research findings and the latest theories from geomorphology and environmental change researchers. The role of geomorphological research in real world applications by using case studies and data sets.
***Prerequisite: GES 305 and GES 323.***
*Note: Students may only receive credit for one of GES 491AE and GEOG 491AE.*
GES 491AF
Hydrology II: Surface Water
The course explores the physical processes of lakes and rivers and associated landforms. The lakes and rivers of Saskatchewan, and of Canada more generally, are emphasized.
***Prerequisite: GES 327 or permission of the Department Head.***
*Note: Students may only receive credit for one of GES 491AF and GEOG 491AF.*
GES 496AE
Urban Heritage
This course examines the construction of heritage in Canadian urban settings. Focus is placed on the goals and objectives of the various stakeholders involved in the process of heritage management and the tensions that can ensue.
***Prerequisite: GES 246 or GES 346, or permission of the Department Head.***
*Note: Students may receive credit for only one of GES 496AE and GEOG 496AE.*
GES 499AA
Honours Thesis - First Half
An exposition of a topic approved by the department. The thesis should draw some original conclusions on the topic concerned.
**Permission of the department head is required to register.**
*Note: Students may only receive credit for one of GES 499AA, GEOG 499AA, GES 499AC, or GEOG 499AC.*
GES 499AB
Honours Thesis - Second Half
An exposition of a topic approved by the department. The thesis should draw some original conclusions on the topic concerned.
**Permission of the department head is required to register.**
*Note: Students may receive credit for only one of GES 499AB, GEOG 499AB, GES 499AC, or GEOG 499AC.*
GES 499AC
Honours Thesis
An exposition of a topic approved by the department. The thesis should draw some original conclusions on the topic concerned.
**Permission of department head is required to register.**
*Note: Students may only receive credit for one of GES 499AC, GEOG 499AC, GES 499AB, GEOG 499AB, GES 499AA, or GEOG 499AA.*