COURSE DESCRIPTION

A geographical study of the diverse characteristics of the Earth's physical landscape, spatial distribution of environmental characteristics, the impacts of these on human populations and human populations' impact on the natural environment. Topics include climate and climate change, mass movements and natural hazards, biogeography and environmental problems such as desertification and deforestation, and the use and abuse of water resources.  One of two such courses, this course provides an introduction to the discipline of Geography.  The other foundational course is Cultural Geography.