BA in Geography (Human Geography)

Units required for Major: 46
Total units required for BA: 120

Program Description

The Bachelor of Arts in Geography with a concentration in Human Geography examines how diverse human cultures and economies interact with natural environments to create distinctive places with unique achievements, challenges, and conflicts. Students acquire cross-cultural perspectives and knowledge relevant to globalization, international development, energy and other natural resource issues, hazards and disasters, migration and demography, and geopolitical situations. 

Note:

  • Courses cannot double count for the core and the concentration.

Program Requirements

Lower Division Core (10 Units)
GEOG 1Physical Geography: The Distribution of Natural Phenomena 13
GEOG 2Cultural Geography 13
GEOG 3Introduction to Maps and Geographic Technologies3
GEOG 11Laboratory in Physical Geography 11
Upper Division Core (36 Units)
GEOG 102Ideas and Skills in Geography3
GEOG 109Geographic Information Systems3
GEOG 118Earth Transformed3
GEOG 190Senior Research Seminar in Geography 13
Regional Geography Core Elective3
Complete one of the following
United States and Canada
Geography Of Africa
Geography Of Europe
Special Topics in Regional Geography A
Geography Field Experience B
Special Topics in Regional Geography C
California
Geography of the Middle East
Human Geography Concentration 2
Human Geography Elective12
Complete four of the following
Geography of Economic Activity
Feminist Geography
Environmental Hazards and Society
Transforming the City
Population Geography 1
Urban Geography
Urban and Regional Planning
Transportation Geography
California's Water Resources
Additional Regional Geography Elective3
Complete one additional coure of the following
United States and Canada
Geography Of Africa
Geography Of Europe
Special Topics in Regional Geography A
Special Topics in Regional Geography B
Special Topics in Regional Geography C
California
Geography of the Middle East
Additional Human or Regional Elective3
Complete one additional course from either the Human Geography or Additional Regional Geography elective lists
Physical Geography Elective3
Complete one of the following
Elements Of Meteorology 1
Climate 1
Biogeography 1
Global Climate Change 1
Landforms
Total Units46
1

Course also satisfies General Education (GE)/Graduation Requirement.

2

Sections of GEOG 195A or GEOG 199 with sufficient units and focused on relevant content may be substituted for a concentration course requirement with the consent of the major advisor and department chair.

General Education Requirements1

Area A: Basic Subjects (9 Units)
A1 - Oral Communication3
A2 - Written Communication3
A3 - Critical Thinking3
Area B: Physical Universe and Its Life Forms (9 Units)
B1 - Physical Science 20
B2 - Life Forms3
B3 - Lab (Note: Lab experience to be taken with one of the following: B1, B2 or B5) 20
B4 - Math Concepts3
B5 - Additional Course (Any B to reach 12 units) - Take upper-division course to complete Area & upper division requirements. 33
Area C: Arts and Humanities (12 Units)
C1 - Arts3
C2 - Humanities3
C1/C2 - Area C Course3
C1/C2 - Area C Course - Take upper-division course to complete Area & upper division requirements.3
Area D: The Individual and Society (3-6 Units)
Area D Course3
Area D Course 20
Area D Course - Take upper-division course to complete Area & upper division requirements. 40 - 3
Area E: Understanding Personal Development (3 Units)
Area E Course3
Area F: Ethnic Studies (3 Units)
Area F Course3
Total Units39-42
1

To help you complete your degree in a timely manner and not take more units than absolutely necessary, there are ways to use single courses to meet more than one requirement (overlap). For further information, please visit the General Education page.

Note: There is no way to list all possible overlaps so please consult with a professional advisor. The Academic Advising Center can be visited online, by phone (916) 278-1000, or email.

2

Required in Major; also satisfies GE.

3

Students can complete Area B5 by taking GEOG 111, GEOG 113, GEOG 115, or GEOG 116 in their Physical Geography Electives.

4

Students can complete Area D by taking GEOG 145 in their Human Geography Elective.

Graduation Requirements1

Graduation Requirements (required by CSU) (6 Units)
American Institutions: U.S. History3
American Institutions: U.S. Constitution & CA Government3
Writing Intensive (WI) 20
Graduation Requirements (required by Sacramento State) (12 Units)
English Composition II3
Race and Ethnicity in American Society (RE)3
Foreign Language Proficiency Requirement 36
1

To help you complete your degree in a timely manner and not take more units than absolutely necessary, there are ways to use single courses to meet more than one requirement (overlap). For further information, please visit the General Education page.

Note: There is no way to list all possible overlaps so please consult with a professional advisor. The Academic Advising Center can be visited online, by phone (916) 278-1000, or email.

2

Required in Major; also satisfies Graduation Requirement.

3

If not satisfied before entering Sacramento State, it may be satisfied in General Education Area C2 (Humanities). "C- or better required." The alternative methods for satisfying the Foreign Language Proficiency Requirement are described here: https://www.csus.edu/college/arts-letters/world-languages-literatures/foreign-language-requirement.html 

The following roadmaps are sample planning resources. Please consult your academic advisor and Academic Catalog for graduation requirements as you develop your individualized academic plan.

Geography (Human Geography), BA: 4-Year Roadmap

Plan of Study Grid
Year 1
First SemesterUnits
GEOG 1 Atmosphere, Landscapes & Life: Intro to Physical Geography 3
GEOG 11 Laboratory in Physical Geography 1
GEOG 3 Introduction to Maps and Geographic Technologies 3
GE Area 1C - Oral Communication 2 3
GE Area 3A - Arts 2 3
Elective of Choice 3
 Units16
Second Semester
GEOG 2 Cultural Geography 3
GE Area 1A - English Composition 2 3
GE Area 1B - Critical Thinking 2 3
GE Area 2 - Mathematical Concepts & Quantitative Reasoning 2 3
Elective of Choice 3
 Units15
Year 2
First Semester
GEOG Course 3 3
ENGL 20 College Composition II 3
GE Area 3B - Humanities 2 3
GE Area 5B - Biological Science 2 3
Elective of Choice 3
 Units15
Second Semester
GEOG Course 3 3
GE Area 6 - Ethnic Studies 2 3
GR American Institutions (GOVT) 2 3
Elective of Choice 3
Elective of Choice 3
 Units15
Year 3
First Semester
GEOG 102 Ideas and Skills in Geography 3
GEOG 109 Geographic Information Systems 3
Regional Geography Core Elective 3 3
Human Geography Elective 3 3
Foreign Language Semester 1 2 4
 Units16
Second Semester
Human Geography Elective 3 3
Human Geography Elective 3 3
Additional Regional Geography Elective 3 3
Upper Division GE Area 4 - Social & Behavioral Sciences 2 3
Foreign Language Semester 2 2 4
 Units16
Year 4
First Semester
GEOG 118 Earth Transformed 3
Human Geography Elective 3 3
Physical Geography Elective 3 3
Upper Division GE Area 3 - Arts or Humanities 2 3
GR American Institutions (US History) 2 3
 Units15
Second Semester
GEOG 190 Senior Research Seminar in Geography 3
Human Geography Elective 3 3
Additional Human or Regional Elective 3 3
Upper Division GE Area 5 or 2 - Science or Mathematical Concepts/Quantitative Reasoning 2 3
Elective of Choice 3
 Units15
 Total Units123

Geography (Human Geography), BA: 2-Year Roadmap

Plan of Study Grid
Year 1
First SemesterUnits
GEOG 102 Ideas and Skills in Geography 3
GEOG 109 Geographic Information Systems 3
Regional Geography Elective 3 3
Human Geography Elective 3 3
Foreign Language Semester 1 2 4
 Units16
Second Semester
Human Geography Elective 3 3
Human Geography Elective 3 3
Additional Regional Geography Elective 3 3
Upper Division GE Area 4 - Social & Behavioral Sciences 2 3
Foreign Language Semester 2 2 4
 Units16
Year 2
First Semester
GEOG 118 Earth Transformed 3
Human Geography Elective 3 3
Additional Human or Regional Elective 3 3
Upper Division GE Area 3 - Arts or Humanities 2 3
GR American Institutions (GOVT) 2 3
 Units15
Second Semester
GEOG 190 Senior Research Seminar in Geography 3
Physical Geography Elective 3 3
Upper Division GE Area 5 or 2 - Science or Mathematical Concepts/Quantitative Reasoning 2 3
GR American Institutions (US History) 2 3
Elective of Choice 3
 Units15
 Total Units62
1.

Any course not completed in the first semester should be taken in the second or a later semester.

2.

Please see General Education/Graduation Requirement course options.

3.

Please see an academic advisor for elective options.