Geography

The Geography Program is part of the Department of Political Science and Geography.

Many students enroll in one of two introductory courses, Cultural Geography and World Regional Geography to help fulfill the social science component of the General Education Requirement.

MINOR AND COLLATERALS IN GEOGRAPHY

A minor in geography requires 18 semester hours, including Geography 101, 102, 105 and nine hours of coursework at the 200 or 300 level. A collateral in geography requires 12 semester hours.

GEOGRAPHY COURSES

101: Cultural Geography (3) – Study of humans and their interrelationship with the environment as well as the development of differing cultures. The diffusion of knowledge and similarities between cultures is stressed.

102: World Regional Geography (3) – Study of the regions of the world; their cultures, physical resources, populations, and economies.

105: Physical Geography (3) – Study of the development and spatial distribution of land forms, climates, soils, minerals, and water resources. Interrelationships among the elements of the physical environment and regional patterns formed by these elements are analyzed against the background of human exploitation.

201: Economic Geography (3) – Study of the elements involved in economic production of agricultural and industrial products throughout the world. Transportation systems and locational theory are also studied.

204 Political Geography (3) (Prerequisite: 101 or 102) – The physical and cultural factors of various countries and regions have greatly influenced the political relations among these countries. Study of the development of the modern state and the relationships between political blocs in this context.

205 Geography of South Carolina (3) – An introductory-level course in the geography of South Carolina. Includes a section on the physical setting of the state (landforms, climate, soils, and vegetation), as well as a study of the contemporary situation with respect to population, urbanization, and industrialization. It should be especially helpful to those planning to teach in the public schools.

210: Geography of North America (3) – Geographical study of the United States and Canada. Climate, landforms, soils, vegetation, population, industry, and economic resources are studied, as well as the trade and communications networks of the region.

215: Environmental Geography and GIS (3) – Introduction to major environmental issues and sustainability through the application of Geographic Information Systems (GIS). Emphasis is on gaining hands-on knowledge about the collection, manipulation, display, and analysis of spatial data via the use of desktop GIS software.

300: Special Topics in Geography (3) (Prerequisite: A 100-level geography course or permission of department) – In-depth study of an area of interest in geography. Different areas of study offered on a rotating basis. May be taken twice for academic credit with departmental approval.

302: Geography of Europe (3) (Prerequisite: 101 or 102) – A regional survey of the European continent with a later study of the individual countries. The importance of natural resources and the role of cultural diversity in their development is stressed.

303: Geography of Latin America (3) (Prerequisite: 101 or 102) – Geographical study of Latin America with emphasis on population, settlement, climate, landforms, agriculture, and industry. The growth of communications, trade and urbanization are also examined.

304: Geography of Asia (3) (Prerequisite: 101 or 102) – General survey of the physical and cultural elements of Asia with particular emphasis on agricultural and economic developments of Asian States.

305: Geography of Central America (3) (Prerequisite: 101 or 102) – Study of the countries between Mexico and Panama as well as the major Caribbean islands. Considers the differing uses of physical and human resources during the past five centuries.

306: Geography of Sub-Saharan Africa (3) (Prerequisite: 101 or 102) – Introductory analysis of the geography of Africa, with particular emphasis upon cultural diversity and social organization, environmental perception, agricultural systems, economic development, and political instability.

307: Geography of the Middle East and North Africa (3) (Prerequisite: 101 or 102) – Geographical study of North Africa and the Middle East which includes physical and cultural factors. Special emphasis is on the Arab and Israeli conflicts of the area and the significance of the petroleum deposits there.

FACULTY & STAFF

  • Dr. Brown Scott S.
    Dr. Scott S. Brown Professor of Geography ssbrown@fmarion.edu Phone843-661-1611 Departments
    Geography
    OfficeFH 132
    Additional information

    Education

    Ph.D.  Louisiana State University

    M.S.  Universidad de Costa Rica

    B.A.  University of Texas at Austin

    Dr. Brown has taught a wide range of geography courses, including world regional geography, cultural geography, political geography, and regional geography courses covering Latin America, Europe, and Africa. His area of research specialization is Latin America. Dr. Brown’s research specifically focuses on folk housing and its context within both the cultural landscape and the natural environment of Mexico and Central America. Dr. Brown takes pride in helping students become geographically literate and appreciative of world cultures, and has taught several student field courses in Latin America. His greatest pastime is visiting Costa Rica, which is his wife’s home country, and traveling the world in order to bring his experiences in the field back to the classroom. He avidly enjoys cycling, which he often uses as his means of transportation to and from campus.


    Photo of Scott Brown
  • Doughty Richard G.
    Richard G. Doughty Instructor of Political Science and Geography rdoughty@fmarion.edu Phone843-661-1612 Departments
    GeographyPolitical Science
    OfficeFH 144
    Additional information

    Education

    M.A.  Columbia University

    B.A.  Williams College


    Photo of Richard Doughty
  • Dr. Titanski-Hooper Jennifer
    Dr. Jennifer Titanski-Hooper Assistant Professor of Geography, Director of McNair Institute for Research and Service jtitanskihooper@fmarion.edu Phone843-661-1619 Departments
    GeographyRobert E. McNair Center for Research and Service
    OfficeHC 108
    Additional information

    Education

    Ph.D.  Pennsylvania State University

    M.A.  West Virginia University

    B.S.  Lock Haven University of Pennsylvania

    Dr. Titanski-Hooper specializes in geopolitics and cultural geography, with focuses on nationalism and development. She is an alumna of the Fulbright Program, and a former recipient of The Department of Education’s Foreign Language Area Studies (FLAS) Grants.

    In 2022, Dr. Titanski-Hooper became the Director of the McNair Institute for Research and Service at FMU, and was also appointed FMU’s Fulbright Program Advisor for the Institute of International Education (IIE).

    Courses Taught: Cultural Geography, GIS, Model United Nations, Physical Geography, World Regions, and various upper-level courses in Geography and Political Science.


    photo of jennifer titanski hooper