Department of Geography & Meteorology

Department of Geography & Meteorology > Geography > Geography Degree Information > Geography for Communication Majors

Geography for Communication Majors

A minor or second major in geography will enhance your employment potential by equipping you with knowledge of cultural values and ethnic diversity, understanding of places and regions including cities, the geography of the media and of communication technologies as well as skills in cartographic design and in geographic information systems (GIS), While students completing any of the majors in the Department of Communication can benefit from a second major or minor in geography, students majoring in New Media - Journalism and Public Relations will find geography most relevant. VU's geography program is unique in its ability to offer a course in the geography of cyberspace focusing upon the way that new media technologies are transforming the world. Geography courses can provide students interested in journalism with skills and knowledge needed to understand issues important to local communities as well as the global situation. Public Relations majors interested in working for non-profit or environmental organizations or in the public sector will benefit from courses in urban, cultural, environmental, and/or physical geography. Regional courses may be of special interest to students interested in working in the tourism industry or for international corporations. Communication students may also want to consider a minor in Urban Studies which includes participation in the Chicago Urban Semester and further internship opportunities.

A minor in geography consists of a minimum of 16 credit hours, including at least one 100-level course, one 200-level course, and two 300-level or higher courses.
A major in geography consists of a minimum of 30 credit hours, including at least two 100-level courses, two 200-level courses, and four 300-level or higher courses.

Recommended Courses:

GEO 101: World Human Geography
GEO 102: Globalization and Development
GEO 104: Geomorphology
GEO 200: American Ethnic Geography
GEO 201: Economic Geography
GEO 204: National Parks
GEO 210: Current Themes in Geography
GEO 215: Introduction to Geographic Information Systems
GEO 225: Digital Cartography and GPS
GEO 260: Environmental Conservation
GEO 274: North American Indian on Film
GEO 280: Geography of Cyberspace
GEO 285: Natural Hazards
GEO 301: Regional Geographies of the World
GEO 320: Urban Geography
GEO 321: Urban and Regional Planning
GEO 415: Advanced Geographic Information Systems
GEO 420: Rural Geography
GEO 470: Political Geography
GEO 475 Culture Nature Landscape
GEO 486: Internship in Geography
GEO 490: Selected Topics in Geography
GEO 492: Research in Geography
GEO 495: Independent Study

Field Study locations include:

Hawaii Volcanoes
Alaska Glaciers
Biogeography of the Sonoran Desert

Internship opportunities available at:

urban and regional planning agencies
national parks and monuments
non-profit and environmental organizations
GIS and cartography firms
American Indian Reservations

For information on careers in geography and on internships, visit the home page of the Association of American Geographers (AAG) and follow the Careers link.

If you have any questions about adding geography as a minor or second major please contact Prof. Michael Longan.