Chair: Jennifer R. Wolch, Ph.D.
Professors: Michael J. Dear, Ph.D.*; Curtis C. Roseman, Ph.D.; Douglas J. Sherman, Ph.D.; Jennifer R. Wolch, Ph.D.
Associate Professors: Bernard O. Bauer, Ph.D.; Thomas J. Jablonsky, Ph.D.*
Assistant Professors: Roderick C. McKenzie, Ph.D.*; Laura Pulido, Ph.D.; John F. Wolcott, Ph.D.
Adjunct Assistant Professor: Gurcharan Khanna, Ph.D.
Emeritus Distinguished Professor: John C. Weaver, Ph.D.
*Recipient of university-wide or college teaching award.
The Department of Geography offers undergraduate and graduate degrees in an exciting field of study that emphasizes space, place and environment. Modern geography examines the processes and structure of both human and physical phenomena over space and time. A variety of societal and environmental issues and problems are addressed by geographers. The Geography Department encourages close working relationships between and among students and faculty. At both undergraduate and graduate levels, field and laboratory work is emphasized.
The undergraduate program includes a major that leads to the Bachelor of Arts degree. The major is a flexible one designed to provide the student with a broad introduction to the field, including the basic theory and methodology of geography. Each student is encouraged to design a program around one of three themes: natural, human or urban environments, with the guidance of the geography faculty. Majors should expect to participate in one or more field trips as part of their course of study. The department also offers a geography minor.
The department's graduate programs focus on faculty research specializations in physical geography (M.S. and Ph.D. degrees) and human geography (M.A. and Ph.D. degrees). Physical geography emphasizes process geomorphology, especially sedimentary processes and landform development in coastal, aeolian and fluvial environments. Human geography emphasizes social and political processes, including urban social geography and social theory, environmental politics and policy, ethnic and disadvantaged populations, service facility location and population movements.
Produced by the USC Division of Student Affairs, Office of University Publications, May 1, 1995