GSP4600EN - Themes in Physical Geography

Course description

This course advances the Physical Geography content by focusing more deeply on the four spheres of geography (atmosphere, biosphere, lithosphere, hydrosphere) and applying them on a small scale to the student’s individual locality. This allows students to apply critical analysis to the specific interplay of the systems within each sphere and how they create the unique environments across space by gathering data with appropriate methodology and analyzing it with appropriate theories and principles.

How this course benefits students

This course examines the variations of Earth’s global systems and how humanity adapts to operate within them. These systems differ geographically, and this course explains why those differences occur. This course benefits students by supplying them the scientific knowledge that is both basic and foundational to life’s existence. It also provides additional critical elements explaining why and how the landscape and the human experience differ over space.

Why this course is important

Disparate environmental conditions (or spheres) across Earth’s surface shape how people operate and adapt to such conditions. This course is important because livelihoods and experiences largely depend on the expression of the intersection of Earth’s systems across space. By taking this course students get to learn the science explaining why Earth’s systems differ spatially and how they interact to create the unique environments and landscapes from the macro to micro scales.

Credit hours
3 hours
Subject area
Geospatial Studies
Educational level
Bachelor
Learning type
Instructional
Prerequisites
None
Upcoming terms
Pending
* Schedule subject to change. Please contact the Registrar's office with schedule questions.

How this course relates to missional core values

Biblically based

In the beginning God created... Gen 1:1. In this course students get to see the creativity of God by learning the formulas and process God uses to keep Earth’s systems functioning harmoniously. Students will learn some of the “fine tuning” employed that makes Earth habitable for the creation of life. He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together. Col 1:17.

Missionally driven

As students live/work in and travel to different locations, experiencing God’s creation, understanding a portion of the inner workings of that handiwork inspires and humbles His servants to worship the Creator and care for His creation.

Contextually informed

The content of this course directly strengthens the students’ environmental competence on global and local scales. Of use in humanities calling to make disciples of all nation is a deep understanding of not just the nation, but also the environment within which their cultures have evolved.

Interculturally focused

Because this course focuses on Earth’s systems and the environment from global to local scales and how/why they differ over space, this focus may be employed as the backdrop to reach the diverse groups of people living and operating within them.

Practically minded

This course offers basic knowledge of Earth’s systems and environmental and how/why they differ over space. Students may use this knowledge to apply the concepts and principles to their location and lived experience no matter where they are.

Experientially transformed

Students this course will be offered opportunities through coursework to gather and analyze data where they are located and aggregate that with fellow students to begin to build a real-world picture of the diversity of Earth’s environments.