Geography Minor

Overview

Geography is a discipline that brings together humans and their earthly environment. It focuses on those issues and challenges that deal with the interactions between the earth's natural processes and how we as humans perceive, utilize, sometimes abuse and often work to conserve the world around us. The geography program at RIC is a small but diverse one, with emphases on basic geography, urban, planning, natural disaster management, environment and historical landscapes of New England.

The major consists of several components: basic geography, geographic skills and methods (including GIS – Geographic Information Systems), an internship in geography and a variety of regional and topical courses. Our focus on applied geography is reflected in our successful internship program, which has helped many of our majors find permanent employment. The GIS course has proven valuable for our students as well as for non-geography majors.

Summer field trip classes have proven to be a popular way to become physically involved in geographic issues and concepts. Opportunities for study abroad as well as many out-of-class experiences assist majors in learning to apply to the "real" world concepts developed in class. Our graduates have found careers in urban and regional planning offices, the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the National Park Service, cartographic agencies and in education.

Declaring a minor allows you to explore other areas of interest and make interdisciplinary connections. Minor areas at RIC complement and reinforce all major areas of study. By declaring a minor, you can set yourself apart as a candidate for job, internship and volunteer opportunities.

Course Requirements