The following areas are administered by this department: Global Studies and Geography

Global Studies
Associate Professor Saff, Chairperson

Global studies provides students with the theoretical and practical tools to critically analyze the ongoing processes of economic, political and cultural change that have collectively become known as “globalization.” The key tenet of global studies is that the multifaceted process of globalization transcends traditional academic boundaries. While required courses have a clear theoretical core, the program also draws theoretical and practical insights from disciplines and programs across the social sciences, humanities and international business, providing students the theoretical tools and knowledge to interpret our interconnected and rapidly changing world.

It is highly recommended that students majoring or minoring in global studies participate in Hofstra’s study abroad programs. Study of a foreign language is strongly recommended for all majors and minors. Students are also encouraged to complete an internship as part of their major.

All majors are required to take a comprehensive final exam as part of the required seminar in Global Studies and Research Methodology (GS 180 ). This course is also designed to promote the students’ development of competency in oral communication in the field of global studies.

Geography

Associate Professor Saff, Chairperson
Associate Professors Rodrigue, Saff, Wiley

Geography is the science of place and space. Geographers ask where things are located on the surface of the earth, why they are located where they are, how places differ from one another, and how people interact with the environment.

There are two main branches of geography: human geography and physical geography. Human geography is concerned with the spatial aspects of human existence—how people and their activity are distributed in space, how they use and perceive space, and how they create and sustain the places that make up the earth’s surface. Human geographers work in the fields of urban and regional planning, transportation, marketing, real estate, tourism, and international business.

Physical geographers study patterns of climates, land forms, vegetation, soils and water. They forecast the weather, manage land and water resources, and analyze and plan for forests, rangelands and wetlands. Many human and physical geographers have skills in cartography and Geographic Information Systems (GIS).

Geographers also study the linkages between human activity and natural systems. Geographers were among the first scientists to sound the alarm that human-induced changes to the environment were beginning to threaten the balance of life itself. They are active in the study of global warming, desertification, deforestation, loss of biodiversity, groundwater pollution and flooding.

The B.A. major in geography offers a broad introduction to the field of geography, including the discipline’s various core sub-fields, such as cultural, economic, transportation, regional and urban geography. We also offer a comprehensive selection of courses in regional area studies, such as African, Australasian, Asian, Caribbean, European, Latin American and North American geography. To major in geography, students are required to complete courses in both topical and regional areas of study.

All majors are required to take a comprehensive final exam as part of the required seminar in Geographic Methodology (GEOG 191 ). This class is also designed to promote the students’ development of competency in oral communication in the field of geography. 

Global Studies and Geography Programs 

Global Studies and Geography Courses