Harper College

Geography Courses

Harper College's geography courses are designed to help students integrate geographic perspectives into their daily lives and to gain a deeper understanding of our dynamic and ever-changing world. Course offerings are divided into two areas: Social Geography and Physical Geography. The social geography class sequence examines the socio-cultural impact of human activity and regional development. The physical geography class sequence explores the natural systems of the Earth—from ecosystems to climate dynamics—through a combination of engaging lectures and hands-on lab work.

Geography Courses Descriptions

3 lecture, 0 lab, 3 total contact hours  
Provides a systematic or regional introduction to the basic concepts of human geography using spatial analysis/awareness with both traditional and digital map analysis. Examines the causes and consequences of the uneven distribution of human activity, covering themes such as population, culture, economic activity, development, and urban patterns. IAI S4 900N
World Culture and Diversity  
Typically offered: Fall, Spring, Summer 

3 lecture, 0 lab, 3 total contact hours  
Provides a thematic or regional introduction to the basic concepts of how world regions are constructed or classified. Using spatial analysis of both traditional and digital maps, factors will be explored to assess how regions evolve and are classified. Concepts will explore both developed and undeveloped regions connecting both human and physical geographical factors shaping and defining the classification of regions and interrelationships between them. IAI S4 906
World Culture and Diversity  
Typically offered: Fall, Spring, Summer

3 lecture, 0 lab, 3 total contact hours
Examines the regions of the world conventionally called "developing" or emerging," including the spatial patterns of physical and cultural elements that impart unique identities within these regions using both digital and traditional maps to explore complex geopolitical relations and/or international conflicts among developing regions of the world. IAI S4 902N
World Culture and Diversity  
Typically offered: Fall, Spring, Summer

3 lecture, 3 total contact hours  
Examines the regions of the world conventionally called "industrialized" or developed," including the spatial patterns of physical, cultural elements, and/or international conflicts that impart unique identities within these regions. Uses spatial analysis of both digital and traditional maps to promote critical thinking of complex geographic relationships among regions of the world. IAI S4 901
World Culture and Diversity  
Typically offered: Spring, Summer

3 lecture, 3 total contact hours  
Examines the spatial distribution of elements of Earth's four physical spheres: the atmosphere, the hydrosphere, the lithosphere, and the biosphere including landforms, climates, weather, vegetation, and soils. Consideration is given to the causes of these distributions and to their effects on human populations. IAI P1 909
Typically offered: Fall, Spring, Summer

0 lecture, 2 lab, 2 total contact hours  
Applies the scientific method of observation, hypothesis formation, and experimentation to Earth's four physical spheres: the atmosphere, the hydrosphere, the lithosphere, and the biosphere. IAI P1 909L Prerequisite: Prior or concurrent enrollment in GEG 111 with a grade of C or better.
Typically offered: Fall, Spring, Summer

Last Updated: 7/31/25