Geography Program

About

Geography tries to understand the world by making sense of places and the processes – both natural and cultural – that occur in those places. It bridges the distinction that some academic disciplines try to make between science and the humanities.

At Haskell, geography is deeply grounded in the technical disciplines of map-making. This is a vital skill in Indian Country because, as we often argue, the people who make the maps control the debate about the land. In fact, the exercise of sovereignty over a place requires, in some way, the ability to map that place. We therefore offer a rich set of courses in the techniques of map-making, including a three-course sequence in geographic information systems and courses in remote sensing and cartographic design. These courses fit together in a certificate in geospatial science that is currently being reviewed by the environmental science and mathematics faculty. We also offer courses in physical geography, cultural geography, and regional geography.