Academic Catalogs

Geography

Geography is the study of the earth as the home of humanity - including both its human and physical characteristics.  In their quest to understand the earth and its processes, geographers first ask where things are located, but more importantly, they seek to answer why these distributions occur.

Whether you take the World Regional, Physical, Cultural, Digital Mapping, or any of the other Geography classes that we offer at Orange Coast College, your coursework will incorporate the five themes of Geography:

  1. Location – Where is it located?
  2. Place – What is it like there?
  3. Human / Environment Interactions
    • Human adaptations, modifications, dependence on the environment
  4. Movement – How did it get there?  Where is it going?  Why did it move?
    • Diffusion of people, goods, and ideas
  5. Regions – Classification of areas that are based on similar characteristics
    • Formal, functional, and vernacular

Department Contact Information 

Irene Naesse
inaesse@occ.cccd.edu

Chris Quinn
cquinn@occ.cccd.edu

Jaime Speed
jrossiter@occ.cccd.edu

Geography Department Website

Credit Courses

GEOG A1003 Units (54 lecture hours)  
World Regional Geography  

Grading Mode: Standard Letter

Transfer Credit: CSU; UC.

An introduction to the regions and nations of the world. The major countries, including their population, resources, general development, and physical setting will be investigated. C-ID: GEOG 125.

Catalog Program Pages Referencing GEOG A100

GEOG A100H3 Units (54 lecture hours)  
World Regional Geography Honors  

Grading Mode: Standard Letter

Transfer Credit: CSU; UC.

An introduction to the regions and nations of the world. The major countries, including their population, resources, general development, and physical setting will be investigated. C-ID: GEOG 125.

Catalog Program Pages Referencing GEOG A100H

GEOG A1013 Units (40.5 lecture hours; 40.5 lab hours)  
Regional Field Studies in Latin America  

Grading Mode: Standard Letter

Transfer Credit: CSU.

Field studies of the geography of Latin America. Physical and cultural processes, characteristics and landscapes will be observed and analyzed. Specific content will vary by geographic region. Class will meet on campus prior to departure and following return. Students will spend three weeks in the Latin American country. Students will be responsible for all travel costs.

Catalog Program Pages Referencing GEOG A101

GEOG A1023 Units (40.5 lecture hours; 40.5 lab hours)  
Regional Field Studies in Europe  

Grading Mode: Standard Letter

Transfer Credit: CSU.

Field studies of the geography of Europe. Physical and cultural processes, characteristics and landscapes will be observed and analyzed. Specific content will vary by geographic region. Student will be responsible for all travel costs.

Catalog Program Pages Referencing GEOG A102

GEOG A1303 Units (54 lecture hours)  
Introduction to Weather & Climate  
Advisory: GEOG A180 OR GEOG A180H.

Grading Mode: Standard Letter

Transfer Credit: CSU; UC: Credit Limitation: GEOG A130 and GEOL A131 combined: maximum credit, 1 course.

Introduction to the earth’s atmosphere and processes. Topics include: atmospheric structure and composition, solar radiation, energy budget, temperature, seasonal changes, atmospheric moisture, clouds and fog, precipitation, circulation systems, air masses and fronts, weather forecasting, climate and climate change. Lecture. C-ID: GEOG 130.

Catalog Program Pages Referencing GEOG A130

GEOG A1503 Units (54 lecture hours)  
California Geography  

Grading Mode: Standard Letter

Transfer Credit: CSU; UC.

A survey of California's physical and cultural environment and patterns. Topics will include physiography, vegetation, climate, resources, population, migration, ethnic diversity, economics, urbanization and current issues related to geographic factors. Field trips may be required. C-ID: GEOG 140.

Catalog Program Pages Referencing GEOG A150

GEOG A1803 Units (54 lecture hours)  
Physical Geography  

Grading Mode: Standard Letter

Transfer Credit: CSU; UC.

A study of the basic physical elements of geography and their integrated patterns of world distribution. Particular emphasis is given to climate, land forms, soils, and natural vegetation. C-ID: GEOG 110.

Catalog Program Pages Referencing GEOG A180

GEOG A180H3 Units (54 lecture hours)  
Physical Geography Honors  

Grading Mode: Standard Letter

Transfer Credit: CSU; UC.

A study of the basic physical elements of geography and their integrated patterns of world distribution. Particular emphasis is given to climate, land forms, soils, and natural vegetation. C-ID: GEOG 110.

Catalog Program Pages Referencing GEOG A180H

GEOG A180L1 Unit (54 lab hours)  
Physical Geography Lab  
Prerequisite(s): GEOG A180 or GEOG A180H or concurrent enrollment.
Advisory: MATH A010.

Grading Mode: Standard Letter

Transfer Credit: CSU; UC.

This course is designed to provide supplemental exercises in topics covered in GEOG A180. Lab experience will include map analysis and interpretation, weather prognostication, landform processes and evolution, tectonics, biogeography, and habitat analysis. C-ID: GEOG 111.

Catalog Program Pages Referencing GEOG A180L

GEOG A1853 Units (54 lecture hours)  
Cultural Geography  

Grading Mode: Standard Letter

Transfer Credit: CSU; UC.

A study of the basic cultural elements of geography and their correlation with the physical elements. Particular emphasis is given to population distribution, land use patterns, and trade. C-ID: GEOG 120.

Catalog Program Pages Referencing GEOG A185

GEOG A1903 Units (54 lecture hours)  
Digital Mapping: Introduction to GIS  
Advisory: CIS A100.

Grading Mode: Standard Letter

Transfer Credit: CSU.

This course introduces students to the unique concepts and practical uses of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) technology and ArcGIS software. Students will be taught how to retrieve and apply data in their chosen academic area of interest for selected GIS applications. The course implements advanced computer technology, aerial photography, topographic maps, satellite imagery, and Global Positioning Systems (GPS) data. Classroom activities provide students with applications from various fields including Geography, Geology, Environmental Science, Biology, Anthropology, Public Health, Business, Marketing, Political Science, and Economics. C-ID: GEOG 155.

Catalog Program Pages Referencing GEOG A190

GEOG A1972 Units (27 lecture hours; 27 lab hours)  
Desert Field Studies in Geography  

Grading Mode: Standard Letter

Transfer Credit: CSU.

Field studies of the geography of selected desert regions. Physical and cultural processes, characteristics and landscapes will be observed and analyzed. Specific content will vary by geographic region.

Catalog Program Pages Referencing GEOG A197

GEOG A1982 Units (27 lecture hours; 27 lab hours)  
Regional Field Studies in Geography  

Grading Mode: Standard Letter

Transfer Credit: CSU.

Field studies of the geography of selected regions. Physical and cultural processes, characteristics and landscapes will be observed and analyzed. Specific content will vary by geographic region. C-ID: GEOG 160.

Catalog Program Pages Referencing GEOG A198