Geography 5303: Geographical Analysis I
Time offered: Spring Semester T R 10:30-11:45 A.M.
Syllabus for Spring 2008.
Course Description:
The primary objective of this course is to familiarize students with a wide variety of analytical
tools used by geographers, so that in your future research/work you will be able to recognize
when a situation calls for some sort of quantitative analysis and have an idea about what sort of
analysis should be performed. Essentially, you are being provided with a toolbox of methods. In
addition to learning techniques and how to apply them, you will also pick up some of the
vocabulary of quantitative geography and develop an ability to critically evaluate quantitative
journal articles and books. An important component of this learning process is good preparation,
and you are expected to read all assignments prior to class.
Course Grading:
(1) Homework Exercises (50%). Ten homework exercises will be given during the semester.
Their weights will be equal (5% each). Later exercises and the regression report will require the
use of a computer statistics program.
(2) Mid-term Exam (25%), eighth or ninth week of the term.
(3) Term Project (25%), due Finals Week.
(4) Class Attendance: Each unexcused absence from class will reduce your attendance
grade by 5%. Each semi-excused absence reduces your grade by 2.5%. Semi-excused absences include: job interviews,
indirectly related academic functions (attending but not presenting at conferences), and family functions
(weddings, reunions, etc.). More than 10% worth of absence deductions will result in an automatic
failure of the course, regardless of the quality of work and/or the grade you would otherwise receive.
Course Schedule:
The course is divided into two discrete parts. The first half of the term, prior to Spring Break,
covers important models, theories, and tools in Geography. The learning of this material is assessed on an
all-essay mid-term examination. The second half of the term covers statistical methods of use to
Geographers. The learning of this material is assessed via a major term project due Finals Week. There is no final
exam but the final exam period is used for student presentations of term projects and attendance is mandatory.
Topics in the order they are covered:
THEORIES AND MODELS IN GEOGRAPHY:
Introduction to Course
Classical Land Use Models: Primary, Secondary, and Tertiary Land Uses
Gravity Models and Spatial Interaction
Locational Analysis I: Optimal Locations in Continuous Space
Locational Analysis II: Optimal Locations on a Network
Locational Analysis III: Network Accessibility and Centrality
Location Quotients
STATISTICAL ANALYSIS IN GEOGRAPHY:
Spatial Data Issues
Correlation and Regression
Data Reduction Techniques
Point and Area Pattern Analysis
Spatial Dependence and Autocorrelation
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Last Updated: 25 July 2007
Oklahoma State University
Department of Geography
Stillwater, OK 74078