Geography/Social Studies, BA

Huxley College of the Environment

What is the study of Geography/Social Studies?

Geography/Social Studies at Huxley College provides a breadth of knowledge in Geography, Environmental Studies, History, Economics, Anthropology, and Political Science. Designed to meet Washington State requirements for a teaching endorsement, Geography/Social Studies can also prepare you for teaching in non-traditional settings with or without the additional certification from Woodring College. Students with a degree in Geography/Social Studies can also go on to graduate work in Geography, Education, or Environmental Education.

In the State of Washington, each public school teacher must have a Bachelor’s Degree in a subject approved by the State and must complete a teacher certification program. The Geography/Social Studies degree provides the program endorsement and a B.A. degree in Geography. You will also need to apply to Woodring College and complete the Secondary Education certification program (approximately 65 credits).

Why Should I Consider this Major?

If you want to teach Geography and Social Studies to children in grades 5-12 in a public or private school setting, this major will provide the subject area requirements.

How to Declare:

Pre-Major: Any student may declare as an Environmental Studies pre-major. The forms are available at the Huxley College Office in ES 539.

Admissions: to Huxley College and its majors is selective and based upon the following four criteria:

  1. Completion of required preparatory course work
  2. A brief essay in response to a given question
  3. Relevant experience
  4. Academic performance (GPA)

Application deadlines: Applications should be received by the Huxley College office by April 25 for admission to summer or fall quarters; October 6 for admission winter quarter; and January 15 for admission spring quarter.

Advising Tips: Prospective environmental studies majors are encouraged to meet with departmental advisor, Kathryn Patrick, to explore their environmental studies interest and develop a plan of study.

Coursework

Preparatory Courses (29-36 credits)

  • ENVS 203 - Physical Geography
  • ENVS 204 - Human Geography
  • ESCI 101 - Environmental Studies: A Scientific Approach
  • One course from:
    • MATH 107 - Mathematical Reasoning and Its Applications
    • MATH 112 - Functions and Algebraic Methods
    • MATH 114 - Precalculus I
    • MATH 156 - Algebra With Applications to Business and Economics
  • Any BCOM or CCOM GUR requirement course
  • Two Natural Science GUR lab courses

Major (83-85 credits)

  • ENVS 220 - Map Reading and Analysis
  • ENVS 221 - Geographic Information Systems Survey
  • ENVS 240 - Geography and World Affairs
  • ENVS 319 - Research and Writing
  • ENVS 330 - The United States: Society and Environment
  • HIST 103 - Introduction to American Civilization: American History to 1865
  • HIST 104 - Introduction to American Civilization: American History Since 1865
  • HIST 121 - World History to 500
  • HIST 123 - World History, 1500 to the Present
  • HIST 391 - History of the Pacific Northwest
  • One Physical Geography course from:
    • ENVS 325 - Geography of Landforms
    • ENVS 326 - Climatology
    • ENVS 372 - Natural Hazards Planning
    • ENVS 426 - Water Resources
    • ENVS 427 - Soil Landscapes
  • Two Regional Geography courses from:
    • ENVS 331 - Canada: Society and Environment
    • ENVS 332 - The Pacific Northwest: Society and Environment
    • ENVS 333 - East Asia: Society and Environment
    • ENVS 334 - South Asia: Society and Environment
    • ENVS 335 - The Middle East: Society and Environment
  • Three courses from:
    • ENVS 340 - Developing World
    • ENVS 341 - Population and Resources
    • ENVS 342 - Geography of the World Economy
    • ENVS 343 - Urbanization: Processes and Patterns
  • 7 Elective credits under advisement from:
    • ENVS 300- and 400-level courses
  • One course from:
    • ANTH 201 - Introduction to Cultural Anthropology
    • SOC 221 - Introduction to Population Issues
    • SOC 251 - Sociology of Deviant Behavior
    • SOC 255 - Social Organization of Criminal Justice
    • SOC 260 - The Family in Society
    • SOC 268 - Gender and Society
    • SOC 269 - Race and Ethnic Relations
  • One course from:
    • ECON 206 - Introduction to Microeconomics
    • ECON 446 - Economics for the Teacher (preferred)
  • One course from:
    • ECON 207 - Introduction to Macroeconomics
    • ECON 447 - Methods for Teaching About the National Economy in the Public Schools (preferred)
  • PLSC 250 - The American Political System

GURs:

These courses are offered within this major and may be used to satisfy GUR or Writing Proficiency Requirements.

  • BCOM/CCOM: Any
  • QSR: MATH 107, 112, 114, 156
  • HUM: HIST 103, 104, 121, 123
  • SSC: ANTH 201; ECON 206, 207; ENVS 204, 342; PLSC 250; SOC 221, 251, 255, 260
  • ACGM: ENVS 333, 334, 335
  • BCGM: SOC 268, 269
  • LSCI: ENVS 203
  • SCI: ESCI 101

Sample Careers

  • Middle School Teacher
  • Land-Use Analyst
  • High School Teacher
  • Surveyor
  • Private School Teacher
  • Urban/Regional Planner
  • Ecologist

Department

Contact

Geography Education Advisor:

Thomas Terich
AH 217
Thomas.Terich@wwu.edu

Huxley Admissions Advisor:

Kathryn Patrick
ES 539, 360-650-3520
Kathryn.Patrick@wwu.edu

Related Majors

Geography, BA
Geography—Elementary Education, BAEd