Geography-Anthropology

  300 Bailey Hall, 37 College Ave, Gorham, ME 04038-1088

(207) 780-5321

The Department of Geography-Anthropology is an interdisciplinary department that emphasizes the integration of the two disciplines through our common interests in the relationship between human populations and their environments, both natural and built. The major is a 45-53 hour interdisciplinary program wherein students are expected to take courses in both geography and anthropology. We offer a curriculum that engages students in critical thinking and real-world problem solving and students are involved in qualitative and quantitative data collection in the field and analysis in our labs. The results include student publications, student conference presentations, and research and cartographic contributions to faculty publications. Geography and anthropology are disciplines grounded in fieldwork. As a result, our students are involved in fieldwork, data collection and lab analysis as part of their curriculum or as part of their work-study or independent study opportunities.

Among the elements that are integrated in the major are common interests in the relationship between human populations and their environment, the sustainability of environments, cultures, and societies, decision-making strategies of human groups, the health and nutritional status of human societies, the study of the processes of cultures and societies as well as the environment, geographic information systems, and other strategies for studying or analyzing spatial data. Our department provides archaeology, cartography, ethnographic, digital media, and GIS laboratories, located on the Gorham campus, with a wide variety of resources for students.

The B.A. in Geography-Anthropology, or one of our minors, will appeal to students who are interested in human nature, environmental processes, and western and non-western cultures as well as field experiences in archaeology, anthropology, and geography, and to students with analytical minds who are alert to social and environmental problems involving cultural and natural processes. Careers in law, medicine, civil service, economic and political planning, land use planning, cartography, environmental management and planning, education, museum work and research are among the postgraduate opportunities available from this major.

The Department offers the following programs: bachelor of arts in geography-anthropology, minor in anthropology, minor in archaeology, minor in geography, applied geography minor in planning, a Certficate in Applied Geographic Information Systems (GIS), and a concentration in social sciences area major of College of Arts & Sciences. All students with majors or specific discipline minors in social sciences must achieve at least 6 credits with grades B or better in the requirements of those majors or minors. No grades of D will be counted toward fulfillment of the major or minor requirements. Except for Independent Studies, no required course may be repeated more than one time. All students are reminded that, in addition to meeting department requirements for the major, they must also meet the University's minimum proficiency requirements and the Core curriculum requirements.

Students are required to have internship or fieldwork experiences, to be able to write well and communicate effectively, and to have a basic understanding of analytical techniques. Courses are offered on both campuses during day and evening hoursand on-line; the department and faculty offices are located in Gorham.

Special Teaching and Research Facilities

Archaeology Laboratory

The Archaeology Laboratory located in 317 Bailey Hall provides facilities for research in archaeology and related areas. Various research collections are available, primarily from Maine, Alaska, and the Caribbean. The Archaeology Laboratory also houses a small library including books, journals, slides and maps. Opportunities are available for independent student research projects, and work-study positions are available in the laboratory each semester.

Cartography Laboratory and Map Collections

The Cartography Laboratory located in 323 Bailey Hall provides facilities for map making and air photo interpretation. The room is open for faculty and student use daily. An extensive map collection is housed in 318 Bailey Hall. Holdings include national Defense Department maps, Maine maps, topographic maps, and various world regional maps. Student proctors are available to offer assistance.

Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Laboratory

The Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Laboratory, located in 302 Bailey Hall, provides facilities for computerized automated research of geographical data. The GIS Laboratory includes tools for running vector-based geographic information systems, and has the capacity for hand-digitizing images and producing multi-color output.

Qualitative Research Laboratory

The Qualitative Research Laboratory is housed in 315 Bailey Hall and is dedicated to qualitative analysis, training, and instruction, including the use of digital media. The room is used for classes and laboratories, and to conduct research and media production in the qualitative aspects of cultural anthropology and human geography. Opportunities are available for independent research projects, and work-study positions are available in the laboratory.

Zooarchaeology Laboratory

The Zooarchaeology Laboratory located in 316 Bailey Hall provides facilities for research and teaching in zooarchaeology, human osteology, and human evolution. Current collections include casts of nonhuman primates and fossil hominids, and a comparative faunal collection specializing in mammals, birds, and fish of the Northeast.

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