Department of Geography and Anthropology Academic Distinction Statement

The Department of Geography and Anthropology is a student-centered department of excellence committed to fulfilling the mission of ×îÉ«µ¼º½. The faculty empowers students to understand the human condition, to meet the challenges of the 21st century, and to become informed global citizens by cultivating a welcoming environment that encourages active and participatory teaching and learning. The academic programs enrich students with a holistic curriculum and robust extracurricular experiences that prepare them to understand and engage the world's intersecting human, cultural, and physical systems. Geography seeks to study and understand the distribution, dynamics, and interrelationships between humans and their physical environment. Geospatial Sciences applies geospatial technologies to analyze the spatial processes produced or modified by human-environment interactions. Anthropology examines human experiences fully appreciating the biological and cultural power of a variety of perspectives. The department is committed to conducting high quality research reflecting faculty expertise in a collaborative manner and incorporating robust student mentorship. Innovative research within the department includes sustainability and environmental studies, application of geospatial technologies, land surveying, lifeways and livelihoods, forensic science, heritage and resource management, and the scholarship of teaching and learning.  Department faculty design and deliver high quality pedagogy that promotes student success through undergraduate research, internships and work experiences, and service-learning and community engagement. The department is committed to providing students with the knowledge, creativity, and career skills necessary to become productive global citizens.

Geography, Anthropology and Geospatial Science

Welcome to the Department of Geography and Anthropology. Our Department offers a diverse range of programs including degrees in Anthropology, Geography, and Geospatial Sciences, minors in Anthropology, Environmental Studies and Geography, and certificates in Geographic Information Sciences and Land Surveying (Stand-Alone and embedded). Our faculty conduct research on space and culture in our community and around the globe. They are passionate about sharing their research with undergraduates and invite students to join their projects as junior researchers. Through independent studies, internships, community-projects, study abroad, and student-led clubs, undergraduates in our programs acquire relevant skills and graduate to jobs that they love. They also gain an understanding of the complexity of our physical and cultural worlds today.

 

Resource Spotlight


Radow College Outstanding Advisor Award: Christine Jacobs

Our very own Christine Jacobs is the first recipient of the Radow College Outstanding Advisor Award.  Christine is a favorite among our GSS, Geography and Anthropology students.  The Selection Committee chose Christine for her mentoring, advocacy, and outstanding service to advisees, faculty, and staff. She has a mastery of regulations, policies, and procedures.  She is an encourager to our students to pursue scholarships and fellowships while helping them integrate their undergraduate/graduate education, curriculum, and experiences into their overall personal and professional journey.  Christine continues to be an indispensable team member in the Department of Geography and Anthropology.

New Faculty Spotlight: Matthew Davis

Matthew M. Davis is a Lecturer of Anthropology and a certified Ethnographer. He is a cultural anthropologist with a certification in ethnographic research methods. His research interests have focused on Black Americans in a post-Hurricane Katrina New Orleans as well as those in the Katrina diaspora. Additionally, his research focuses on pedagogies of anthropological praxis within and beyond the classroom, and the decolonization of higher education. Mr. Davis obtained his MA in Cultural Anthropology and Ethnography Certification from Georgia State University, and BA in Art History from Oglethorpe University. 

New Faculty Spotlight: David Doran, Ph.D

Dr. Doran is a new Lecturer of Geography. He received his PhD in history from Georgia State University (GSU) in Atlanta and completed his MA in geography from Georgia State University (GSU) in Atlanta. He currently teaches Human Geography, World Regional Geography, Historical Geography, Cultural Geography, Economic Geography, Geography of Europe, Landforms, and Resources, Society and Environment. His spatial and temporal research analysis includes the role of commodities, cross-cultural encounters, and port complexes in world maritime trade and international relations. Dr. Doran has served at KSU since 2010 as both an adjunct professor and visiting instructor.

2022-2023 Sustainability: R.C. Paul Excellence in Sustainability Award

Dr. Vanessa Slinger-Friedman is recognized for her outstanding efforts toward promoting environmental sustainability in the educational and operational practices of the ×îÉ«µ¼º½ (KSU) Campus Community.

To learn more about the R.C. Paul Excellence in Sustainability Award, and other Presidential Inclusive Excellence Awards, visit site.

2022-2023 Advisor Student Choice Award

Congratulations to Christine Jacobs, WINNER of the 2022-2023 Advisor Student Choice Award! Read what our students had to say about Christine's amazing contributions.

More information about academic advising.

GSS Faculty Spotlight

Mostafa Arastounia is an assistant professor of Geospatial Sciences at ×îÉ«µ¼º½ State University. He teaches land surveying courses, and his research is focused on automated processing of data obtained by terrestrial laser scanners and unmanned aircraft. Read more about our GSS faculty.

Geography and Anthropology in Media

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