Geography

This course introduces students to the geography of Thailand, its natural resources, its flora and fauna and the human response to it. It covers the physical, topographical, and administrative geography of the Thai nation-state and the importance of spatial analysis.

This course provides the basic qualifications needed to use and describe the principles of modern geospatial science and geographic information systems. It provides a conceptual and practical introduction to geographic information systems with emphasis on practical data handling and data analysis. Teaching consists of lectures and practical computer exercises and two minor reports are produced during the course. The course identifies suitable methods to perform spatial analyses common in biological research and monitoring. Analyses is performed in the geographic information system software and documented in a professional scientific report.

The Internship Program gives students hands-on experience with local, regional, or international organizations and businesses to place their work experience into the broader context of professional development and development in Jordan. Students are exposed to the complex developmental, social, political, and business fabric of Jordan and gain valuable work experience. The main part of the course is the practicum, which is monitored by the CIEE lecturer through office hours, check-ins, and follow up with the internship on-site supervisor. In addition, the class meets bi-weekly for guest lecturers, planned site visits, and discussions on topics related to development in Jordan and international careers to provide practical insight into donor/host organizations and their efforts to support Jordan.

This course explores debates in geography about social issues. It emphasizes the relationship between social identity and social space, and how different places reflect and shape diverse ways of life. The course examines the role of space in the interplay of different social groups (e.g. ethnic groups, men/women), and in relation to different aspects of daily life (e.g. housing, leisure). Its emphasis, however, is on how to think about these issues in different scales/contexts (streets, public spaces, global cities). 

This course explores the relationship between humans and the environment through history from the perspective of the interaction between nature and the environment.
 

This course examines the links between environmental protection and economic development. It focuses on how the world manages its natural and environmental resources to meet the human needs of the present while at the same time preserving these resources for future generations. The course introduces students to different views on how human society achieves the goal of economic growth without depleting earth’s capital and jeopardizing the planet’s life support system. Other topics include the concept of sustainable development and its evolution; the challenges, equity issues, technology development, and free trade; sustainable development indicators and ecological footprints analysis; governance and international cooperation; and the sustainability of city and country. The course uses Hong Kong and China for case studies. 

This course examines current observational capabilities, present how satellite data can contribute to understanding the functions and interactions of Earth’s sub-systems (e.g., atmosphere, biosphere, cryosphere, and hydrosphere), and provide the application examples of environmental change at regional to global scales, such as forest disturbance, water quality, carbon emission, air/water/soil pollution, natural disasters, agricultural production. These are highly related to some crucial sustainability issues, so this course will, directly and indirectly, address multiple sustainable development goals (SDGs), including SDG 2 (Zero hunger), SDG6 (Clean water and sanitation), SDG 10 (Reduced inequalities), SDG11 (Sustainable cities and community), SDG13 (Climate action), SDG 14 (Life below water) and SDG15 (Life on land), in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development set by the United Nations in 2015.

This course analyzes the geographical configuration of tourist areas, human flows and movements due to tourism and leisure, and resources and attractions and their influence on that territory. Topics include: tourism and its current trends; tourism resources; tourist destinations; tourism and sustainability; the great tourist regions-- America, Europe, Asia, Africa, and Oceania.

This course offers a study of the physical and natural environment of Spain. It examines Spain's territory in relation to its social environment and economy, both nationally and regionally. This course also discusses Spain's diversity through examination of its natural regions and its autonomous communities. Finally, it focuses on the transition to democracy, the Spanish constitution and current institutions, and Spanish society today.