Human Geography of Hazards Why do storms, earthquakes, and other hazards result in disastrous loss of life in some places, and only minor losses in others?  In this course we will study human geographies of population, economic development, politics, and culture to explain the diverse outcomes from biophysical hazards.  We will compare hazard geographies at the global, regional, and local scales using diverse approaches, including quantitative analysis, geographic information systems (GIS), and comparative case studies.  We will examine how geographic analysis and technologies are used in disaster planning and response.  We will practice applying human geography theory and methods to hazards research through practical exercises, exams, and research projects.

Open Source Geographic Information Science In this course we will study geographic information science (GIS) with open-source software and critical GIS scholarship. In labs, we will practice techniques to include: data acquisition and preparation for analysis, spatial SQL database queries, automating analysis, spatial interpolation, testing sensitivity to error and uncertainty, and data visualization. We will read and apply critical research of GIS as a subject and with GIS as a methodology. Spatial data sources for labs and independent research projects may include remote sensing, micro-data, smart cities and open government data, and volunteered geographic information (e.g. OpenStreetMap and social media).

Seminar in Geographies of Climate Change Adaptation and Development Rapid anthropogenic climate change cannot be fully mitigated, requiring humans to adapt to changing climate conditions.  How will developing countries with high sensitivity and few resources manage to adapt to a changing climate?  Geography is uniquely suited to research social dimensions of climate change by integrating human and physical geography in the traditions of hazards, human-environment systems, and political ecology research.  In this seminar we will contrast approaches to three related concepts: resilience, vulnerability, and adaptation.  We will review their use in current academic research and literature, international climate negotiations, and adaptation planning and financing in least developed countries.  We will culminate the seminar with independent research into a particular case of planned climate change adaptation in a least developed country.

Joseph Holler

Reviews and ratings for Joseph Holler at Middlebury College.Joseph Holler teaches Human Geography of Hazards, Open Source GIScience, Geog of Climate & Development and more.  Explore top rated instructors and find the best for you.Is Joseph Holler good ? Find out on MiddCourses.

If you have taken GEOG 120 and are looking for more advanced GIS coursework, this is the class for you. You take fundamental GIS concepts from GEOG 120 and learn how to apply them in real coding languages: R, Python, and SQL. There are a fair number readings that sort of explain Professor Holler's perspectives on education and research. By the end of the course, you develop a website portfolio of open source GIS projects that you can use in job applications. Pretty handy.