Walking in Maps Maps are not just for navigation, weather, or borders: they are an important tool for landscape inquiry. In this course we will read, interpret, and navigate with contemporary and historical ecological maps. Through ‘map walks’, hands-on exercises, and field-based map making activities; we will consider the role of maps in constructing field-based knowledge. We will learn to translate between maps and terrain. Our task will be to analyze maps’ accuracy, limits, and embedded perspectives. Throughout the semester, we will deepen our ability to think spatially and learn approaches for representing our landscape observations. Class assignments will include a physical and digital portfolio of maps analysis and re-imagining. Be prepared to spend significant time outdoors, with possible overnight field trips. [two 50-min lec. + 3 extended labs]

Applied Remote Sensing: Land Use in Sub-Saharan Africa Satellite images are indispensable for mapping forest cover, agriculture, and other land uses. Off-the-shelf products struggle to capture features in complex landscapes, such as fine-scale forest  changes, urban sprawl, or small agricultural fields. In this course we will focus on sub-Saharan Africa  to investigate select land uses with remote sensing techniques, discuss their social contexts, and  practice novel approaches for generating land use maps. Students will be actively engaged in  carrying out analyses and critical interpretations throughout the semester. Their work will culminate  in a web-based portfolio, which will provide an opportunity to learn effective communication of  research findings. (GEOG 0251 or GEOG 0252 or by instructor approval) and GEOG 0261 is recommended

Human Geography with GIS (formerly ENVS 0120) How do geographers study spatial interactions between people and the environment? How does socio-economic status relate to spatial patterns of settlement, social organization, access to resources, and exposure to risks? How can geographic information systems (GIS) help geographers explain these spatial patterns and processes? In this course we will apply GIS to a wide range of topics in human geography including urban, environmental, political, hazards, and health. We will learn how to gather, create, analyze, visualize, and critically interpret geographic data through tutorials, collaborative labs, and independent work that culminate in cartographic layouts of our results.

Human Geography with GIS (formerly GEOG 0120) How do geographers study spatial interactions between people and the environment? How does socio-economic status relate to spatial patterns of settlement, social organization, access to resources, and exposure to risks? How can geographic information systems (GIS) help geographers explain these spatial patterns and processes? In this course we will apply GIS to a wide range of topics in human geography including urban, environmental, political, hazards, and health. We will learn how to gather, create, analyze, visualize, and critically interpret geographic data through tutorials, collaborative labs, and independent work that culminate in cartographic layouts of our results.

Human Geography with GIS How do geographers study spatial interactions between people and the environment? How does socio-economic status relate to spatial patterns of settlement, social organization, access to resources, and exposure to risks? How can geographic information systems (GIS) help geographers explain these spatial patterns and processes? In this course we will apply GIS to a wide range of topics in human geography including urban, environmental, political, hazards, and health. We will learn how to gather, create, analyze, visualize, and critically interpret geographic data through tutorials, collaborative labs, and independent work that culminate in cartographic layouts of our results.

The Global Environment (formerly GEOG 0206) This course will provide an introduction to the study of the physical environment, with an emphasis on how environmental systems interact. The first half of the course will focus on Earth’s climate, specifically, Earth’s energy budget, the greenhouse effect, global wind and weather patterns, and global ocean circulation patterns. The second half of the course will focus on patterns and processes of the Earth’s surface by examining global patterns of vegetation and the creation of landforms by fluvial, glacial, and aeolian processes. We will use this foundation to understand how our rapidly changing climate will alter each of these systems.

The Global Environment This course will provide an introduction to the study of the physical environment, with an emphasis on how environmental systems interact. The first half of the course will focus on Earth’s climate, specifically, Earth’s energy budget, the greenhouse effect, global wind and weather patterns, and global ocean circulation patterns. The second half of the course will focus on patterns and processes of the Earth’s surface by examining global patterns of vegetation and the creation of landforms by fluvial, glacial, and aeolian processes. We will use this foundation to understand how our rapidly changing climate will alter each of these systems.

Urban Africa The era of rural Africa is over. Today, 40% of sub-Saharan Africans live in cities – seen as places with  social services, economic opportunities, and accessible technology. Yet, African cities are also places of unemployment, social services challenges, and increasing inequality. In this course we will take a  cross-disciplinary approach to the study of urban Africa through scholarly readings, media critiques,  discussions, and data analysis. We will identify similarities and differences in the process of  urbanization in Africa vis-à-vis other world regions. Students will actively contribute to our critical  inquiry into African cities through individual research projects and in-class presentations. 3 hrs. lect

Niwaeli Kimambo

Reviews and ratings for Niwaeli Kimambo at Middlebury College.Niwaeli Kimambo teaches Walking in Maps, Remote Sensing & Land Use, Human Geography with GIS and more.  Explore top rated instructors and find the best for you.Is Niwaeli Kimambo good ? Find out on MiddCourses.

Niwaeli is a very nice person and is very flexible when you struggle to meet deadlines or don't grasp concepts. Going to office/TA hours is crucial in this class. However, her teaching methods aren't the most effective for the work that she required us to do. The expectations were unreasonably high, and I think more hand-holding was required to get us through the lab work. It often felt like we kind of went over concepts and then were expected to apply it to complex QGIS systems. The large class size and limited amount of office hours also did not help. For a class required for all ES and Geo majors, this class is very challenging and time-consuming. Professor Kimambo will not make it easy.

I love Professor Kimambo as a person but would never take this course again. It is simply too much work and I have no interest in GIS (am an EJ major) but it is satisfying to learn difficult things all in all. 

If one had to take only one geography course, this would be it. Material is essential to getting a job in the field. Course work is pretty rhythmic and straight forward, but not necessarily easy. Don't expect a lay up 