_{Source 2026: https://calstatela.curriculog.com/proposal:17361/form}

Program Learning Outcomes (PLO)

• SLO1. Possess the ability to use maps, images, and graphs to interpret, characterize, and effectively communicate the spatial patterns, connections, and processes of human and physical characteristics of the Earth. (K,P,T)
• SLO2. Acquire the ability to identify, characterize, and explain the distinctiveness of places and regions, the spatial patterns and structures, and the integration processes between nature and society at multiple scales from local to global. (P,T, P&C)
• SLO3. Practice the critical thinking and technical skills necessary to construct research questions, design data collection strategy and analyze data, and draw quantitative and qualitative conclusions based on knowledge, theories, and principles of geography. (P,T)
• SLO4. Acquire the ability to communicate geographic concepts, approaches, methodologies, and applications in oral, written, cartographic and multimedia presentation formats. (K,P,T)
• SLO5. Acquire a working knowledge of diverse concepts, methodologies, and processes to address contemporary issues in a multiethnic local, regional, and global community, and the natural world; and ready to pursue careers or advanced degrees. (K,P,T, P&C)

Fit with the Institutional Mission / Institutional Learning Outcomes (ILO)

The proposed change adds additional emphasis on ILO2: Proficiency: Intellectual skills and ILO3: Place and Community: Urban and global mission.

For ILO2, we have changed the methods courses and directed electives to ensure that our students are equipped with both quantitative and qualitative reasoning and skills. Students’ core requirements include lower division and upper division spatial analysis courses and a lower division statistics course. Meanwhile, the urban directed electives list and the core course GEOG 4460, introduce and ask students to apply qualitative reasoning and methods including participant observation, interviews, policy analysis, and historical analysis.

For ILO3, we have chosen to emphasize urban content and research, to directly tie into our community’s position within the Los Angeles region, by requiring students to take twelve units of directed electives in courses that are specifically focused on urban topics in Geography.