Dr.O'Loughlin's research interests are in the spatial analysis of conflict including its relationship with climate/environmental change in sub-Saharan Africa. He is also currently conducting research on the political geography of the post-Soviet Union, including Russian and Ukrainian geopolitics, Eurasian 'de facto'-states, and ethno-territorial nationalisms. His work is funded by the National Science Foundation.
keywords
ethnic conflicts, Russia, Caucasus, Central Asia, Ukraine, nationalism, post-conflict beliefs, climate change, sub-Saharan Africa, Kenya, political geography, geopolitics
The structure of political geography.
Progress in Human Geography: an international review of geographical work in the social sciences and humanities.
275-279.
2009
GEOG 1962 - Geographies of Global Change
Primary Instructor
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Spring 2018 / Spring 2019 / Spring 2020 / Spring 2021
Familiarizes students with a geographic understanding of conflicts around the globe and of economic, political and cultural globalization. Analyzes the relationship between global forces, regions and local interests in contemporary territorial and geopolitical tensions and conflicts, emphasizing issues such as nationalism, migration, labor and natural resources. Formerly GEOG 2002.
GEOG 1982 - World Regional Geography
Primary Instructor
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Spring 2020
Introduces a comparative framework for recognizing and understanding world regions. Units combine historical understanding with discussion of problems and challenges that face them, including discussion of economic growth, inequality, political conflict, colonialism, race and climate change.
GEOG 3882 - Geography of the Former Soviet Union
Primary Instructor
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Spring 2018 / Fall 2019 / Spring 2021 / Spring 2022
Examines the contemporary social, political, population, cultural, ethnic and resource geography of the former Soviet Union. Relations between Russia and neighboring countries are also considered. Historical and physical geography are introduced as background to understanding post-Soviet developments and challenges.
GEOG 4002 - Topics in Human and Environment/Society Geography
Primary Instructor
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Spring 2022
Examines various topics in human and environment / society geography that are not typically covered in the curriculum. Offered intermittently depending on student demand and availability of instructors.
GEOG 4712 - Political Geography
Primary Instructor
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Fall 2018 / Fall 2020 / Fall 2021
Systematic study of relations between geography and politics, especially as background for better understanding of international affairs. Includes topics such as frontiers and boundaries, power analysis, geopolitics, international political economy, and strategic concepts. Recommended prerequisite: GEOG 1962 or GEOG 1972 or GEOG 1982 or GEOG 1992 or GEOG 2092 or IAFS 1000 or PSCI 2012 or PSCI 2223. Same as GEOG 5712.
GEOG 5712 - Political Geography
Primary Instructor
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Fall 2018 / Fall 2021
Systematic study of relations between geography and politics, especially as background for better understanding of international affairs. Includes topics such as frontiers and boundaries, power analysis, geopolitics, international political economy, and strategic concepts. Same as GEOG 4712.
IAFS 4500 - The Post-Cold War World
Primary Instructor
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Spring 2022
Capstone course for international affairs majors. Examines the ways in which the end of the Cold War, the collapse of failed states, and the rise of global terrorism changed the world. Studies how peoples, governments and nongovernmental organizations face new social, political, economic and security challenges in an era of globalization. Includes discussion, oral reports, critical book reviews, and research papers.
