Geography Department

Historical Overview of the Department of Geography: The department was established as a branch of the Social Sciences Department at the Higher Teachers’ House in the twenties of the last century. In 1955, the branch was separated and transformed into a department to separate it from the other branches mentioned above. The Social Sciences Department at the Higher Teachers’ House was parallel to the college as an educational institution that granted its graduates a bachelor’s degree and was abolished. The scientific departments were merged with the College of Arts, and in (1974) the College of The department was established as a branch of the Social Sciences Department at the Higher Teachers’ House in the twenties of the last century. In 1955, the branch was separated and transformed into a department to separate it from the other branches mentioned above. The Social Sciences Department at the Higher Teachers’ House was parallel to the college as an educational institution that granted its graduates a bachelor’s degree and was abolished. The scientific departments were merged with the College of Arts, and in (1974) the College of Education was reopened with its scientific and humanities departments. The Geography Department contributes to the process of preparing and developing human resources and preparing teaching staff to support middle and secondary schools to serve the scientific and educational process and achieve the goals of higher education and the goals of colleges of education in light of the central philosophy of the state and serving civil society. Prof. Dr. Zainab Wanas Khudair Head of the Department of Geography The Geography Department has witnessed significant development over the past years in terms of quantity and quality to keep pace with modern teaching methods, especially after the coronavirus pandemic, which cast a shadow on the recalculation of the traditional techniques we used in the educational process. Among these scientific and educational works and activities are as follows: - 1. Opening of the Geotechniques Laboratory for Geomorphology, Climate and Soil Materials (2014). 2. The climate station was also installed in 2014. 3. Opening the model hall equipped with (Data Show) devices and the electronic whiteboard in (2015). 4. Holding many conferences, seminars, and workshops, whether in person or (online) electronically remotely. 5. Conducting a series of seminars and workshops, such as the department’s curriculum development workshop and the annual conferences of the Geography Department. 6. The Geography Department is currently seeking to study the conditions of the American Academic Institution for granting the Academic Certificate and International Recognition (NCATE). The self-evaluation has been read, and we will, God willing, try to move steadily toward obtaining this certificate. May God grant us success.

Geography departments are the representative body in applying legal standards within the university to develop capabilities and raise the level of graduates at the local, regional, and global levels.

We are preparing educational talents capable of building an Iraqi society equipped and secure with knowledge and the ability to build comprehensive development in all areas of society and the Iraqi state.

The goals of the Geography Department are divided into three types: cognitive and scientific goals at the theoretical and applied levels, value goals at the national and humanitarian levels, and skills goals at all levels of building the capabilities and capacities of graduates and members of the Geography Department. In addition to the goals mentioned, there are other goals, such as: 1. Preparing and developing students and expanding their sensory, intellectual, and scientific awareness of all geographical subjects, whether natural or human, to qualify them for teaching and scientific research in the institutions of the Ministry of Education and other ministries that can benefit from the geographical experiences of students graduating from the department. 2. Enabling students to apply scientific methods in dealing with problems and life situations by relying on field studies in analysis and study, especially in the fields and research studies that serve and benefit society. 3. As well as preparing and developing the scientific sense of some distinguished students to keep pace with their scientific studies, including introducing them to postgraduate studies through urging and encouraging them to be the primary base, thus supplying academic institutions with this expertise and the need of geographical departments in the Iraqi governorates as teachers who serve in their various fields and according to their scientific specializations. 4. Building scientific, professional, and cultural preparation for students and graduates of the Geography Department and enabling them to master and know the facts and theoretical concepts related to the science of geography. 5. Qualifying students and graduates of the Geography Department to understand the basic principles that qualify them to teach in educational institutions and contribute to scientific research in all disciplines of geographical knowledge. 6. Developing beneficial behaviors and values among students consistent and compatible with Arab and Islamic values and the principles of other heavenly religions to develop and reach the highest levels of moral, intellectual, and human maturity. 7. Developing students' capabilities, desires, and attitudes towards the teaching profession and intellectual and scientific research to increase their abilities to face current challenges and the requirements of contemporary cultural change and confront the problems of the times. 8. Developing the authentic moral values associated with the teaching profession and scientific research and directing both to serve national and societal interests in their human and educational dimensions. 9. Providing students with basic skills related to the teaching profession and scientific research. 10. Providing graduates of the Geography Department with the skills of correct educational and scientific construction to enable them to practice the teaching profession and to allow them to face modern life situations with high efficiency while practicing the teaching profession. 11. Developing the attitudes of students and community members towards acquiring self-education skills to expand their intellectual, cultural, and cognitive horizons.

The Geography Department has (10) study halls. Each hall can accommodate several students up to (60) students. They are equipped with appropriate amenities such as ceiling fans, cooling devices in the summer and heating in the winter, and padded wooden seats covered with sponges and cloth to comfort students while sitting and listening to the lecture. The Geography Department has two laboratories within the department building: The first is the Geographic Information Systems (GIS) laboratory. This laboratory was established in 2014 and is equipped with several computers. The second is the Geographic Technologies Laboratory, which includes many modern devices, tools, and standards for measuring geographical phenomena, including climate and monitoring devices, soil measuring devices, and pollution measuring devices.