Joseph Holler
Assistant Professor of Geography
- Office
- McCardell Bicen Hall 634
- Tel
- (802) 443-5992
- josephh@middlebury.edu
- Office Hours
- On leave through Spring 2023
- Additional Programs
- Geography
Dr. Holler is a human geographer and geographic information scientist. His research interests are in social vulnerability and adaptation in the context of climate change and environmental degradation. He uses geographic information systems, qualitative, participatory, and quantitative methods in his research. Holler’s research intersects with work in political ecology, development geography, human dimensions of global change, and geographic information science.
Holler earned his bachelor of arts degree from Ithaca College in 2003, with majors in media studies, computer science, and anthropology/archeology. After graduation, he joined the U.S. Peace Corps in Tanzania to work in secondary schools as an information technology administrator, teacher and technician. Two years of teaching and development work inspired him to learn more about the structural causes of poverty and environmental degradation and seek out methods to address them.
Holler enrolled in the geography doctoral program and geographic information science (GIScience) IGERT doctoral fellowship at the University at Buffalo, where he integrated studies of GIScience, economic geography, and ecosystem conservation/restoration. He applied his studies in an internship with the Jane Goodall Institute and subsequently developed dissertation research on social vulnerability and adaptation on Mount Kilimanjaro.
Holler completed his degree September 2012 and started teaching human geography and GIS at the University of Mary Washington. This year he is further developing his teaching skills in Middlebury College’s innovative GIS curriculum.
Courses Taught
ENVS 0700
Senior Independent Study
Course Description
Senior Independent Study
In this course, seniors complete an independent research or creative project on a topic pertinent to the relationship between humans and the environment. During the term prior to enrolling in ENVS 0700, a student must discuss and agree upon a project topic with a faculty advisor who is appointed in or affiliated with the Environmental Studies Program and submit a brief project proposal to the Director of Environmental Studies for Approval. The expectations and any associated final products will be defined in consultation with the faculty advisor. Students may enroll in ENVS 0700 as a one-term independent study OR up to twice as part of a multi-term project, including as a lead-up to ENVS 0701 (ES Senior Thesis) or ENVS 0703 (ES Senior Integrated Thesis). (Senior standing; Approval only)
Terms Taught
ENVS 0703
Senior Integrated Thesis
Course Description
Senior Integrated Thesis
This course is the culminating term of a multi-term independent project, resulting in a senior thesis on a topic pertinent to the relationship between humans and the environment and that meaningfully integrates perspectives, methodologies, and/or approaches from multiple academic divisions (e.g., humanities/arts, natural sciences, social sciences). Approval to enroll is contingent on successful completion of at least one term (and up to two) of ENVS 0700 and approval of the Environmental Studies Program. The project, carried out under the co-supervision of two faculty advisors from different academic divisions of whom at least one is appointed in or affiliated with the Environmental Studies Program, will result in a substantial piece of scholarly work that will be presented to other ENVS faculty and students in a public forum and defended before the thesis committee. (Open to Senior ENVS majors) (Approval Only)
Terms Taught
FYSE 1547
Water Rights and Resources
Course Description
Water as a Human Right and Fugitive Resource
Safe and clean drinking water and sanitation are now recognized by the United Nations as human rights. However, water is a "fugitive" resource with dangerous variability in its quantity and quality over space and time. How does society manage the spatial-temporal variability of the water cycle, and how does the cycle in turn shape society? We will answer these questions through comparative geographic analysis of case studies in the northeast U.S. and east Africa, drawing on evidence from maps and geographic information systems, field trip observations, survey data, published research, and water law and policy. 3 hrs. sem.
Terms Taught
Requirements
GEOG 0120
Human Geography with GIS
Course Description
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. 3 hrs. lect./3 hrs. lab.
Terms Taught
Requirements
GEOG 0209
Upcoming
Human Geography of Hazards
Course Description
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. 3 hrs. lect./lab
Terms Taught
Requirements
GEOG 0323
Upcoming
Open Source GIScience
Course Description
Open Source Geographic Information Science
In this course, we will study geographic information science (GIScience) by reproducing published research with open-source geospatial software.
We will debate issues in GIScience by applying critical GIS scholarship, fundamentals of spatial data and analysis, and evidence from our reproduction studies. We will practice open GIScience by collaboratively developing research plans, acquiring and describing spatial data, analyzing and visualizing data with SQL and R, and testing for error and uncertainty. Our research products and results will be published with open science standards in public portfolios. We typically investigate research with themes of human-environment interactions, health, hazards, urban development, and more.These research themes require and integrate social/demographic data, environmental data, and big data. (GEOG 0120, GEOG 0150, or GEOG 1230) 3 hrs. lect./disc./3 hrs. lab
Terms Taught
Requirements
GEOG 0428
Geog of Climate & Development
Course Description
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. (Senior majors only, or by approval)
Terms Taught
Requirements
GEOG 0500
Independent Study
Course Description
Independent Study
A one-credit intensive research project developed under the direction of a faculty member. Junior majors only. (Approval Required)
Terms Taught
GEOG 0700
Upcoming
Senior Research
Course Description
Senior Research
A one-credit intensive research project developed under the direction of a faculty member. Senior majors only. (Approval Required)
Terms Taught
GEOG 0701
Current
Upcoming
Senior Thesis
Course Description
Senior Thesis
Students with a departmental GPA of 3.3 or higher are eligible to complete a two-credit senior thesis. In order to complete a senior thesis, students must have a proposal approved by a primary thesis advisor and a secondary departmental reader prior to registering for the first 0701 credit. Upon completion of the thesis, thesis students will present their work in a public seminar and defend the thesis in front of the departmental faculty. Thesis presentations and defenses will typically take place during the final week of classes or the examination period. Upon completion of the presentation and defense, the primary advisor and secondary departmental reader will be responsible for evaluating and grading the thesis. It is strongly encouraged that students considering a thesis discuss their ideas with an advisor during the semester prior to registering for formal thesis credits. (Approval only)
Terms Taught