In the 1905-06 academic year 10 geography courses were offered -Jefferson taught six. In geology, Sherzer taught all geology courses (in the Natural Science Department) - a total of seven to include Paleontology, Minerals and Rocks, as well as preparatory Nature Study. Sherzer and Jefferson were both read nationally and internationally; at the same time they provided a variety of field experiences and were excellent teachers.

In 1915 Jefferson became exasperated with "grave defects of current geographic doctrine"(MSNC Bulletin, 1915, p 76) and designed an introductory yet comprehensive course - "ll. Teachers' Geography" - for elementary teachers and other geography students. The course became a keystone offering for the next 25 years (as "Principles of Geography"). Jefferson stressed content and correct methodology. "The old-time teaching about the climates of the earth has the merit of simplicity," he said, "but it is often the simplicity of ignorance, teaching what is simply not so..." (MSNC, 1916, p. 76). Also "Climate figures a good deal in the course especially in so far as the explanation of rainfall is concerned, for the distribution of rainfall over the earth enables man to live and thrive in favored localities." Qj2j~ p. 76). T~his announcement is permeated with the deterministic concepts of Ellsworth Huntington (1876-1947), a close colleague at Yale University and frequent visitor to the Jefferson household. It was during these years that Huntington's ideas on human geography as influenced by physical factors - especially climate - began to emerge. Between 1905 and 1915 Huntington published a number of works including The Pulse of Asia (1907) and Civilization and Climate (1915) which related, rather directly, human activity and climate (Martin, 1973).

In 1927, the 75th anniversary of the Normal, Huntington provided the program's keynote address; "How Environment Strengthens Its Chains" to the gathered faculty and student body (MSNC, 1927). This address was then published in the (campus produced) The American Schoolmaster (1928). Excursions and the War Years Jefferson traveled extensively and had a well-balanced appreciation for both human and physical geography. He traveled, usually in the summer months, to Europe, Middle and South America and throughout the United States. Here he had an opportunity to expand his research interests and become acquainted with several geographers, many of whom became firm friends.

In 1912, the American Geographical Society's (A.G.S.) Transcontinental Excursion was arranged by W. M. Davis to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the Society. Jefferson, Bowman and R. Dodge (a former students of Davis), were appointed marshals of the 57-day field trip which covered some 13,000 miles and attracted geographers from around the world (Martin, 1968, p. 1~38-39). During his many trips Jefferson became acquainted with numerous eminent geographers of the day. Aurousseau, Brigham, Brunhes, Chisholm, Demangeon, Gallois, de Martonne, and Ogilvie form but a short representative list. He was an avid photographer and frequently used a stereoscopic camera. On a field excursion from Dublin to Rome (66 days) Jefferson generated notes totaling about 20,000 words and took 600 photographs. The materials were extensively used in classes and several of the photos appeared in his book Man in Europe (1924). His numerous trips are reflected in the Department's offerings in 1922. In the Normal College Year Book (1922) the following remarks were penned by a seemingly rigid professor, "Students are not encouraged to specialize in Geography unless they have unusual aptitude and capacity ... Most of the advanced courses deal with countries in Europe or South America where Professor Jefferson has lived and traveled and where he has made pictures from which our lantern slides are taken" (MSNC, 1922, p. 119). Nineteen courses were offered by Jefferson and the newly hired Margaret Sill. Beyond "Teachers' Geography" and "Field Geography," most courses (11) were regional rather than systematic (e.g. Europe, Latin America, The Balkans, Scandinavia) Qb-[d. p. 119-120). Thus a regional theme, encouraged by direct field experiences, global war, and his contact with renowned "regionalists" moved the Department in a new direction.

The First World War reacquainted Jefferson with former students. Bowman, who studied and taught under Jefferson at the turn of the century (1901-04) was now Director of the A.G.S., which housed the "American Commission to Negotiate Peace." In 1918, Jefferson was selected Chief Cartographer to the Inquiry and he chose Charles Stratton, a former Normal student, as his first assistant (Martin, 1968, p. 72). This experience provided an opportunity for Jefferson to prepare and encourage the A.G.S. to create good quality maps for sale to the public. In a letter to Bowman on February 14, 1916, Jefferson exclaimed "Everybody needs a good base [map]. The A.G.S. will get it all back in sales if it lets us have them! Make one at 1:7,000,000 another about 1:30,000,000. There must be an immense demand..." (Jefferson, 1916).