Geography involves more than learning place names, although North Carolina can claim some pretty strange ones: Pig Basket Creek, Dirty Britches Creek and Rabbit Shuffle, for instance. Geography shapes economics, politics, agriculture and other aspects of life every day in North Carolina.

"There is a story behind every current event, and most times, the real story involves geography," said Dr. Neal Lineback, professor emeritus in the Depart-ment of Geography and Planning at Appalachian State University.

North Carolina educators can discover how these stories relate to our state's fascinating history and current trends. Beginning Thursday, March 1, the N.C. Museum of History offers the six-week online course, North Carolina Geography. Tar Heel teachers can earn continuing education credit (up to 40 contact hours), including reading and technology credits.

The workshop session titles reflect the course's diverse content: "Immigration and Migration," "Primary Economic Activities," "Manufacturing and Services," "Folklife," and "North Carolina Places." The self-directed course includes printable handouts, links to relevant Web sites, and tips for evaluating Web sites and using the Internet in the classroom.

A printable registration form is available at www.ncmuseumof history.org/collateral/profdevelop ment.pdf. A registration form and $35 fee are required by Monday, Feb. 26. Class size will be limited to 30 participants. For more information call 919-807-7971 or e-mail jessica.humphries@ncmail.net.

For information about upcoming 2007 online courses, access the Web site www.ncmuseumof history.org/edu/outreach.html#online.

"Stories From the Civil War" begins May 1, and "North Carolina at Home and in Battle During World War II" starts July 1.