What you will study
On this course you will study core modules in geographical theory and research methods along with optional modules in the areas of Human Geography, Physical Geography, and Geographical Information Systems (GIS) where you will learn about digital mapping and spatial analysis. In this way you can tailor your course to suit your interests and career aspirations.
For example, if you are interested in Human Geography you can specialise in human modules, or if you are interested in Physical Geography you can focus on physical/environmental modules. If, by contrast, you are interested in a blend of human and physical issues you can choose a mix of modules from across the spectrum of the discipline. You can also choose to focus on Geographic Information Systems (GIS) as this is offered in both core and optional modules.
Year 1
Year 1 provides a foundation in human and physical geography. You'll be introduced to a broad range of key transferable skills, including geographical information systems (GIS). You gain an understanding of the Earth, its environments, and the global concerns of humanity.
Year 1 (Core modules)
Introduction to Physical Geography and Environmental Hazards
30 credits
This is a Level 4 module for Geography and Environmental Science students. Core lectures introduce key fundamental topics in physical geography, overviewing the various spheres of the Earth, associated processes and interaction. Themes are presented systematically as a cross-section of the Earth's physical structure: geological underpinning, Earth surface processes (introducing geomorphology, the pedosphere and hydrosphere), the atmosphere, and the biosphere. Interwoven within these topics will be lectures on associated environmental hazards, including geophysical hazards (eg. volcanic eruptions, earthquakes and tsunamis), atmospheric hazards (including hurricanes and tornadoes) and environmental and ecological hazards (including oil spills, mine contamination and wildfires). The processes behind these major natural and man-made environmental hazards will be described, with reasons provided for their occurrence and global spatial distribution. Detailed case studies will be provided for each hazard, from a variety of geographical regions, in order to build a portfolio of examples, enhancing your knowledge of the processes, impacts and means of forecasting and mitigating against the hazards becoming disasters. The module is a pre-requisite for Level 5 environmental and geographical modules: Geomorphology and Geophysical Hazards; Land Water and the Environment; Ecology and Conservation. The module introduces you to the application of geophysical knowledge and skills and potential discipline-related employment opportunities and alerts you to a range of transferable employability skills that will be developed throughout the module. These include discipline-based skills by identifying applications of geophysical knowledge to real world challenges and transferable skills developed in the learning activities and related assessments.
Introducing Human Geography
30 credits
This module is designed to introduce students to key geographical theories and concepts whilst providing a foundation for future studies in Human Geography. Students gain a broad understanding of the relationship between human societies and a range of economic, cultural, social and political processes at a variety of scales.
The module is delivered using lectures and seminars and is supported by a range of online materials. The lectures introduce students to key geographical themes and ideas with the seminars providing the opportunity to explore these further in a group setting. The module provides an essential introduction to future human geography modules that focus in more detail on key geographical theories, concepts, and processes.
Digital Earth and Spatial Analysis
30 credits
Digital Earth: Spatial Analysis introduces and develops the fundamental geographical skills of data collection, analysis and presentation and the solving of spatial problems using GIS. It concerns data types, representations of reality and key spatial analysis techniques. GIS-based skills are important employability skills for geography and environment students with many course-relevant employers requiring a working knowledge of GIS and the application of GIS to solve real world geographical and environmental challenges. Digital literacy employability skills will be introduced and developed in this module and the module will provide a baseline for those taking GG5155 Cartography, Remote Sensing and Spatial Analysis at Level 5 and GG6140 GIS: Transforming Geography and Environment at Level 6.
Research and Fieldwork Methods
30 credits
This is a module for all Level 4 Geography and Environmental Science students. The module introduces a range of generic and discipline specific research and fieldwork methods. Students are introduced to their course learning aims and identify their learning targets from Induction to graduation and their alignment to their learning pathway. Students are tutored in a range of learning techniques (eg. critical thinking and communication skills) and are introduced to assessment for learning and the role of feedback, reflection and feedforward as an integrated part of their learning journey. Students are introduced to a range of research methods that form the basis of successful investigations in their subject areas, including research design, information acquisition, qualitative and quantitative analysis and critical interpretation.
Year 2
In Year 2, you will develop research, analytical and practical skills through field trips at home and overseas. You'll also deepen your knowledge of GIS and specialise in particular areas of human and physical geography.
Year 2 (core modules)
Advanced Research and Fieldwork Methods
30 credits
This module is core for all Level 5 Geography students and forms a bridge between Level 4 GG4090 Research and Fieldwork Methods and Level 6 GG6400 Research Project. This module also complements GG5002 Geographical Theory and Practice.
This is a research methods focused module where you will engage in classroom based data collection and analysis practical sessions in TB1 and put your learning into practice in a field-based setting in TB2. On completion of this module you will have gained first - hand experience of qualitative and quantitative research methods in both a classroom and a real-world environment. This complements the work that you do in Geographical Research Theory and Practice (GG5002) and prepares you for the level 6 dissertation.
Geographical Theory and Practice
30 credits
This module focuses on the development of geographical thought and practice from the institutionalisation of the discipline to the present. In doing so, the module traces the shifting paradigms that have dominated the discipline and examines the multiple approaches now possible within geographical research and the methodologies that underpin them. Focussing on a range of topics, part student selected, the module will explore the diverse ways that geographers working in different paradigms have approached these topics.
Having developed a sound knowledge of geographical research, theory and practice, you will then develop an independent research proposal. In doing so, you will identify a topic of your choice, select a suitable disciplinary perspective from which to examine it and an appropriate method of investigation. Within the first part of the module you will gain a thorough understanding of the nature of geographical research. In the second part of the module, you will apply this knowledge through the development of your own research project. This module builds on research methods developed at level 4 and lays the groundwork for your dissertation at level 6. This module complements GG5001 Advanced Research and Fieldwork Methods where you develop specific research methods and put research into practise in a real world context.
A Personal Tutorial System (PTS) will run in parallel to the taught elements of the module whereby you will integrate and develop your learning from this module to the wider academic and professional/workplace context. The PTS will emphasise key employability skills that will be acquired through the production of the research projects and through your reflection on employability embedded in other level 5 modules.
Year 2 (optional modules in Physical Geography)
Geomorphology and geophysical hazards
30 credits
This module presents a series of thematic taught sessions overviewing major geomorphological processes and landforms, sedimentary environments and geophysical hazards. The module builds upon foundations of GG4080 Introducing Physical Geography and Environmental Hazards. On completion of the module you will gain a detailed understanding of the major surface processes and their geomorphological significance and will be able to interpret a range of sedimentary environments. Module themes will reflect on likely hazards linked to geomorphological processes, including floods, coastal change (including impacts of sea-level change on coastal environments), slope stability, geological controls on geomorphology such as fault movement and associated and sediments (and sedimentary structures) created by events such as tsunamis and ash falls.
The module emphasises the mastery of geomorphological skills through experiential learning closely associated to core lecture delivery. The practical programme will aid you in evaluating key geomorphological concepts, learning and testing analytical techniques. Fieldwork programme provides an arena for applying new skills and knowledge gained and provides a learning bridge to those wishing to pursue physical geographical and/or hazards based research projects at Level 6.
Rivers, Oceans and Atmospheres
30 credits
This module explores the physical science of Earth's hydrosphere and the atmosphere, key processes and principles, and associated hazards. Through a sculpted narrative, the module will take students on a explorative journey of physical processes from the source of river systems, through the upper, middle and lower river courses, to the varied river mouth environments and out onto the continental shelf and deep oceans. Once learning about the deep oceans, ocean circulation and ocean heat transport, the curriculum will transition naturally into learning about the atmosphere, atmospheric heat transport, wind patterns and how oceanic and atmospheric processes are coupled.
Year 2 (optional modules in Human Geography)
Disasters, Society and Culture
30 credits
This Level 5 module introduces the key theories and concepts in the social science approaches to understanding disasters, one of the major global challenges facing humanity. It explores the social, cultural, political, economic and other factors that combine to construct vulnerabilities to disasters, and the ways in which these might be countered through disaster risk reduction strategies (DRR). These issues are explored at a range of spatial scales, from the local to the global, along with the inter-linkages and process that bind them together. The relationship between evolving theories and practice are explored through a number of case studies which consider developed and developing world examples across a variety of hazard types. The challenges posed by the interdisciplinary approaches that are necessary to tackle disasters, and the need to communicate with a wide range of stakeholders, are examined. The complex range of factors influencing DRR implementation in particular contexts, and the variety of skills needed to evaluate DRR are investigated through fieldwork. Employability skills and the transferability of acquired knowledge to the workplace environment are introduced and developed.
Contours of Global Capitalism
30 credits
This module is a core module in the Human Geography field. It can be taken as an option module by those studying other fields provided they have successfully completed GE1B, Introduction to Human Geography.
The module is designed to introduce you to the basic principles of investigating a range of contemporary global issues in terms of their political economy. This includes a wide range of spatial issues from the local to the global and the inter-linkages and process that bind them together. The key focus is to understand how contemporary capitalism plays out across different spatial levels and to highlight the processes that underpin it and the implications for different communities. This includes exploring relations between, state, business and citizens.
Optional sandwich year
The optional sandwich year between Years 2 and 3 includes a work placement or international exchange. The work placement gives an opportunity for paid work and valuable experience in a relevant professional environment.
The international exchange gives you an opportunity to travel, meet new people, build links in another academic environment and develop your geographical skills and knowledge.
We will keep in touch with you throughout your placement, ensuring the skills and training you receive translate effectively into your studies and career aspirations.
Year 3/4
Your final year will enable you to continue to specialise in areas of geography you find inspiring and choose from modules covering a wide range of topics. Your final year independent research project will reflect your personal interests and help you develop your employability skills. You can also choose to apply your knowledge and skills either in an overseas setting (currently in South Africa) or more locally in London.
Final year (core modules)
Development Geographies
30 credits
This module is a core module in the BA Human Geography and the BSc Geography programme. The module introduces you to critical issues of development including themes such as economic growth, poverty, exclusion, inequality, natural hazards, gender and conflict. It also explores the relations within and between countries and the challenges of development and aid in the context of globalisation. The module includes substantial fieldwork or independent desk-based research. Whilst it introduces theories of development, it is an applied module which seeks to empower you to debate contemporary geographical and environmental issues within an international context. Assessment seeks to engage you in critical appraisal of real world situations, and in strategic planning of interventions, so enhancing your practical skills and employability.
Research Project
30 credits
The module is core to those on the geographical and environmental courses. It provides experience in the design, execution and preparation of an independent but approved programme of research. Furthermore, through the Personal Tutorial System (PTS) it encourages you to employ reflective learning techniques and to develop a variety of level-appropriate employability skills by engaging with their research project as a piece of academic research with commercial, policy or political value which requires effective dissemination and communication to a range of suitable audiences. Employability skills developments are integral to the Research Project module. The specific nature of the research project chosen allows you to target specific skills you wish to develop in your learning pathway and the PTS will work closely with you to identify and articulate these skills through the associated module assessments.
Final year (optional modules in Physical Geography)
Land and Water Resources Management
30 credits
The module examines the relationship between land and water management, global challenges associated with the management of land and water, and sustainable options to seek their resolution. The module will develop an understanding and critical evaluation of these challenges from several perspectives through the systematic investigation of land-use practices, the applications of soil science and linking practices to processes and patterns of land degradation, the interface between land management and water management, global concerns for water security, land use impacts on the wider environment, including climate, physical and socio-political drivers and an examination of the regional land-water management issues.
The Challenge of Climate Change
30 credits
This is a core Level 6 module for all Environmental Science and Environmental Science, Disasters and Management Students. This module tackles the key issues relating to climate change in the three main subject areas of science, policy and society. It aims to provide you with an understanding of the key concepts and processes of climate change and the various ways in which societies can respond. Core factual material is provided via Canvas with keynote lectures, seminars and workshops used to explain concepts. Fieldwork sessions are designed to complement the lecture series and give further practical demonstration of policy and practice complexities.
Final year (optional modules in Human Geography)
Urban Geographies
30 credits
This module is a core module in the Human Geography Field. It can also be taken as an option module by those studying in other fields provided they have taken either Social and Cultural Geographies, Contours of Global Capitalism or Regional Geographies.
The module reviews current perspectives on notions and understandings of what constitutes urban spaces and approaches to studying urban environments, exploring critical perspectives and intervention strategies that construct these environments.
It also explores the relationship between urban form and identity and questions the links between cultural practices and concepts of community, with a particular focus on social processes, urban spaces and design within the built environment.
Additionally, after completing this module, you should have further developed your ability to make and record accurate observations in the field; present conclusions in a logical, intelligible manner; and increased your ability to work as a part of a team.
Global Rural Geographies
30 credits
This module is core in the Human Geography field. This module can be taken as an option module in several fields provided they have successfully passed Regional Geographies, Social and Cultural Geographies or Contours of Capitalism at level 5. It aims to provide you with an understanding of contemporary debates relating to rural areas in both the developed and developing world. It examines the processes and patterns of contemporary change in rural regions and analyses the factors conditioning the restructuring of rural land use and rural economic, social and cultural systems across the world.
Final year (optional modules in GIS)
GIS Transforming Geography and Environment
30 credits
This module has a twin focus on changes that have impacted on Geography and Environment over recent decades and how these have created opportunities for geographical and spatial investigation to address an expanding range of applications. Information technology, in particular GIS, is one of the major drivers of change and this module explores the application of GIS in a range of domains encompassing socio-demographic, economic, political, environmental, natural and anthropogenic hazard events.
