Geography BA (Hons)

In the second year you will explore in more depth the human geography themes studied in the first year, for example society and culture, consumption geographies and international development. Skills in research, data collection and analysis will be taught in class and put into practice on an international field trip. You will also have the opportunity to select one optional module to further your specific interests in GIS, climate change or contemporary environmental issues.

Modules

• Society, Culture and Space - 20 credits

  This module aims to provide a broad introduction to contemporary social and cultural geographies. It is both concerned with the traditions of social geographical enquiry and informed by more recent theoretical developments, sometimes conceptualised as a ‘cultural turn’ in human geography.

  Compulsory

• Shop ‘til you Drop: Geographies of Consumption - 20 credits

  This module aims to provide you with an understanding of the geographies of consumption from both a political-economic and socio-cultural economic perspective.

  Compulsory

• Development, Culture and Change - 20 credits

  This module examines processes leading to social and economic development with a particular focus on the Global South. Theoretical and historical perspectives of the concept of development are introduced and different ways of measuring development evaluated.

  Compulsory

• Fieldwork and Research Applications - 30 credits

  The aim of this module to further develop research methods and skills in geography, specifically focusing on developing the skills and understanding necessary to undertake a final year research project. The module is designed to challenge you to think critically, independently and as part of a team.

  Compulsory

• Add+vantage - 10 credits

  You will also be able to take an Add+vantage module which can allow you to develop your CV by taking credits in an area of study that doesn’t have to be related to your degree. The assessment type will depend on the type of Add+vantage module you wish to take.

  Compulsory

  Assessment: coursework, exam

• Applied GIS and Remote Sensing – 20 credits

  This module is concerned with geo-referenced datasets of various types; their integration, analysis and presentation. The aim of this module is to convey understanding in the principles of geo-referenced data: the theory, acquisition, processing methods and presentation.

  Optional

• Climate Change: The Science and Symptoms - 20 credits

  Often described by politicians as the biggest threat to humanity, climate change is viewed by many as the most pressing issue facing the world today. This module aims to examine in detail the science of climate change so that you can begin to formulate your own critical opinion of the subject.

  Optional

• Contemporary Environmental Issues – 20 credits

  This module is concerned with assessing human impacts on the environment. Environmental issues are often in the news, can be controversial, and sometimes engender conflicting views, but are frequently treated only partially or superficially in public debates.

  Optional

Following your second year, you will have an option to apply for a one-year professional work placement or study abroad in a partner institution.*

If you wish to undertake the optional study abroad/placement year, you will take either the Placement Year module or the Study Abroad Year module which both typically run for a full academic year between years 2 and 3 of your course. You are normally able to progress onto the relevant module if you have successfully completed the first two years of the course (i.e. having accumulated 240 credits) and have a confirmed opportunity two weeks prior to the start of the academic year. However, we encourage international students to confirm their placements earlier to ensure they are able to meet any applicable visa requirements.

Students opting for either the work placement or study abroad module will be registered on a non-credit bearing module and therefore no additional tuition fees apply. Whilst the modules do not bear credits, they do require completion of marked activities reflecting on your placement/study abroad or work placement experience. Following successful completion of the activities, the module selected will appear on your final academic transcript. Students will thus graduate with 360 credits in total, assuming successful completion of their final year.

Please note that we are unable to guarantee any placement or study abroad opportunities and that all such opportunities may be subject to additional costs (e.g. travel, visas and accommodation etc.), competitive application, availability and/or meeting any applicable visa requirements. To ensure that you fully understand the requirements in this regard, please contact the International Office for further details if you are an EU or International student.

Modules

• Professional Placement

  Optional

• Study Abroad

  Optional

In your final year, you will have the opportunity to study more specialised options including alternative subcultures, geographies of social exclusion and marginalisation and development, conflict and health. An international field trip* provides the opportunity to further your field skills and to widen your international experience. Trips are subsided for all students.

In addition, you will be able to focus on a topic of your own choice for your final year project. Past students have looked at Fairtrade cities, British Muslim identities, food waste, geographies of rap music culture, experiences of Polish migrants in the UK, sustainable development in West Africa and Cultural Economies, to name just a few examples.

Modules

• Research Dissertation – 30 credits

  The aim of this module is to enable you to develop your research skills by conducting primary or secondary research focused on a specific problem of relevance to their discipline. You would use different methods and research skills to effectively communicate research novelties and ideas to the academic and non-academic communities.

  Compulsory

• International Fieldwork for Human Geography - 20 credits

  This module aims to give you the opportunity to extend fieldwork skills, methodologies and techniques by field study in a non-UK setting. A number of issues, depending on the specific degree studied, will be investigated in the field study location, all underpinned with a keen knowledge and appreciation of health and safety issues whilst in the field.

  Compulsory

• Living on the Edge: Geographies of Marginalisation - 20 credits

  This module aims to provide critical insight into the geographies of marginalised social groups by examining processes and implications of social and spatial exclusion. It will focus on historical and contemporary case studies to understand issues faced by some marginalised groups who have traditionally been excluded from social life.

  Compulsory

• Add+vantage - 10 credits

  You will also be able to take an Add+vantage module which can allow you to develop your CV by taking credits in an area of study that doesn’t have to be related to your degree. The assessment type will depend on the type of Add+vantage module you wish to take.

  Compulsory

  Assessment: coursework, exam

• Shaping Places: Planning, Sustainable, Environment – 20 credits

  The aim of the module is to explore planning and sustainability in relation to the built and natural environment. Using a range of historical and contemporary case studies in the UK and Global contexts, the module will examine debates around urban development, key concepts relating to urban design and issues pertaining to sustainability and the environment.

  Optional

• Four Horsemen: War, Pestilence, Famine, Death - 20 credits

  The aim of this module is to examine contemporary issues related to conflict and peace, food security and insecurity, and disease. The module will examine the contested debates around conflict, violence and peace, including resulting population patterns such as migration, and their contexts within development.

  Optional

• Geo Informatics – 20 credits

  This module will enable you to develop a more detailed understanding of the principles and applications of GIS and Remote Sensing specific to your degree focus, and to use the knowledge and skills you acquire in a variety of human, physical and natural hazard applications.

  Optional

• Sex, Drugs and Rock and Roll: Alternative Geographies of Pleasure – 20 credits

  This module aims to provide critical insight into contemporary geographies of alternative lifestyles, subcultures and ‘other’ forms of pleasure. The module will use various theoretical perspectives, such as recent developments in Queer theory and feminist geographies, to critically engage with the often unseen or hidden geographies of people whose lifestyles may challenge accepted norms.

  Optional