Human Geography BA (Hons)

Discover the breadth of human geography at university level, as you are introduced to contemporary issues and debates. Using examples and case studies from local, regional, national and global scales. These themes are likely to include:

• Globalisation
• Social justice and inequalities
• Sustainability
• Mobility
• Landscape spaces

You will also develop your skills in academic writing, referencing and critical thinking.

On this module you will focus on the essential concepts for understanding physical geography and geoscience. You will explore the Earth systems ranging from global atmospheric circulation and ocean systems to Earth surface processes and ecosystems, looking at how we understand patterns in the natural environment. Practical work will include field and/or laboratory work.

On this module you will focus on the essential concepts for understanding physical geography and geoscience. You will explore the Earth systems ranging from global atmospheric circulation and ocean systems to Earth surface processes and ecosystems, looking at how we understand patterns in the natural environment. Practical work will include field and/or laboratory work.

Investigate aspects of environmental changing as you develop your understanding of how to handle, process and analyse numerical data. Through a series of workshops we will introduce you to the theory behind data handling and statistical analysis, before developing your skills using software such as Microsoft Excel and IBM’s SPSS Statistics which are both widely used in industry. These skills prepare you for your own investigations later in your degree.

Engage with a range of qualitative methods commonly used in geographical research. Through a series of workshops we will introduce you to the theory behind data handling and statistical analysis, before developing your skills using software such as Microsoft Excel and IBM’s SPSS Statistics which are both widely used in industry. These skills prepare you for your own investigations later in your degree. You will also assess the ethical and health and safety considerations at a basic level involved in your study.

Environmental geography investigates human/nature relations. Through this module you will explore environmental concerns from a variety of perspectives, from society’s impact on biological and physical systems such as soil or water, through environmental policies and politics, to environmental values and identities.

On this module you will examine the relationship between space and society. You will consider how space relates to social identities, as well as how these identities are both expressed in and produce, particular spaces. This includes spaces such as the home, the workplace, public spaces and virtual spaces. There is a focus on difference, inequality and exclusion and their implications within increasingly transnational global contexts.

On this module you will consider how the concept of landscape has changed throughout history, and learn how to read landscapes from different perspectives. You will examine landscape in symbolic and material terms, engaging with debates in visual cultural theory that have shaped the geographical analysis of the past 40 years. You will approach landscapes as expressions of power, identity and economic change.

The development of sophisticated Geographical Information System (GIS) and online mapping tools in recent years has revolutionised the use of geospatial data. This module will develop your theoretical and practical understanding of these technologies and their applications. A central theme is the use of geospatial technologies to address problems and concerns associated with environmental geography. You will gain first hand experience in using the GIS flow line, collecting data, manipulating and analysing it, and then presenting it.

This module will involve working in small groups to develop research plans and then undertaking the research on a residential field trip. The module provides practical experience in conducting your own research, helping prepare you for your independent dissertation next year. During the module you will also produce a research proposal for your dissertation.

This is an opportunity to experience professional practice related to your degree. This might be a short internship, a period of shadowing a relevant professional, voluntary work in an appropriate setting or a study of a profession, workplace or employer relevant to geography. This will develop new skills and experience that will help you become more employable after you graduate. It will also help you identify areas of personal and professional development you would like to build on to prepare for your career.

Cultural and heritage tourism is a growing sector of the tourism industry at an international level. It is also a major attraction for the City of York and its region. It's an important factor in connecting our city to the international tourism industry. You will explore the impact of:

• Historical buildings and sites
• Event management
• Museums and galleries
• Food tourism
• Festivals and sport
• Local traditions and customs

Geography is an extraordinarily diverse discipline. In this module you will learn about the variety of methodological approaches that geographers use in their research, across human, physical and environmental geography. This includes paying attention to the very latest developments, as well as the ethical and political dimensions of producing geographical knowledge. The module prepares you for undertaking your own research later in your degree.

On this module we will examine some of the key environmental challenges of the 21st century, from local to global scales. Develop your understanding of environmental sustainability and its relation to social and economic sustainability. We will pay particular attention to the barriers to addressing global environmental challenges such as climate change, food, water, waste and pollution. Key themes are action and agency, from global governance through to individual decision making.

This year long module will involve working independently to research a topic of your choice. It is the culmination of your degree studies, and your chance to explore a topic you are passionate about. You will build on the research skills you developed earlier in the course, demonstrating your capacity for independent working, autonomy, self reliance and project management. Once your dissertation proposal has been approved and has passed ethical scrutiny you will work under the guidance of a tutor. A dissertation conference gives you the opportunity to present your ongoing research and allows for supportive peer discussion.

This module investigates cities and urban spaces to understand how they are shaped. Key themes of democracy and public participation in urban governance run throughout the module. You will examine cities through a range of perspectives, including economic geography, post-colonialism and sustainability, looking at how urban space is understood and contested at different scales.

On this module you will examine and expand the idea of nature and its relationship with humans. You will also look at this in relation to a variety of themes, such as:

• Medicine and health
• Food production and consumption
• Animals
• Wilderness and conservation
• Climate and the Anthropocene

You will gain a better understanding of the contemporary environmental issues that are arising and the responses to these. Overall, you will gain an understanding of various sustainability issues and the importance of the protection of the environment.

The focus of the module is a period of residential fieldwork, normally overseas. Through this module, you will be required to develop your understanding of the field locality and plan a focal investigation. You will be expected to apply geographical concepts and ideas to the field locality and communicate your findings in a creative manner.

Organisation, responsibility and self reliance are all key elements and skills you will demonstrate on this module.

This module offers you the opportunity to explore geography’s connections with other Humanities disciplines, building on key concepts from human and cultural geography introduced earlier in your degree. You will encounter the subfields of creative geographies and literary geographies, discovering how geographers have contributed to understandings of literature, and how they are using creative practices such as storytelling, poetry, art and performance in their work. The module is an opportunity for you to produce your own creative geographical work.

You will analyse the connection between social justice and sustainability in relation to climate change mitigation and adaptation on this module. Social action and public participation will be explored in the contexts of:

• Climate justice
• Environmental justice
• Ecological justice

You will also be required to examine a local urban case study, and to reflect on your own, and other's thoughts and opinions to present the need for change.

The focus of the module is a period of residential fieldwork, normally overseas. Through this module, you will be required to develop your understanding of the field locality and plan a focal investigation. You will be expected to apply geographical concepts and ideas to the field locality and communicate your findings in a creative manner.

Organisation, responsibility and self reliance are all key elements and skills you will demonstrate on this module.