- Students are to follow the requirements of the Handbook for the year they commenced the course.
However, the subject links below do not contain the subject information for the current year. You can view current subject information through the new Course Handbook.
Human Geography
The course information on this page is for new students commencing their degree in 2016 only.
Students should follow the rules and requirements for the year that they commenced their course. The online course information for years prior to 2016 are available from the Archives link in the menu.
Students should also review current subject availabilities via the Subject Descriptions link in the menu.
This major is for students in the Bachelor of Social Science and assumes separate completion of human geography subjects that are part of the core requirements for that degree.
Human Geography is a social science that focuses on space, place and people. Human Geography examines the interaction of human societies with the biophysical environment. It analyses a diversity of cultural, economic, political and social processes across different geographical scales. The course explores 6 key themes:
- life in a globalising world;
- the material world;
- environmental knowledge and management;
- rural and regional places;
- urban worlds; and
- thinking spatially.
Geography is crucial to understanding a number of key contemporary concerns including: sustainability, climate change, population movements and social inequalities. Fieldwork is used to explore these themes through the use of case studies; it gives students the opportunity to consider issues of social justice and ethics, and develop transferable work skills. Job opportunities include various research officer positions within corporate, non-governmental agencies and municipal, State and Commonwealth Departments and agencies.
Subjects Required for Major Study
A major in Human Geography requires the successful completion of at least 48 credit points of subjects in accordance with the table and recommended progression below. Note: a maximum of one subject may be cross counted with the core requirements of the Bachelor of Social Science.
| Subject Code | Subject Name | Credit Points | Session(s) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 2 | |||
| Autumn | |||
| EESC103 * | Earth's Dynamic Surface | 6 | Autumn |
| GEOG221 | Population Geography: A Global Perspective on People and Place | 6 | Autumn |
| Spring | |||
| and at least 12 credit points from: | |||
| GEOG222 | Environmental Impact of Societies | 6 | Spring |
| GEOG224 | Rural and Regional Geography: Social Change and Policy | 6 | Spring |
| GEOG231 | Spatial Technologies for the Social Sciences | 6 | Spring |
| Year 3 | |||
| Autumn | |||
| GEOG336 | Qualitative Research Design for Social Scientists | 6 | Autumn First Offered 2017 |
| GEOG338 | Planning Urban Futures | 6 | Autumn First Offered 2017 |
| Spring | |||
| GEOG337 | Environmental and Heritage Management | 6 | Spring First Offered 2017 |
| GEOG353 | Qualitative GIS | 6 | Spring First Offered 2017 |
* At regional campuses, EESC103 may be substituted with AUST101 Australian Studies: Cultures and Identities.
Recommended Electives
The following subjects are recommended for students who have elective space in their program.
| Subject Code | Subject Name | Credit Points | Session(s) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 100 Level | |||
| GEOG123 | Indigenous Geographies | 6 | Spring |
| SCIE103 | Climate Change | 6 | Spring |
| EESC101 | Planet Earth | 6 | Autumn |
| 200 Level | |||
| EESC203 | Biogeography and Environmental Change | 6 | Autumn |
| STS 216 | Environment Sociology and Politics | 6 | Spring |
| HIST292 | Water in Australia: An Environmental History | 6 | Spring First Offered in 2017 |
| 300 Level | |||
| GEOG335 | Directed Studies in Geography and Sustainable Communities A | 6 | Autumn First Offered in 2018 |
| GEOG339 | Geographies of Change: International Fieldwork Intensive | 6 | Summer First Offered in 2017 |
| INDS302 | Indigenous Thinkers: Global Perspectives | 6 | Spring First Offered in 2018 |
| STS 320 | New Biosciences &the Body: Contemp Issues in Soc Sciences & Medicine | 6 | Spring First Offered in 2018 |
Credit Arrangements
Credit and articulation arrangements are available from the Course Finder. Refer to UOW's credit arrangements for information on how to apply for credit.
Other Information
Further information is available at:
UOW Course Finder
Email: ssc@uow.edu.au