Development Geography

Overview

If you care about the world we live in, and wish to learn more about the environmental, social and geopolitical issues and challenges facing the developed and developing world today, then the Foundation Degree in Development Geography is the course for you.

Why choose this course?

Take a work placement in a developing country, plus the opportunity of a placement with a Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) in the UK.

Training in practical geographical skills and those used by NGO practitioners.

Excellent pastoral and academic support, with benefits of a student peer mentoring scheme.

Small, friendly department, with approachable and knowledgeable tutors with considerable experience of overseas fieldwork.

On successful completion of the Foundation Degree you can apply to the third year of the Geography course to ‘top up’ your qualification to a BSc Honours degree.

About the course

The course explores the main themes and issues of development, with particular focus on developing countries, and environmental sustainability. In the first year you will gain knowledge about development theory and the concept of sustainable development, and become practised in methods of scientific investigation. The application of geographical methods and techniques will enable you to examine real-world development problems, such as global inequality, women’s roles in development, population trends, health and education resources, environmental degradation, energy resources, climate change, sustainable communities, and geohazards.

Topics covered in the course include (in Year 1) introduction to geography; development and sustainability; physical landscapes; tourism geographies; Earth observation; global food issues; (in Year 2) sustainable communities; climate change; research methods.

Also you will develop a range of skills that will prepare you for the remainder of your course as well as your future career. Skills include computing (such as Geographic Information Systems), laboratory and field-based work, researching and analysing data to aid decision making, working alone and in teams, executing a field investigation, and clear communication, both written and oral.

The unique feature of this two-year programme is that you will undertake a work placement in a developing country. Past students have worked in an orphanage or school in south India or Sri Lanka, helped to build a school in Ghana, worked on an archaeology conservation project in Peru, and undertaken conservation projects in Cambodia, the Peruvian Amazon jungle and in Costa Rica. In addition to your work placement, you also undertake an academic project. These opportunities and many other destinations and work placements are provided by Projects Abroad, with whom we work closely.

And with future careers in mind, a second year module provides the opportunity to further investigate career options. You will undertake a work placement with an appropriate employer or Non-Governmental Organisation in the UK.

What will I study?

The FdSc course currently offers the following modules (subject to availability):-

Year 1 (Level 4)

Foundations in Geography (core) introduces the dynamics of earth science and spatial social science. You'll learn about geology, climate, rivers and coasts, and how society constututes places and human movement and identity. Blends your knowledge with useful practical skills.

Development and Sustainability (core) - Poverty, inequality, resource depletion and environmental stress challenge people and shape places all over the world. Explore one of the key geographical questions odf today: can global development be sustainable?

Physical Landscapes (option) - The focus is geomorphology, the form of the landscape and the processes that created it. You'll explore different landscapes formed by water, ice and wind, as well as volcanoes.

Tourism Geographies (option) - People, places, environments and movement are key geographical subjects, and tourism provides a conceptual and professional vantage point for exploring their interactions.

Earth Observation (option) - We introduce satellite and aerial imaging in theory and practice. Learn how to collect data using satellite navigation techniques and consider their value to today's society and economy.

Global Food Issues (option) - Explore topical issues such as global agriculture, GM crops, food miles, pesticides that are so important issues for development.

Year 2 (Level 5)

Geography and Geographers: Investigating Environment and Society (core) - Learn the key knowledge, skills and methods necessary to design and execute your own research project. You'll also build on your information-gathering skills.

Sustainable Communities (core) - The goal of development should be a society that lives 'well', but does so sustainably. Explore the concepts of community, sustainability and wellbeing, and ask how they can be achieved for different people and places across the globe.

Overseas Development Experience (core) - Fieldwork experience is invaluable for development professionals. Gain valuable experience living and working in a developing country for one month with the support of our partner agency.

Working in the Development Sector (core) - Research and experience the day-to-day workings of a NGO by undertaking a short (minimum of 5-10 days) work placement to explore and log the complex issues facing development work both in the UK and overseas.

Global Environmental Change (option) - Climate change is the most contentious and actively debated environmental topic of our time. Explore the science and the causes, consequences and future options, as well as the politics of global warming. Essential for understanding the impact of climate change on developing and developed countries.

Geohazards (option) - Earthquakes and landsclides afflict many world regions frequently occasioning loss of life, destruction and economic instability. Study the physical processes that trigger these events and how professionals can predict, prevent and manage them.

Education and Development (option) - Learn about how development theory and practice can be related to education in Sub-Saharan Africa. There is also an optional fieldtrip to Kenya.

The core modules are complusory - these provide you with the foundational knowledge, understanding and skills to become a development geographer. The choice of optional modules (you select 3 at Year 1, and 1 at Year 2) allows you to study specific topics and gain practical skills that may be of interest to your future career.

What do people say about the course?

"Forming relationships with people on the ground certainly makes it more real than simply reading textbooks." - Year 2 student, orphanage placement, Ghana
"I was faced with some unexpected challenges which really helped to develop my understanding of both global and local development issues" - Year 2 student, school building project, Ghana
"The course has matured into a very positive and progressive programme of study, exhibiting high standards of delivery and a well-designed curriculum." - External Examiner (2010)
“The programme continues to foster a critical approach and embeds transferable skills and critical thinking into the design of the modules and assessments in a commendable fashion.” - External Examiner (2010)

Careers

Opportunities are varied and include employment as an agency field worker or a voluntary sector worker, or careers with nongovernmental organisations and government departments. Opportunities also exist in education, tourism, and further study. The Foundation Degree is a vocational qualification, and prepares you for seeking paid or voluntary work in the development sector. Your practical field-based experience gives you the edge over more academic courses, and you can be qualified in only two years.

"Interested in getting work in the development sector? Firstly, acquire volunteering experience and, secondly, explore potential career directions." - Guest speaker, Wherever The Need NGO

The university has a Jobshop and a Voluntary Opportunities service to help you get work and voluntary experience whilst doing your course, as well as a Careers Service to help you achieve the next steps in your career.

Further study

On successful completion of the Foundation Degree you can apply to the third year of the Geography course to ‘top up’ your qualification to a BSc Honours degree.

Modules currently offered at Year 3 by the BSc Single Honours Geography course at Bath Spa University include:-

Dissertation (development topic)
Community Engagement (voluntary work in the UK)
International Fieldwork (Barcelona)
Contemporary Issues in Tourism
Globalisation

Development Matters!

Twice a year, the Development Matters! newsletter is published. Contributions from staff and students report their latest travel and placement experiences, research developments, and review talks given by guest speakers. For the latest and past issues of the newsletter, click on the Newsletter tab.