Geography

Our study modules

Geography at Bath Spa is a modular subject, which means your course is composed of self-contained study modules each with their own aims, subject matter, readings, assessments, staffing, skills, field or practical work and so on. There are core and option modules: everyone must take the core modules, the options are for you to choose. In BSc Geography, the cores are all worth 40 credits, and the options are worth 20 credits: remember you have to take 120 credits each year. Class time equates to 4 hours a week for the core module and half that for options. In Year 1 you must take at least 60 credits in another subject besides your Geography modules.

Here is a list with short descriptions based on 2010-11 provision:

BSc Geography modules

First Year

Foundations in Geography (core) Dynamics of earth science and spatial social science you apply to geology, climate, rivers and coasts and to how society constitutes places and human movement and identity. Blend your knowledge with useful skills.

Introduction to Physical Landscapes The focus is geomorphology, the form of the landscape and the ancient processes that created it. Add the more recent actions of water, ice and wind and then identify the landforms that are produced.

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

Tourism Geographies People, places, environments and movement are key geographical subjects, and tourism provides a conceptual and professional vantage point for exploring their interactions in a business context.

Earth Observation: an Introduction 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.

Second Year

Geography and Geographers: Investigating Environment and Society (core) Learn the key knowledge, skills and methods necessary to successfully write your own research project in third year, and go on to build your information-gathering skills in your future career.

Coastal Zone Management The coastal zone is a dynamic physical system and a great example of a managed environment. Integrated Coastal Zone Management is used to explore impacts of human activities and natural processes.

Global Environmental Change 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.

Geohazards Earthquakes and landslides 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 or manage them.

Field Investigation Take part in a detailed field investigation of current themes in human and physical geography within a distinctive regional setting. Plan and research mini-projects during a residential field trip. Currently, the study area is Merseyside UK.

Culture, Place and Belonging Geographies Discuss new socio-spatial discourses around nation, race, class, region and gender, emphasising the distinctively spatial contribution cultural geographers make to these multi-disciplinary issues.

Sustainable Communities 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 Field work is a requirement for development profess-ionals. Gain valuable experience in a developing country for one month with the support of our partner agency. Destination examples: Peru, Sri Lanka, Togo, Nepal, Mexico and Ethiopia.

Criminology and Criminal Justice Explore concepts and methods of researching the social and spatial dimensions of the crime debate. In what ways do culture and the media inform our understanding of crime? To what extent is the process of criminal justice influenced by politics?

Project Management Learn the fundamentals of project management and thereby acquire valuable vocational skills and experience. You are trained to evaluate and co-ordinate projects to ensure that outcomes are delivered.

Third Year

Dissertation (core) This is the culmination of your BSc degree. Demonstrate you can apply the knowledge and skills you have gained in an original project. A wide range of subjects, assisted by the breadth of staff expertise, specialist literature and technical resources.

Climatology Trace the many processes constituting the climate system, how they affect each other and how the climate is monitored through the use of remote sensing. Learn how to analyse and communicate climate information.

Quaternary Environments The Quaternary is the last two million years of Earth history. Collect field evidence and reconstruct sequences of climatic and sea level change from this era. The fieldwork and analysis broadly simulates professional practice.

River Management Chart the formation of river channels and their floodplains, landforms and sediments. Investigate professional challenges such as channel management, flood risks, new techniques in catchment modelling, river restoration and ‘hydropolitics’.

International Field Work In an overseas setting, gain a geographical sense of ‘place’ by designing and delivering a team project on a theme such as urban, historical, tourism, coastal, environmental or applied geography. Currently the destination is Barcelona, Spain.

Tourism: Contemporary Issues Explore new meanings and forms of tourism in contemporary societies. Study ideas like post-modernity, globalisation, ‘post-tourists’, ‘imagined places’ ‘hyper-reality’ and the emerging role of virtual and internet tourism.

Radicals and Discontents An encounter with radical and politically engaged forms of geography, encouraging reappraisal of taken-for-granted understandings. Evaluate alternative standpoints on social, spatial and representational processes.

Historical Geographies People in the past represented space and created places to transmit ideas to future generations. Explore how these efforts have been encoded in historic maps and ancient landscapes, and how this heritage is continually re-interpreted as society evolves.

The Geomatics Industry The fast-changing geomatics industry is the focus of learning. Gain practical experience of the latest digital data capture and analysis methods and insights into emerging trends, such as web based mapping.

Community Engagement You will demonstrate an understanding of social action and learning through undertaking appropriate voluntary work. Support is available to help you find a volunteer place. You must undertake or have completed some recognised basic training in your chosen field.

Globalisations: Crises and Opportunities Globalisation has become part of everyday experience: markets, ideas, media and populations now move more freely over boundaries. This module looks at social responses to globalization issues, e.g. should we recycle, fly, or buy fair trade? what is sustainability? what will be the consequences of carbon trading?

Please note that modules may be replaced or altered from year to year in response to, for instance, changes to staffing and expertise, technical standards, national or university policy or student demand.

Some additional modules from other subjects are available as options where relevant and appropriate. See your degree award details.

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