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Handbook 1997 : Faculty of Arts : Geography
Geography is an area of study which should be of interest to anyone who is concerned with the relationship between society and the environment. It is a discipline which combines both the physical and social sciences and by doing so provides students with the skills and conceptual frameworks needed to understand the complex processes which shape the world around us. It deals with a wide range of problems, scales and places. It covers a range of approaches to society and environment including natural systems, politics economy, and cultural politics. Geography is a discipline which seeks to contribute to creating just societies and sustainable environments.
Geography is for people who are interested in exploring some of the following questions: Have we mismanaged the Australian landscape? Why is stream flow more variable in Australia than elsewhere? How do plants adapt to flood, drought and fire? Are famines made by drought or by people? Are we responsible for the have-nots of the world? Who has the power to make the urban landscape and why? How are women and migrants exploited in urban social spaces? What is cultural heritage and whose interests does it serve? Can Aboriginal land rights be resolved? Can developmental and environmental concerns co-exist?
In addition to the major in Geography, the Department of Geography and Environmental Studies offers a major in Environmental Studies and a Specialist Program in Environmental Studies. For further information see the entries in this Handbook titled 'Environmental Studies' and 'Specialist Programs in Environmental Studies'. The Department of Geography and Environmental Studies also offers pathways for students who wish to gain privileged entry into either a Master of Urban Planning or Master of Landscape Architecture: see the entry in this Handbook under 'Planning and Design'.
Geography graduates find employment in many areas, some related to the discipline, others not. Graduates have found employment as officers in many government departments (Conservation and Environment, Planning, Housing, Transport, Melbourne Water, AIDAB). They also work as officers in private environmental and exploration firms. Others are entrepreneurs in their own companies, or consultancies, (ex-staff and students of the Department sell information systems to the US and British censuses). Graduates also work as journalists, teachers and lecturers.
Graduates of the BA gain enhanced social awareness and sophisticated interpersonal skills which fit them to join the workforce as potential managers and leaders. Graduates are able to transfer the skills they acquire across many sectors including government, education, and commerce and industry.
Applicants wishing to major in geography as part of a Bachelor of Arts must meet the admissions requirements of the Faculty of Arts.
The normal prerequisite for a second or third year Geography subject is 25 points of Geography at first year level.
In order to satisfy the requirements for a major in Geography, a student must complete a minimum of five 16.7 point 2nd or 3rd year subjects (83.3 points).
Course structure
The major in Geography provides wide scope for students to choose subjects in which they are interested. Here are some suggested combinations of subjects (these are examples; they are not prescriptive):
Example courses
1. For students wishing to specialise in physical geography At least four of: 121-212 Geomorphology 16.7 2nd and 3rd year 121-213 Plants, People and Changing Environments 16.7 2nd and 3rd year 121-220 Water Resources 16.7 2nd and 3rd year 121-340 Principles of Ecological Biogeography 16.7 3rd year 121-341 Techniques in Ecological Biogeography 16.7 3rd year 121-349 Principles of Environmental Hydrology 16.7 3rd year 121-350 Techniques in Environmental Hydrology 16.7 3rd year 2. For students wishing to specialise in human geography At least four of: 121-204 Development and the Third World 16.7 2nd and 3rd year 121-207 Landscapes of Power: New Cultural Geographies 16.7 2nd and 3rd year 121-208 Society and Environments 16.7 2nd and 3rd year 121-214 Urban Geography: the Post-Modern City 16.7 2nd and 3rd year 121-218 Australia and the Pacific Rim in a Global Economy 16.7 2nd and 3rd year 121-203 Sustainable Development 121-336 The Emergence of East Asia
Students may also wish to complete a double major in Geography by completing ten subjects from those listed above. Of these ten subjects, at least eight must come from the first list of subjects above and no more than two may be derived from the supplementary list of subjects above.
Students must have satisfied the requirements of the pass degree and completed a major in Geography including the pre-requisite subject 121-342 Research Methods in Geography, or an approved equivalent subject from another department, and achieved a minimum threshold average grade of H2B based on the five subjects which comprise the major in Geography.
Pure Honours students are required to complete Geography Honours Thesis 121-400 (50 points), Literature Review 121-408 (16.7 points), Philosophy and Scope of Geography 121-409 (16.7 points), and one of the following:
121-402 Advanced Coursework in Biogeography
121-403 Advanced Coursework in Economic Geography
121-404 Advanced Coursework in Geomorphology
121-405 Advanced Coursework in Social and Cultural Geography
Part-time Honours students will complete Literature Review 121-408, Philosophy and Scope of Geography 121-409 and one of the Advanced Coursework subjects in the first year; and Geography Honours Thesis 121-400 in the second year of their part-time Honours course.
Combined Honours students are expected to complete Geography Honours Thesis 121-400 and Literature Review 121-408 (totalling 66.7); or Philosophy and Scope of Geography 121-409 and one of the Advanced Coursework subjects (totalling 33.3 points) if completing the thesis in the combining department.
Geography graduates are well-placed to upgrade and increase their professional skills by undertaking further professionally-related graduate diplomas, or through further research work leading to a higher degree.
The Department of Geography and Environmental Studies offers an M. A. (Research) and an M. A. (Coursework and Minor Thesis) in Geography, to students who have completed a B. A. (Sons) in Geography with an average final grade of H2A or above. The department also offers an M. A. Preliminary program in Geography. The department offers supervision on a wide range of topics within human and physical geography to students undertaking a PhD in geography.
The Department also offers a Postgraduate Diploma in Arts (Geography) and a Master of Arts (Geography) by coursework only. A Graduate Diploma in Arts (Geography) is offered for graduates of other disciplines. The Graduate and Postgraduate Diplomas can serve as an entry point to further higher levels postgraduate study in the discipline.
Geography graduates may also proceed on to professional postgraduate qualifications in Urban Planning or Landscape Architecture. The Department of Geography and Environmental Studies offers pathways for students who wish to gain privileged entry into either a Master of Urban Planning or Master of Landscape Architecture. For further details see the entry in this Handbook under Planning and Design.
Geography graduates may in many cases qualify for admission to one of the department's postgraduate Environmental Studies programs. Geography graduates and current students are encouraged to contact staff of the department for information and advice on the range of postgraduate programs offered by the department, and how these programs can suit their professional and research interests.
For Further Information please contact:
The Department of Geography and Environmental Studies
The University of Melbourne
Telephone: (03) 9344-6339
WWW: http://www.arts.unimelb.edu.au/Dept/Geography/GeogHome.html
1. Students who intend to complete honours in Geography must take this unit.
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Handbook 1997 : Faculty of Arts : Geography
Status: OFFICIAL 1997 Last Modified: Wednesday March 12 3:36 pm SGML to HTML Conversion: Information Technology Services Authorised by: Academic Registrar Email Enquiries: Course_Information@registrar.unimelb.edu.au
Copyright © University of Melbourne 1997.