Geography - BA (Hons)

Durham University

Explore the relationship between people and the planet. This flexible course will enhance your understanding of the challenges facing society and the world around you, while you acquire the knowledge and skills for a broad range of career options.,Looking to tackle real-world challenges, from climate change to conflict and social inequalities? Studying this research-led degree in human geography will help you develop the necessary skills and experience you’ll need for a broad range of employment opportunities. Our flexible study programme at one of the world’s leading centres for geographical research puts you in control. You can also apply to add a placement year or a year abroad to your degree, increasing the course from three years to four. There is no such thing as a typical Geography career but if you want to make sure that you are highly employable with a variety of transferable skills, that prepare you for the global challenges of the 21st century, then Geography is a great choice.The Geography BA course begins with a broad foundation, during which you are introduced to both human and physical geography. In the second and third years, our modules lead progressively to increasing specialised content focused on the cutting-edge of human geography research. There is also the opportunity to study integrated modules that span the human/physical geography interface. In the final year, you will undertake your own geographical research project.Course structureYear 1 modulesCore modules:Human Geography: Space and Place in a Changing World introduces the core concepts of human geography along with the approaches used to understand these concepts in response to specific societal challenges. A variety of case studies is used to illustrate the content.Introduction to Geographical Research covers a variety of methods for research and analysis used in human geography and how to select the appropriate methods for a range of geographical contexts.Physical Geography coversa broad range of interlinking themes in physical geography, using scale, from global to local, as the organising framework.Optional modules:In recent years, optional modules have included: Planet Under PressureGeographies of CrisisIntroduction to Climate Change.Year 2 modulesCore modules:Social Research in Geography provides the skills needed for good research design, interpretation, presentation and evaluation of research findings. You will acquire practical experience through residential fieldwork in the UK.Theory and Concepts in Contemporary Human Geography gives an introduction to the key schools of thought in human geography and highlights the role of these theoretical developments in the contemporary social science debate.Optional modules:In recent years, optional modules have included: Climate Change: Geographical PerspectivesEconomic GeographyGeographies of DevelopmentPolitical GeographySocial and Cultural GeographyUrban Geography.Year 3 modulesCore modules:Dissertation The Dissertation is a substantial piece of independent geographical research. It develops your ability to plan and manage your own learning and provides you with an opportunity to research a specific topic in greater depth and present your findings and conclusions.