Geography BA (Hons)

This module aims to give you a broad introduction to contemporary social and cultural geographies. You will learn about both the traditions of social geographical enquiry and more recent theoretical developments, including the ‘cultural turn’ in human geography. You will explore notions of identity, social and cultural difference, inequality, power and resistance and you will discover how geographies and identities are constructed. You will engage with academic research and case studies from different parts of the world, and at different geographical scales. Through these you will learn about different theoretical perspectives which explain contemporary geographies of social and cultural change. The module will explore some of the Sustainable Development Goals including poverty, gender equality, peace & justice and reducing inequality through the lens of social and cultural geography. 

Compulsory

This module examines the historical and contemporary processes posing as drivers or barriers to social and economic development within the Global South. You will be introduced to various conceptual frameworks, theories and models for defining and measuring development and are supported in developing your own critical approach to examining these within the context of the Global South. The module highlights challenges and wider external implications and influences faced by countries within the Global South striving to accelerate the social and economic progress in their country.

Compulsory

Climate change is viewed by many as the most pressing issue facing the world today. In this module you will learn about the science and impacts of climate change, as well as strategies to mitigate or adapt to the problem, thus enabling you to develop your own critical opinion of the subject. We will explore the structure of the atmosphere in terms of natural and enhanced greenhouse states and discuss natural and anthropogenic causes of climate change. You will discover the effects that a changing climate has on global societies and on earth systems, such as the biosphere. We will also discuss what can be done about the problem by reviewing mitigation and adaptation strategies and examining the effectiveness of national and international climate change policies. 

Compulsory

The aim of this module is to introduce you to the relationship between the built environment and the dynamics of communities. It will engage you to think critically about place, space and community from a historical, ethical, economical and design perspective. The module will explore the processes of physical developments in settlements of various sizes, with a particular focus on urbanisation and urban development nationally and internationally. The module aims to familiarise you with the most influential theories of urban design in relation to architecture, geography, and sociology and develops your ability to conceptualise, practice and critically evaluate the design of urban sites for sustainable and resilient communities. 

Compulsory

The aim of this module is to further develop your research methods and skills for geography, energy and disaster management students, specifically focussing on the skills and understanding necessary to undertake a final year research project. The module is designed to challenge you to think critically, independently and work as part of a team. You will develop key research and practical fieldwork skills necessary for collecting and analysing quantitative and qualitative data. We will explain the components of a good project and provide opportunities to practise the required skills. In addition, the residential field trip 2 will provide further opportunities to gain experience of research and fieldwork methods and techniques. The module will support you in making an informed decision about the proposed topic of their final year project.

Compulsory

In this module you will undertake a critical analysis of a specified location and an associated project that has been influenced by the United Nation's (UN) Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Your analysis of the project will explore the impact, success or failure alongside possible solutions that will be fundamental to the positive future development of the location.   

You will research, appraise, critique, develop and then communicate to a wider audience the impact and implementation of the identified SDG’s for the location/ project. The focus of the review will be linked to your academic discipline within the Built and Natural Environment and draw upon prior learning from your previous cognate knowledge. 

Compulsory

This module² provides you with an opportunity to reflect upon and gain experience for an approved placement undertaken during your programme. A placement should usually be at least 26 weeks or equivalent; however, each placement will be considered on its own merits, having regard to the ability to achieve the learning outcomes.

Optional

This module² provides you with an opportunity to reflect upon and gain experience for an approved international study/work placement undertaken during your programme. A work/study placement should usually be at least 26 weeks or equivalent; however, each placement will be considered on its own merits, having regard to the ability to achieve the learning outcomes.

Optional

This module aims to provide critical insight into the geographies of marginalised social groups by examining processes and implications of social and spatial exclusion. It will focus on historical and contemporary case studies to understand issues faced by some marginalised groups who are excluded from social life. It will examine processes of change over time and place, and its effects on the relevant groups. It will critically engage with different theories of power and examine ways in which groups may challenge existing power relations.

Compulsory

This module aims to provide you with an understanding of the geographies of consumption from both a political-economic and socio-cultural economic perspective. This is achieved through approaching consumption via the themes of consumption connections (commodity chains and commodity fetishism), consumption spaces (such as shopping centres, luxury retail, themed and experiential retailing and geographic branding) and productions spaces (factories and the standardisation of production) and sustainable consumption. These themes will be explored through case study commodities including fashion and food. Collectively the module seeks to encourage you to use consumption as a lens through which to explore wider geographies of globalisation and inequality (via considerations of an increasingly global economy with ever distant connections between producers and consumers) and sustainability (via considerations of the issues of increased consumption and sustainable and ethical alternatives). You will also conduct your own research into the origins of consumer goods as part of a local city centre field trip ² in Coventry.

Compulsory

The aim of this module is to enable you to develop your research skills by conducting primary or secondary research focused on a specific problem of relevance to their discipline. You should use different methods and research skills, gained over previous years of study, to effectively communicate research novelties and ideas to the academic and non-academic communities. It will contribute to the research training aim appropriate to your level of study and requires you to demonstrate an understanding of the principles of research and to show an appropriate level of competence in the design, execution, and reporting of a research project. It will enable you to understand the importance of correct and critical analysis of all the factors involved in a problem and develop your initiative as you pursue and execute the investigation, demonstrating originality and creativity.

Compulsory

This module aims to introduce you to critical thought and methods as applied in an overseas field location.2 The module will extend your fieldwork skills and your grasp of contemporary methodologies and techniques. Emphasis in the classroom, and the field, is placed on experiential learning whilst also ensuring the continuation of transferable field and academic skills development. Experiences and skills that will be developed include undertaking research in the field; making observations, collecting and collating data; critically debating previous research, taking responsibility for one’s own learning though individual- and teamwork and formulating hazard and risk assessments for fieldwork.

Compulsory

Sex, Drugs and Rock & Roll – 20 credits

This module aims to provide critical insight into feminist geographies, geographies of the sex retail industry and geographies of music. The module explores feminism, post-feminism and feminist geographies and considers key theorisations of gender: including biological essentialism, social constructivism and performativity. The changing geographies of the sex retail industry are explored including its regulation and branding, constructions of masculinity, femininity and idealised bodies, and how this relates to post-feminism. The module also critically explores the geographies of music and the relationship between music, identity and place, focusing on case studies from popular music culture and alternative night-time economies.

Humans and Hazards – 20 credits

This module will explore the anthropological causes and implications of natural and environmental hazards globally. While natural phenomena are at the root cause of natural hazard events, the strength, intensity and frequency of hazard events are often attributable to acts of human commission or omission. Research indicates that the impact of natural hazards on individuals, communities and nations varies significantly as a result of their geographical location and social markers including, social class, sexuality, gender, age and ethnicity. The module examines what can be done to increase the resilience of marginalised and vulnerable communities and to critically underpin the role of professionals and communities within this process.

Optional

Biodiversity and Conservation – 20 credits

The conservation of biological diversity (biodiversity) is concerned with the maintenance in perpetuity of genes, species and ecosystems and the sustainable management of biotic communities on a local, regional and global scale 

This module aims to introduce you to the key elements of conservation theory, highlighting some of the factors resulting in habitat and species loss and outlining different conservation approaches which are effective at these levels. It will discuss the emerging global threats associated with biodiversity, conservation and development. This is complemented by case study material, which provides you with an insight into the practical application of conservation theory by drawing on examples of conservation programmes and projects from both the UK and overseas. 

Four Horsemen: War, Pestilence, Famine, Death – 20 credits

The aim of this module is to critically examine contemporary and historical issues relating to the implementation of peace and security measures within conflict zones globally.  This module will examine contested debates and strategies already in circulation around the root causes of conflict and its impact on displacement, food insecurity, and disease. Moreover, it will re-familiarise you on theories of development covered in Development, Culture and Change and use some theoretical concepts to explore global challenges around food security, famine, drought, disease and public health within the Global South. 

Optional