CRSI 
Human Geography Unit Descriptions
100
level | 200 level | 300
level | 800
level | Summary of units
GEOS111
Geographies
of Global
Change
- 3 credit
points
(Dr Dowling)
This is
an introductory
unit in
human geography,
which explores
local impacts
of global
change from
three perspectives,
the socio-cultural,
the political
and the
economic.
It seeks
reasons
for differences
between
places and
groups of
people in
the impacts
of globalisation.
Global-local
interactions
are examined
with specific
reference
to: population
change and
migration;
urbanisation
and the
emergence
of 'global'
cities;
local cultural
identity
in the context
of global
change;
changing
geopolitics
of the post-Cold
War era;
and the
implications
of global
economic
change with
special
reference
to the Asia-Pacific
region.
GEOS118
Foundation
for Resource
and Environmental
Management
-
3 credit
points (formerly
GEOS114)
(Professor Howitt, Dr Taylor)
Your future, your lifestyle, your income and the welfare of everyone around you depends on the environment. Studying GEOS118 will help you understand your environment from social and scientific viewpoints. We use current, real-world examples to encourage you to think critically about resource management issues in Australia and globally. If you care about the environment and the world's future, GEOS118 is designed for you.
200 Level
GEOS215 Geographies of Development - 3 credit points(Dr Sherval, Dr Lloyd)
GEOS 215 approaches the geographies of development from a wide-ranging perspective. It provides multiple perspectives on the geographies of development, ranging from the social, cultural, economic and environmental. Furthermore, these issues are considered at a variety of geographical scales, ranging from the global to the local. While development issues are examined in different countries, the unit has a particular focus on the Asia-Pacific region.
GEOS219 Geographical Perspectives on Population - 3 credit points
(Associate Professor McCracken)
This unit provides an introduction to geographical perspectives on population issues and research, focusing on the Asia-Pacific region. Topics studied include historical and contemporary fertility and mortality patterns, migration, urbanisation, ageing, indigenous populations, population-physical environment interactions, and the politics of population.
GEOS262
Australians
and their
Environment
- 3 credit
points
(Dr
Sherval)
This
is a general
education
unit.
Geographical
perspectives
on the Australian
environment
and human
reactions
to it and
interactions
with it.
A number
of major
themes will
be examined:
the physical
environment
as resource
and as limiting
factors;
use and
abuse of
the Australian
environment,
concentrating
on the roles
of pastoralism,
agriculture
and mining;
Australia's
distinctive
urban system
and its
environmental
context;
and perceptions
of and attitudes
towards
the Australian
environment.
Contemporary
controversies
concerning
human-environment
issues will
be treated
in context.
GEOS264 Geographic Information Systems - 3 credit points
(Associate Professor Poulsen, Ms Jacobson)
This unit
introduces students from a
wide range of disciplines to Geographic
Information Science. Today most organisations
use a GIS (Geographic Information
System) to capture, store,
manipulate and display spatially
referenced (mapped) information.
The GIS program focuses on developing
a knowledge of GIS and the use of
two major GIS software packages,
IMAGINE and ARCVIEW. Lectures cover
the data models used in GIS and the
application of GIS to environmental,
resource and facilities management
and decision making. The practical
program is divided into modules,
including data capture by processing
remotely sensed data for an environmental
application, and the manipulation
and analysis of multiple layers of
geographic objects to derive new
information. Possible applications
projects include establishing areas
for urban development (planning),
evaluating the impact of relevant
land uses within an environmental
zone (environment), selecting
a site for a quarry (geology) and
the modelling of bush fire risk (natural
hazards). Students with a developed
computing background will be given
an option in the assessment procedure
to design and write software for
a component of a Geographic Information
System.
GEOS267
Resource
and Envitonmental
Management:
Issues
and Solutions
-
3 credit
points (formerly
GEOS265)
(Dr Sherval,
Dr Taylor)
A broad introduction to
the concepts, techniques and
issues in Resource and Environmental
Management, drawing largely on Australian
examples but addressing processes
at a range of geographical scales.
The first part of the unit examines
the nature of resources; changing
perceptions and philosophies of
resource use, management and planning;
and the sustainability of resource
uses in relation to underlying biophysical
and cultural possibilities
and constraints. A second major
part of the unit introduces some
biophysical, economic and social
techniques for management. The third
part examines resource and environmental
management decision-making and conflict
resolution in several specific settings.
The final section deals with the
role of governments and looks to
the future.
GEOS281 Managing
our Cities -
3 credit points (formerly
GEOS280)
(Dr Dowling)
A sustainable future depends upon the successful management of urban issues like transport, employment, health and quality of life. GEOS281 offers: an introduction to the main challenges facing those who manage cities; concepts to understand cities; and techniques used in the management of cities. This is a core unit for those thinking of seeking employment in urban and regional management. It develops your ability to critically examine the social, cultural, economic and political processes that underpin contemporary cities using real-world examples. Assessment tasks are designed to develop your ability to analyse and write about cities.
300 Level
GEOS311 Asia Pacific Development - 4 credit points
(Dr
Lloyd, Dr McKinnon)
The Asia-Pacific region is undergoing rapid and substantial change. As Australia's immediate neighbour it is important to understand how this regional change is reflected - socially, spatially and politically. GEOS311 will help you understand the changing constructions of the region, the type of development taking place and the implications this has for countries, peoples and environments.
GEOS321 Resource
Management -
4credit
points
(formerly
GEOS310)
(Dr
Suchet-Pearson)
This
unit
challenges
students
seeking
careers
in resource
management
to examine
the
social,
political,
economic
and
cultural
consequences
of resource
management
decisions.
Using
local,
international
and
global
case
studies,
many
drawing
on the
experiences
of indigenous
peoples,
this
unit
offers
students
new
ways
of seeing
resource
management
systems,
new
ways
of thinking
about
the
geopolitics
of resources,
and
a range
of practical
skills
and
applied
examples.
It requires
students
to engage
ethical
and
practical
questions
and
deals
with
Social
Impact
Assessment,
institutional
decision-making
and
social
theory
relevant
to resource
management.
Students
have
opportunities
in this
unit
to pursue,
in-depth,
specific
interests
in particular
resource
conflicts.
GEOS322 Population,
Health and the Environment -
4 credit points (formerly
GEOS319)
(Mr Siciliano)
This unit explores the relationships between population, human health and the environment. Taking an ecological approach it investigates the impacts of the biophysical and human environments on health and the resulting geographies of infectious and degenerative disease in both developed and developing societies. The unit is taught in a manner to enable students to develop basic research skills relevant to health analysis and planning.
GEOS324 Economy, Place and Culture - 4 credit points
(Dr Houston and Dr
McKinnon)
Lectures will be held
on Wednesdays 4.00pm to 6.00pm. W6B
351
Tutorials will be available
on Wednesdays 1-2 and 3-4
Tutorial Room allocations Class
01-C3B 306, Class 02-C5A 404
Geographical explorations
of the interplay between
culture and economy, focusing
on globalisation and its
impact on people in local
situations. Frameworks
for thinking about cultural
and economic aspects of
globalisation, place and
human identity are contrasted
and developed. Topics include
case studies of: food production
and consumption; forms
of popular culture such
as music; the changing
nature of work; the rise
of the so-called new middle
class in industrialised
countries; and contrasting
meanings given to industrial
change by corporations
and local communities.
GEOS326 Urban
Management:
Issues
and Solutions (formerly
GEOS361)
( Associate Professor Poulsen)
GEOS326 redefines your understanding and skills in the management of cities. In it you will investigate a selection of key issues in urban management like transport, heritage, sustainable neighbourhoods, tourism, employment generation, community planning and health. Integrated into the program are a range of professional literacy, numeracy and teamwork skills, which together with an understanding of the issues are designed to enhance employability within the broad field of urban management.
GEOS347
Research
Applications
in Human
Geography
- 4 credit
points
(Dr Lloyd)
Drawing on field-based research this unit develops students' practical, analytical and interpretative skills in ways directly relevant to employment as a professional geographer. Students are guided through research processes including problem formulation, research design, data collection, selection and use of appropriate analytical, interpretative and conceptual tools and production of oral and written reports presenting research findings and evaluating their research process. The unit addresses quantitative and qualitative methods, team-building skills, specific aspects of research practice such as professional ethics, and relevant areas of social science theory in applied contexts. This unit allows students to draw on previous work in human geography to strengthen their portfolio of demonstrated skills relevant to the wide range of employment destinations available to human geographers.
GEOS378 GIS for Urban and Regional Management - 4 credit points
( Associate Professor Poulsen)
Many organizations involved in urban
and regional management use GIS software
for their data storage, mapping, and
the provision of information to support
decision making. Having completed the
unit GEOS264 Geographic Information Systems
you have acquired the skills to drive
ArcGIS and undertake these tasks. However,
you have not undertaken a GIS unit that
is specifically organised around the
application of GIS in this important
field. To achieve this, this unit starts
by focusing in on housing, then expands
out to focus on other land use developments,
transportation, spatial and statistical
analyses, and finally presentation. The
teaching pedagogy followed is to begin
with the notion that we all members of
a research team undertaking a set of
linked projects. Then through lectures
and practicals we work together to undertake
those projects, produce results and compare
those results with the outcomes of planning
practice Through this process this unit
provides a set of GIS skills applicable
to a wide range of organizations involved
in urban and regional management.
GEOS387 Special Interest Seminar - 2 credit points
(Department staff)
A choice of seminars may be
offered, each specialising
in a particular area of interest.
The areas are based upon patterns
of staff and/or student interest.
Intended seminar offers, if
any, will be advertised within
the Department of Human Geography,
and offers will be formalised
during the enrolment period.
Human Geography offers three
special interest seminars in 2008.
GEOS387 (E1) Heritage Management
with Dr Graeme Aplin will run
in conjunction wth HGEO808 which
is timeabled on Monday evenings
6-9pm in C4A 325.
GEOS387 (X1) SOcial Impact Assessment
with Richie Howitt will run in
conjunction with HGEO802 and has
an on-campus session on March
15. Lectures will be posted weekly
on the website by 10am Thursday.
GEOS387 (X2) Corporate Social
Responsibility with Richie Howitt
has an on-campus session scheduled
for 16 August and an off-campus
fieldtrip (yet to be scheduled).
800 Level
HGEO802 Social Impact Assessment and Cross Cultural Negotiation - 4 credit points
(Associate Professor Howitt)
Social Impact Assessment as a key tool in managing development in multicultural environments where stakeholders have different views of the world. Using case studies of native title, resource projects and major infrastructure developments, this unit develops conceptual, methodological and practical skills relevant to government, community and private sectors. Students will examine several major social impact studies and native title negotiations.
HGEO803 Cultural Issues in Wildlife Resource Management - external only - 4 credit points
(Dr Sherval)
This unit develops conceptual tools to address cross-cultural relationships in wildlife management systems. Using Australian and international examples, it explores different ways of seeing and thinking about key concepts, including 'wildlife', 'resource' and 'management' and requires students to develop a critical self-awareness of the cultural context of wildlife management.
HGEO804 Asia-Pacific Economies - 4 credit points
(2009)
Examining the nature of change in Asia-Pacific economies, this unit considers the inter-relationships between forces operating at global to local geographical scales. It also analyses the impact of global forces in changing industrial structures in different countries while simultaneously localities are engaging with global forces in different ways.
HGEO805 Human Geography Research Project
This unit offers students the opportunity to design and implement a human geography research project under academic supervision. Students will need to have achieved a Credit average in their coursework units to qualify for admission to this unit. Suitable research topics will be determined in consultation with academic staff.
HGEO806 Thinking Geographically - 4 credit points
(Dr Dowling)
A unit exploring contemporary theories in human geography. It relates conceptual frameworks in human geography to changes in social theory and environmental studies. It explores how and why theoretical frameworks become subjects for intense debate. Designed for students with an interest in geographical theory and those undertaking research.
HGEO806 and HGEO807 - these units will run in the same timeslot on alternate Thursdays (ie Thursday 2-4pm). The two units will be co-convened in week one for an overview and orientation. Room E7A829
HGEO807 Research Methods in Human Geography - 4 credit points
(Professor Howitt, Dr Houston)
A unit exploring methods used by human geographers adopting a social science orientation in their research. The unit presents an overview of planning a research project, explores ethical issues in research and considers a range of methodologies available (qualitative and quantitative) including data analysis, interpretation and presentation.
HGEO808 Heritage and its Management - 4 credit points
(Dr Aplin)
This unit deals with the identification, conservation and sustainable management of both cultural and natural heritage sites. Sections deal with individual and national differences in perceptions of, and approaches to, heritage research and documentation of heritage and management of both sites and visitors. Emphasis throughout will be on World Heritage sites and processes.
HGEO809 Globalisation
and Sustainable Development - 4 credit points
(Professor Fagan)
A critical examination of the concept of globalisation from economic, socio-cultural, political and environmental perspectives. Particular attention will be paid to local responses in the fields of economic, social and environmental planning; and community responses to globalisation. Implications of globalisation for social and environmental sustainability at the local scale.
GEOS801 Introduction
to GIS for postgraduates - external
only - 4 credit points
(Associate Professor Poulsen)
This unit covers the underlying concepts of Geographic Information Systems, applications, the use of commercial software and will develop for students a GIS skills set. Coursework firstly introduces the nature of GIS, followed by two streams with one focussing on applications in the biophysical environment and the other on applications in the human and built environment. (Students must have access to a computer with Windows XP or Windows 2000).
HLTH801 Ageing and Health: Social and Medical Geographic Perspectives - 4 credit points
( Associate Professor McCracken, Mr
Siciliano)
This unit examines the historic and geographical trends in ageing and considers ageing as a public health issue. As well as highighting the differential experience of ageing over time and space, it considers issues such as: ageing, health and the environment (built, work and natural), injury and chronic illness amongst the aged, needs assessment for disabled aged, the migrant aged and health, refugees and health, retirement, culture and general aspects of ageing.
GSE831 International
Agreements and the Environment
- 4 credit points
(2009)
A conceptual and historical introduction to international agreements, policy and law relating to the environment. Included will be instruments in areas of climate and atmosphere, oceans and seas, biodiversity, flora and fauna and dangerous waste materials. The impact on the environment of global institutions such as the World Trade Organisation, the World Bank, the International Monetary Fund and the Global Environment Facility will also be considered.