Department of Geography

BA single honours degree in Human Geography (L700)

Geographers study a range of social issues and problems in which space and location are key elements. These range from the global (eg the globalisation of the economy) to the local (eg individual spatial decision-making) and span both the Environmental and Social Sciences.

The BA course at Sheffield aims to provide you with a broad understanding of the study of geography and of the work of geographers, to demonstrate how geographical concepts and skills can be used in suggesting possible solutions for real-world problems, and in the evaluation of solutions and policies proposed by others. The course is extremely flexible and allows you to take a broad programme which spans the range of Human Geography or to specialise in the parts of the subject which most interests you. The modular degree programme gives you the option of undertaking Physical Geography courses and/or a range of courses outside the discipline if you so wish. The courses also include an integrated and coherent skills element, allowing you to develop the wide range of transferable skills for which Geography graduates are particularly valued by employers.

Course Structure

The course has been designed to provide an initial thorough grounding in Human Geography. Students can choose to specialise entirely within Human or broaden their studies to include the some Physical Geography. There is also the opportunity to take modules from outside Geography during all three years of study. All modules draw on the expertise and extensive resources of the Department. Students are advised throughout by personal and academic tutors.

In the first year of study just under half the course is made up of compulsory modules in Human Geography which include global economic systems and interpretations of social and natural environments. Additionally compulsory skills training cover study skills, data collection, analysis techniques, and training in the use of IT with geographical data.

From year two onwards (Levels 2/3) modules are designed to develop and expand the framework of knowledge and as the course advances to build upon it with more specialised knowledge of particular aspects of the discipline. In the second year of study there are core modules designed to give a grounding in key principles and concepts within Human Geography. These include modules on Economic, Social, Political and Cultural Geographies, as well as Development Geography. There are also compulsory skills modules, which develop students' ability to undertake independent research, which forms part of the core of the third year of the degree.

The remaining modules can be chosen from a wide range of specialist Human Geography options, from the compulsory or specialist option modules in Physical geography, or from modules elsewhere in the University. The current list of Geography options is shown in the course details and includes courses in subfields within the discipline, the study of particular environments and regions, and new geographical skills such as GIS and Remote Sensing.

In the final year of study, half of the programme consists of two large pieces of independent study, one based on field data collection, and one based on reading. Of the remaining three modules, one may be chosen from outside Geography and the remainder are chosen from a wide range of options within Geography, including field trips, which are listed in the course details.

Course Details

General
The University of Sheffield has adopted a fully modular degree structure for almost all of its degree courses. The BA course thus consists of a series of 10 and 20 credit modules and in each year 120 credits are be taken. For each year of study there are a number of compulsory core units, but also optional modules that may be taken from the Geography Department or from other departments. The teaching year is organised into two semesters of fifteen weeks each. In most cases units will be taught and examined within a single semester.

Level One
All students take the following core modules:

There are an additional 60 credits of optional modules which can be taken within Geography (including Physical Geography) or taken from other departments.

Level Two
All students take the following core modules:

There are an additional 40 credits of optional modules which can be taken within Geography (including Physical Geography) or taken from other departments.

Level Three
All students take the following modules. The fieldwork for the Geographical Research Project is normally carried out in the summer vacation between Level Two and Level Three.

In addition student must choose a minimum of 40 credits from Geography option modules and a maximum of 20 credits can optionally be taken from outside Geography. Geography options include field trips to Athens, Kenya and New York.

Teaching Methods

The techniques employed for formal teaching vary between modules but include lectures, seminars, small-group classes and project work. Additionally tutorial systems operate so that students can discuss scientific issues and prepare and present written work.

Examination Methods

These include essay based unseen examinations, multiple choice question papers to coursework, projects and oral presentation.