Human Geography and Planning major
Human Geography and Planning are the essential disciplines for understanding the complexities of cities and regions and guiding their sustainable development. The course explores the complex interplay of environmental, economic, social, and political processes shaping human activities at a range of scales from global to local. To flourish, human and urban development must grapple with ecological sustainability, cultural diversity, changing demographic pressures, disasters and global markets. The conceptual foundations of Human Geography and Planning along with applied fieldwork based on real-world problems enable students to develop highly-valued skills by drawing on and integrating knowledge from the related disciplines of geographical science, economics, architecture, sociology and environmental science. Students develop the relevant knowledge and skills to help resolve major urban and regional problems and ultimately have the ability to contribute to the creation of liveable communities, vibrant economies and sustainable places. It is envisaged that there will be up to three overnight field trips (with a cost of up to $500 per student, to cover the cost of food and accommodation for around 10 nights). Studying this major provides you with the foundation to pursue further study leading to full recognition as a professional planner through the Masters of Urban and Regional Planning or to the Masters of International Development. Planners and geographers see the world throughout their careers because this major prepares graduates for a versatile and stimulating job opportunities across Australia and internationally.
Outcomes
Students are able to (1) understand the complex interplay of environmental, economic, social and political processes that influence the spatial organisation of human activities at a range of scales, from global to local; (2) demonstrate an understanding of geography as an academic discipline, including awareness of its concepts, history and principal sub-fields, while acknowledging the contested, provisional and situated nature of geographical understanding; (3) appreciate the role of planning in shaping the economic, social and ecological characteristics of cities and regions; (4) understand the geographic and planning methods, policies and approaches used to address urban and regional challenges; (5) conduct quantitative and qualitative research into urban and regional challenges; and (6) communicate geographical perspectives and knowledge effectively to specialist and non-specialist audiences using appropriately selected written, oral and visual means.
Degree-specific major
Human Geography and Planning can be taken as a degree-specific major in the following degree courses:
BP001 Bachelor of Arts
BH005 Bachelor of Philosophy (Honours)
Overview of unit sequence
Human Geography and Planning is a degree-specific single major comprising:
- two Level 1 units
- two Level 2 units
- four Level 3 units
- two Level 2 complementary units
| Key to availability of units: |
|---|
| S1 = Semester 1; S2 = Semester 2; NS = non-standard teaching period |
Level 1
Take all units (12 points):
| Availability | Unit code | Unit name | unit requirements |
|---|---|---|---|
| S1 | GEOG1103 | Geographies of a Global City | |
| S2 | GEOG1104 | Disasters! |
Level 2
Take all units (12 points):
| Availability | Unit code | Unit name | unit requirements |
|---|---|---|---|
| S1 | GEOG2205 | Geographies of Economic Development | |
| S2 | GEOG2206 | Social Geography and Planning |
|
Take all complementary units (12 points):
| Availability | Unit code | Unit name | unit requirements |
|---|---|---|---|
| S1 | GEOG2201 | Geographic Information Systems |
|
| NS | GEOG2202 | Reading Landscapes: People and Processes |
Level 3
Take all units (24 points):
| Availability | Unit code | Unit name | unit requirements |
|---|---|---|---|
| S2 | GEOG3302 | Geographic, Environment and Planning Fieldwork | |
| S2 | GEOG3303 | Environmental Policy and Planning |
|
| S1 | GEOG3305 | Urban Planning and Design |
|
| S1 | GEOG3306 | Regional Development and Planning |
Choosing your degree-specific major
You must satisfy the requirements of a degree-specific major before you complete your course. The flexible structure of an undergraduate course allows you to try out a number of different subjects to see what interests you before nominating your degree-specific major. You have the choice to either nominate your degree-specific major when you first enrol in the course or delay nominating it until your second year.
To plan the first year of your study without nominating a degree-specific major, you are advised to choose units that will pave the way to two or more degree-specific majors that are of interest to you. For examples of the choice of units available in first year, search the first-year study plans .
To fully understand the structure of an undergraduate course, read the course structure information and the Undergraduate Degree Course Rules.
The following example illustrates how the Human Geography and Planning degree-specific major can be included in the Bachelor of Arts course.
There are more choices open to you. For more examples, search the study plans .
Choosing a second major
You also have the option to choose a second major from those available in the Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Biomedical Science, Bachelor of Commerce, Bachelor of Design Only available to re-enrolling students. or Bachelor of Science course, giving you the opportunity to pursue your interests no matter how different they are.
The following example illustrates how the Human Geography and Planning degree-specific major can be combined with a second major in the Bachelor of Arts course.
For more examples of combinations of majors, search the study plans .
Human Geography and Planning can also be taken as a second major.
Second major
Human Geography and Planning can be taken as a second major in the following degree courses:
- BP001 Bachelor of Arts
- BP006 Bachelor of Biomedical Science
- BP002 Bachelor of Commerce
- BP003 Bachelor of Design Only available to re-enrolling students.
- BP004 Bachelor of Science
- BH005 Bachelor of Philosophy (Honours)
Overview of unit sequence
The Human Geography and Planning second major is a single major comprising:
- two Level 1 units
- two Level 2 units
- four Level 3 units
- one Level 2 additional unit
| Key to availability of units: |
|---|
| S1 = Semester 1; S2 = Semester 2; NS = non-standard teaching period |
Level 1
Take all units (12 points):
| Availability | Unit code | Unit name | unit requirements |
|---|---|---|---|
| S1 | GEOG1103 | Geographies of a Global City | |
| S2 | GEOG1104 | Disasters! |
Level 2
Take all units (12 points):
| Availability | Unit code | Unit name | unit requirements |
|---|---|---|---|
| S1 | GEOG2205 | Geographies of Economic Development | |
| S2 | GEOG2206 | Social Geography and Planning |
|
Take additional unit (6 points):
| Availability | Unit code | Unit name | unit requirements |
|---|---|---|---|
| NS | GEOG2202 | Reading Landscapes: People and Processes |
Level 3
Take all units (24 points):
| Availability | Unit code | Unit name | unit requirements |
|---|---|---|---|
| S2 | GEOG3302 | Geographic, Environment and Planning Fieldwork | |
| S2 | GEOG3303 | Environmental Policy and Planning |
|
| S1 | GEOG3305 | Urban Planning and Design |
|
| S1 | GEOG3306 | Regional Development and Planning |
Choosing a second major
The flexible structure of an undergraduate course allows you the option of including a second major. You have the choice to either nominate your second major when you first enrol in the course or delay it until your second year. For a major to be recorded on your academic record it must be nominated before the requirements of the course are completed.
To fully understand the structure of an undergraduate course, read the course structure information and the Undergraduate Degree Course Rules.
The following example illustrates how Human Geography and Planning can be included as a second major in an undergraduate degree course.
For more examples of combinations of majors, search the study plans .
Human Geography and Planning can also be taken as a degree-specific major.