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Curtin University
Courses Handbook 2014

This handbook contains information for courses and units at Curtin in 2014.
Information for the previous year's courses and units is available at Courses Handbook 2013.

312117 v.3 Geography Major


Major/Stream Overview

This major/stream is part of a larger course. Information is specific to the major/stream, please refer to the course for more information.


Climate change and environmental stress more generally pose great challenges to humanity in every corner of the globe. Making human lives sustainable in such conditions involves meeting challenges which extend from securing essential food and energy supplies to developing viable settlements and social, cultural and economic institutions, as well as finding effective systems of local, national and international governance. The Geography Major explores the varied dimensions of social, economic and political change in an environmentally stressed world. It examines the threats and opportunities to developing and maintaining local communities within the context of regional, national and international processes.


Major Overview Note

Students choosing this major within the Bachelor of Arts degree will also choose another major or an elective stream. Choosing a second major allows students to study in an additional discipline area. Choosing an elective stream allows students to undertake further study in the discipline of their first major or choose from a variety of units from around the University.



Major/Stream Entry and Completion Details

Students should complete Human Geography 110 and Physical Geography 112 in first year.



Major/Stream Organisation

Major/Stream Learning Outcomes

A graduate of this course can:

1. apply interdisciplinary concepts and methods to understanding the environmental, social and economic aspects of development and change; extend the boundaries of knowledge about climate change

2. think creatively to generate innovative solutions to economic, social and environmental challenges

3. access, evaluate and synthesise information from various disciplines and integrate in order to assess human and environmental outcomes

4. communicate effectively for the development of policy solutions that suport sustainable development

5. use of current technologies when applied to finding information and making decisions about sustainable development

6. utilise lifelong learning skills and strategies for understanding the impact of change on human activities and the ecology

7. describe the global context of the need for a change to sustainable development; explore best international practices for finding solutions; apply these concepts within a regional/local environment.

8. recognise the importance of cultural diversity, including indigenous perspectives, in understanding and responding to environmental and social challenges

9. work both independently and in teams to find effective policies and ethical solutions to environmental and social issues; show leadership as a professional practitioner or collaborator.


Course Structure Hrs/Wk Credit
Year 2 Semester 1
312589 v.4   Geographies of Food Security 211 3.5 25.0
314788 v.1   Fieldwork Skills 222 3.0 25.0
  50.0
Year 2 Semester 2
312577 v.4   Natural Hazards 221 3.5 25.0
312588 v.4   Geographies of Migration 212 3.0 25.0
  50.0
Year 3 Semester 1
307905 v.2   Planning for Sustainability 211 3.0 25.0
307915 v.1   Rural Resource Planning 311 3.0 25.0
  50.0
Year 3 Semester 2
314789 v.1   Geographies of Health 312 3.0 25.0
314790 v.1   Global Cities and Regions 313 3.0 25.0
  50.0




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For course overviews and enrolment information please visit our future students website.