Undergraduate Course: Human Geography (GEGR08007)
Course Outline
| School | School of Geosciences |
College | College of Science and Engineering |
| Credit level (Normal year taken) | SCQF Level 8 (Year 1 Undergraduate) |
Availability | Available to all students |
| SCQF Credits | 20 |
ECTS Credits | 10 |
| Summary | Human Geography is a broad course designed to introduce students to key geographical debates, theories and concepts. The course provides a foundation to future studies in geography. Students will gain a broad understanding of the interaction between human societies and the spaces in which they exist, looking at a range of economic, cultural, social, ecological and political processes at a variety of scales. We will examine why geography matters to a series of contemporary debates and concerns, including: globalization, climate change, social inequality, nonhuman life, capitalism, and the future. A variety of local, national and international case studies will be used to examine these substantive issues and to consider issues of justice, values and ethics. During the course students will be encouraged to pursue their curiosity about the world around them and some of the most pressing, contemporary social, economic, political, ecological and cultural issues of our time. |
| Course description |
The course is taught using lectures and tutorials and supported by a range of online materials. The lectures will introduce students to key geographical themes and ideas. The tutorials will enable students to explore these themes in a group setting in which they will be asked to draw upon their own observations, experience and readings. In Developing an Essay Plan students are expected to demonstrate how they will develop an essay on a pre-determined question. This plan will then be developed into a Degree Essay where students are expected to demonstrate a critical understanding of a key concept in human geography. Students will also be guided through a programme of directed reading that should feed into tutorials, essays and the take home examination.
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Entry Requirements (not applicable to Visiting Students)
| Pre-requisites |
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Co-requisites | |
| Prohibited Combinations | |
Other requirements | This course is open to 1st and 2nd year students only. This course is open to all university students, but priority will be given to students on the Geography Degree Programmes. Students from other programmes may be able to join if there is space. Please contact geoset.ug.drummond@ed.ac.uk to check availability. |
Information for Visiting Students
| Pre-requisites | This is a first-year course; students are expected to have an academic profile equivalent to our entrance requirements. The required subjects for this course are an equivalent to Scottish Highers in two of the following: Biology, Chemistry, Environmental Science, Geography, Mathematics or Physics.
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| High Demand Course? |
Yes |
Course Delivery Information
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| Academic year 2025/26, Available to all students (SV1)
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Quota: 216 |
| Course Start |
Semester 1 |
Timetable |
Timetable |
| Learning and Teaching activities (Further Info) |
Total Hours:
200
(
Lecture Hours 22,
Seminar/Tutorial Hours 10,
Supervised Practical/Workshop/Studio Hours 7,
Feedback/Feedforward Hours 2,
Formative Assessment Hours 4,
Summative Assessment Hours 2,
Programme Level Learning and Teaching Hours 4,
Directed Learning and Independent Learning Hours
149 )
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| Additional Information (Learning and Teaching) |
To pass the course, students must obtain a pass in both the Degree Essay and Take-Home Exam.
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| Assessment (Further Info) |
Written Exam
50 %,
Coursework
50 %,
Practical Exam
0 %
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| Additional Information (Assessment) |
Degree Essay (45%):
- Use of AI Tools is Not Permitted: Academic integrity is a core principle of research and academic practice. All submitted work must be your own. AI tools (e.g., ELM) must not be used for this assessment. Unauthorised use of AI may constitute academic misconduct.
- Coursework Extensions: Extensions are not permitted for this assessment.
- Extra Time Learning Adjustments: Students with Extra Time Learning Adjustments may request additional time for this assessment. Applications should be made using the Extra Time Learning Adjustment (ETA) tool, available via the Disability Support page in MyEd.
Reflection Piece (5%):
- Use of AI Tools is Not Permitted: Academic integrity is a core principle of research and academic practice. All submitted work must be your own. AI tools (e.g., ELM) must not be used for this assessment. Unauthorised use of AI may constitute academic misconduct.
- Coursework Extensions: Extensions are not permitted for this assessment.
- Extra Time Learning Adjustments: Students with Extra Time Learning Adjustments may request additional time for this assessment. Applications should be made using the Extra Time Learning Adjustment (ETA) tool, available via the Disability Support page in MyEd.
24-Hour Take-Home Exam (50%):
- Use of AI Tools is Not Permitted: Academic integrity is a core principle of research and academic practice. All submitted work must be your own. AI tools (e.g., ELM) must not be used for this assessment. Unauthorised use of AI may constitute academic misconduct.
- Coursework Extensions: Extensions are not permitted for examinations.
- Extra Time Learning Adjustments: Extra Time Learning Adjustments are not permitted for this examination. The exam is designed to take approximately 2-3 hours to complete, and extra time accommodations have already been incorporated.
Course Pass Requirements:
In order to pass this course, students must meet all of the following requirements:
- Achieve a minimum mark of 40% on the 'Degree Essay' assessment.
- Achieve a minimum mark of 40% on the '24-Hour Take-Home Exam'.
- Achieve an overall course grade of 40% (or higher).
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| Feedback |
Written feedback will be provided on all submitted work, including the class essay, degree project and take home exam. Verbal feedback will be provided in tutorials. |
| No Exam Information |
Learning Outcomes
On completion of this course, the student will be able to:
- Demonstrate a range of writing skills (essay, report and peer review) and analytical skills.
- Critically assess a range of theoretical and conceptual issues in human geography.
- Demonstrate skills in constructive criticism and analysis.
- Read widely using bibliographic databases and other library resources.
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Reading List
Cloke, P., Crang, P. and Goodwin, M. (2013) Introducing Human Geographies (Third edition). London: Routledge
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Additional Information
| Graduate Attributes and Skills |
Students will be able to demonstrate knowledge of the importance of geographical enquiry to key contemporary debates which include globalization, sustainability, social inequality and nationalism. Students will also be able to demonstrate skills an ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing. |
| Special Arrangements |
This course is open to 1st and 2nd year students only. This course is open to all university students, but priority will be given to students on the Geography Degree Programmes. Students from other programmes may be able to join if there is space. Please contact geoset.ug.drummond@ed.ac.uk to check availability. |
| Keywords | Development,Culture,Politics,Land,Landscape,Climate,Health |
Contacts
| Course organiser | Dr Krithika Srinivasan
Tel: (0131 6)51 4311
Email: k.srinivasan@ed.ac.uk |
Course secretary | Miss Leigh Corstorphine
Tel: (0131 6)50 9847
Email: lcorstor@ed.ac.uk |
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