Programme Specification for the 2019/0 academic year

BA (Hons) Geography

1. Programme Details

Programme name	BA (Hons) Geography	Programme code	UFA3GOAGOA04
Study mode(s)	Full Time	Academic year	2019/0
Campus(es)	Streatham (Exeter)	NQF Level of the Final Award	6 (Honours)

2. Description of the Programme

This popular undergraduate programme on the Streatham campus will provide you with a broad understanding of geographical aspects of human society and the physical environment, and their complex interrelationships. It provides you the opportunity to develop your interests in the discipline and gain a more detailed appreciation of a variety of specific aspects of geography in which the Discipline specialises. Through field work and other forms of experiential learning, the programme aims to promote your curiosity about social, cultural and natural environments and to enable you to develop a range of skills specific to the geographer as well as a series of cognitive, generic and transferable skills.

The BA programmes offer the opportunity for you to undertake human geography research methods, participate in a human geography field trip, and carry out a human geography dissertation. These are the key features that distinguish them from the BSc Geography programmes.

3. Educational Aims of the Programme

The programme is intended to show Geography as a dynamic discipline concerned with processes and patterns in human and natural environments. It aims to provide you with a broad understanding of geographical aspects of human society and the physical environment and their complex interrelationships before offering you an opportunity to develop your own interests in the discipline and gain a more detailed and nuanced appreciation of a variety of specific aspects of human geography in which the discipline has specialised. Through fieldwork in human geography and other forms of experiential learning, this programme particularly aims to promote curiosity about social and cultural environments and, through a variety of pedagogies, to enable you to develop a range of skills specific to the human geographer as well as a series of cognitive, generic and transferable skills.

4. Programme Structure

5. Programme Modules

The following tables describe the programme and constituent modules. Constituent modules may be updated, deleted or replaced as a consequence of the annual programme review of this programme.

http://geography.exeter.ac.uk/currentstudents/

You may take optional modules as long as any necessary prerequisites have been satisfied, where the timetable allows and if you have not already taken the module in question or an equivalent module.

You may take elective modules up to 30 credits outside of the programme in each stage of the programme with permission as long as any necessary prerequisites have been satisfied, where the timetable allows and if you have not already taken the module in question or an equivalent module.

You are also permitted to take the five-credit module GEO3910 Professional Development Experience in Stages 2 and 3. Registration on this module is subject to a competitive application process. If taken, this module will not count towards progression or award calculation.

Stage 1

90 credits of compulsory modules, 30 credits of optional modules.

Compulsory Modules

Code	Module	Credits	Non-condonable?
GEO1105	Geographies of Place, Identity and Culture	15	No
GEO1106	Geographies of Global Change	15	No
GEO1309	Study Skills for Human Geographers	15	Yes
GEO1310	Geographies of Environment and Sustainability	15	No
GEO1313	Learning through Place: Doing Human Geography	15	No
GEO1316	Concepts in Geography	15	No

Optional Modules

Code	Module	Credits	Non-condonable?
GeoS S1 Physical opt for BA Geog 2019-0
GEO1211	Earth System Science: The History of Our Planet	15	No
GEO1213	Earth System Science: Our Changing Planet	15	No

Stage 2

60 credits of compulsory modules, 60 credits of optional modules.

^a It is compulsory to take a field course in the second year. You must select one field course module from GEO2308A, GEO2308C, GEO2308D, GEO2308E, GEO2308F and GEO2314A.

^b You must choose 30-60 credits from the Human Geography and interdisciplinary Geography modules listed.

^c You may then choose 0-30 credits from other level 5 Geography modules listed.

Compulsory Modules

Code	Module	Credits	Non-condonable?
GeoS S2 BA Geog field courses 2019-0 [See note a above]
GEO2308A	Human Geography Berlin Field Trip	15	No
GEO2308C	Human Geography Seville Field Trip	15	No
GEO2308D	Human Geography New York Field Trip	15	No
GEO2308E	Human Geography Virtual Field Trip	15	No
GEO2314A	Human and Physical Geography Bay of Naples Field Trip	15	No
GEO2308F	Human Geography Antwerp Field Trip	15	No
GEO2311	Ideas in Geography	15	No
GEO2327	Geographies of Justice: Research Methodologies in Action	15	No
GEO2328	Geographies of Consumption: Doing Human Geography Research	15	No

Optional Modules

Code	Module	Credits	Non-condonable?
GeoS S2 Human-Inter Geog opt for BA Geog 2019-0 [See note b above]
GEO2120	Political Geographies	15	No
GEO2131	Nature, Development and Justice	15	No
GEO2132	Global Urban Futures	15	No
GEO2133	Global Lives: Multicultural Geographies	15	No
GEO2134	Everyday Lives	15	No
GEO2316	Volatile Planet	15	No
GEO2317	Climate Change: Science and Society	15	No
GEO2318	Workplace Learning for Geographers	15	No
GeoS S2 Physical opt for BA Geog 2019-0 [See note c above]
GEO2221	Catchment Hydrology and Geomorphology	15	No
GEO2230	Reconstructing Past Environments	15	No
GEO2231	Landscape Dynamics	15	No
GEO2232	The Cryosphere	15	No

Stage 3

30-45 credits of compulsory modules, 75-90 credits of optional modules.

^d You must choose either GEO3311 or GEO3312.

Compulsory Modules

Code	Module	Credits	Non-condonable?
GEO3311	BA Dissertation [See note d above]	45	Yes
GEO3312	BA Dissertation [See note d above]	30	No

Optional Modules

Code	Module	Credits	Non-condonable?
GeoS SF BA-BSc Geog opt 2019-0
GEO3101	Gender and Geography	15	No
GEO3117	Geographies of Rurality	15	No
GEO3121	Cultural Geographies of Landscape	15	No
GEO3123	Geographies of Material Culture	15	No
GEO3126	The Geography of Monsters: Science, Society and Environmental Risk	15	No
GEO3129	Images of the Earth	15	No
GEO3131	Geographies of Creativity, Economy and Society	15	No
GEO3139	Geographies of Technology	15	No
GEO3140	Geographies of Education and Learning	15	No
GEO3142	Geographies of the Body	15	No
GEO3144	Geopolitical Cultures	15	No
GEO3223	Landscape Systems Management	15	No
GEO3224	Tropical Coastal Environments: Geomorphology and Environmental Change	15	No
GEO3225	Climate Change and its Impacts	15	No
GEO3227	Weather	15	No
GEO3232	Peatland Ecosystems	15	No
GEO3239	GIS for Professionals	15	No
GEO3241	Fire Ecology and Fire Management	15	No
GEO3242	Historical, Functional and Conservation Biogeography of Plants	15	No
GEO3243	Ice Sheets and Sea Level	15	No
GEO3244	Neotropical Environmental Change	15	No

6. Programme Outcomes Linked to Teaching, Learning and Assessment Methods

Intended Learning Outcomes
A: Specialised Subject Skills and Knowledge

Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs) On successfully completing this programme you will be able to:	Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs) will be...
...accommodated and facilitated by the following learning and teaching activities (in/out of class):	...and evidenced by the following assessment methods:
1. Illustrate the nature of change within human and physical environments. 2. Compare the reciprocal relationships between physical and human environments. 3. Explain the significance of spatial relationships as influences upon human and physical environments. 4. Summarise the diversity and interdependence of places at various spatial scales.	In Stage 1, primarily through tutorials, compulsory modules and through subject-based learning in human geography modules. In Stage 2, through fieldtrips, research training and work-based learning experiences. Implicitly through lectures, seminars and directed study in the context of a variety specific topic-based option modules in all Stages.	ILO 1 Explicitly through coursework and examinations in compulsory modules and throughout other module based assessments in Stages 2 and 3 (depending on options taken). ILOs 2-3 Much of Stage 1 is explicitly interdisciplinary, as are a number of option modules in Stages 2 and 3. These modules are assessed against student’s understanding about interconnections through essays and exams. ILO 4 This is assessed in the Stage 2 field course and implicitly through coursework and written examinations associated with topic-based modules.

Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)
On successfully completing this programme you will be able to:

Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs) will be...

...accommodated and facilitated by the following learning and teaching activities (in/out of class):

...and evidenced by the following assessment methods:

1. Illustrate the nature of change within human and physical environments.
2. Compare the reciprocal relationships between physical and human environments.
3. Explain the significance of spatial relationships as influences upon human and physical environments.
4. Summarise the diversity and interdependence of places at various spatial scales.

In Stage 1, primarily through tutorials, compulsory modules and through subject-based learning in human geography modules. In Stage 2, through fieldtrips, research training and work-based learning experiences. Implicitly through lectures, seminars and directed study in the context of a variety specific topic-based option modules in all Stages.

ILO 1 Explicitly through coursework and examinations in compulsory modules and throughout other module based assessments in Stages 2 and 3 (depending on options taken).

ILOs 2-3 Much of Stage 1 is explicitly interdisciplinary, as are a number of option modules in Stages 2 and 3. These modules are assessed against student’s understanding about interconnections through essays and exams.

ILO 4 This is assessed in the Stage 2 field course and implicitly through coursework and written examinations associated with topic-based modules.

Intended Learning Outcomes
B: Academic Discipline Core Skills and Knowledge

Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs) On successfully completing this programme you will be able to:	Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs) will be...
...accommodated and facilitated by the following learning and teaching activities (in/out of class):	...and evidenced by the following assessment methods:
5. Evaluate the diversity of approaches to the generation of knowledge and understanding deriving from experience of the epistemologies of the social and natural sciences. 6. Identify geographical concepts in different situations. 7. Apply ideas to new situations and with a systematic approach to accuracy, precision and uncertainty.	Explicitly introduced as a concept in Stage 1 compulsory modules, and later in Stage 2 research training and fieldwork-based modules. Expanded through subject-based learning in optional modules in Stages 2 and 3. Applied by student in independent dissertation.	ILO 5 Coursework in research training modules and fieldwork based modules in Stages 2 and 3 and in the dissertation. ILO 6 Field class training and through coursework and exams in all modules in all Stages. ILO 7 Explicitly assessed in project work in Stage 1 and applied and assessed in the dissertation.

Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)
On successfully completing this programme you will be able to:

Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs) will be...

...accommodated and facilitated by the following learning and teaching activities (in/out of class):

...and evidenced by the following assessment methods:

5. Evaluate the diversity of approaches to the generation of knowledge and understanding deriving from experience of the epistemologies of the social and natural sciences.
6. Identify geographical concepts in different situations.
7. Apply ideas to new situations and with a systematic approach to accuracy, precision and uncertainty.

Explicitly introduced as a concept in Stage 1 compulsory modules, and later in Stage 2 research training and fieldwork-based modules. Expanded through subject-based learning in optional modules in Stages 2 and 3. Applied by student in independent dissertation.

ILO 5 Coursework in research training modules and fieldwork based modules in Stages 2 and 3 and in the dissertation.

ILO 6 Field class training and through coursework and exams in all modules in all Stages.

ILO 7 Explicitly assessed in project work in Stage 1 and applied and assessed in the dissertation.

Intended Learning Outcomes
C: Personal/Transferable/Employment Skills and Knowledge

Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs) On successfully completing this programme you will be able to:	Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs) will be...
...accommodated and facilitated by the following learning and teaching activities (in/out of class):	...and evidenced by the following assessment methods:
8. Evaluate the issues involved in applying research design and execution skills within the specific context of primary research. 9. Evaluate the diversity of specialised approaches to, and techniques of, collecting, analysing and presenting information in Human Geography. 10. Synthesise information and recognise relevance, develop a sustained and reasoned argument, and evaluate and articulate weaknesses in the arguments of others. 11. Communicate ideas, principles and theories effectively and fluently by written, oral and visual means in a manner appropriate to the intended audience. 12. Illustrate and discuss the contested and provisional nature of knowledge and understanding and articulate and communicate teaching/learning methods and strategies. 13. Identify, formulate and evaluate questions or problems, and identify and evaluate approaches to problem-solving. 14. Use C&IT tools effectively and appropriately to select, analyse, present and communicate geographical information, effectively and appropriately interpret and use numerical statistical information, and apply basic and more advanced numerical skills effectively and appropriately to geographical information.	Personal transferable employment skills and knowledge are embedded in all modules. Stage 2 modules are strongly focused towards developing skills for use in the dissertation and in real life situations. Explicitly through directed practical exercises in Stage 1 and 2 research training modules; in field courses in Stages 1 and 2 and in dissertation supervisions in Stage 3. Implicitly through lectures, seminars and directed study in specific topic-based option modules in all Stages. Students have the option of a work-based module. Applied in self-directed dissertation.	ILO 8 Coursework in modules focusing on research training and fieldwork and the dissertation. ILO 9 Data analysis methods are explicitly assessed in Stage 1 and 2 research training modules, and implicitly in option modules in all Stages. ILO 10 Through coursework, essays, projects and exams in all modules in all Stages. ILO 11 Through coursework, essays, projects and exams in all modules in all Stages. ILO 12 Through critical writing tasks assessed in a range of modules through Stages 2 and 3 and in the dissertation. ILO 13 Explicitly through coursework in Stage 1 and 2 research training and fieldwork based modules and the dissertation. ILO 14 Explicitly in coursework for research training modules in Stages 1 and 2.

Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)
On successfully completing this programme you will be able to:

Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs) will be...

...accommodated and facilitated by the following learning and teaching activities (in/out of class):

...and evidenced by the following assessment methods:

8. Evaluate the issues involved in applying research design and execution skills within the specific context of primary research.
9. Evaluate the diversity of specialised approaches to, and techniques of, collecting, analysing and presenting information in Human Geography.
10. Synthesise information and recognise relevance, develop a sustained and reasoned argument, and evaluate and articulate weaknesses in the arguments of others.
11. Communicate ideas, principles and theories effectively and fluently by written, oral and visual means in a manner appropriate to the intended audience.
12. Illustrate and discuss the contested and provisional nature of knowledge and understanding and articulate and communicate teaching/learning methods and strategies.
13. Identify, formulate and evaluate questions or problems, and identify and evaluate approaches to problem-solving.
14. Use C&IT tools effectively and appropriately to select, analyse, present and communicate geographical information, effectively and appropriately interpret and use numerical statistical information, and apply basic and more advanced numerical skills effectively and appropriately to geographical information.

Personal transferable employment skills and knowledge are embedded in all modules. Stage 2 modules are strongly focused towards developing skills for use in the dissertation and in real life situations. Explicitly through directed practical exercises in Stage 1 and 2 research training modules; in field courses in Stages 1 and 2 and in dissertation supervisions in Stage 3. Implicitly through lectures, seminars and directed study in specific topic-based option modules in all Stages. Students have the option of a work-based module. Applied in self-directed dissertation.

ILO 8 Coursework in modules focusing on research training and fieldwork and the dissertation.

ILO 9 Data analysis methods are explicitly assessed in Stage 1 and 2 research training modules, and implicitly in option modules in all Stages.

ILO 10 Through coursework, essays, projects and exams in all modules in all Stages.

ILO 11 Through coursework, essays, projects and exams in all modules in all Stages.

ILO 12 Through critical writing tasks assessed in a range of modules through Stages 2 and 3 and in the dissertation.

ILO 13 Explicitly through coursework in Stage 1 and 2 research training and fieldwork based modules and the dissertation.

ILO 14 Explicitly in coursework for research training modules in Stages 1 and 2.

7. Programme Regulations

Classification

Full details of assessment regulations for all taught programmes can be found in the TQA Manual, specifically in the Credit and Qualifications Framework, and the Assessment, Progression and Awarding: Taught Programmes Handbook. Additional information, including Generic Marking Criteria, can be found in the Learning and Teaching Support Handbook.

8. College Support for Students and Students' Learning

All students in Geography are allocated Personal Tutors who monitor and advise you on your academic progress and performance throughout your degree programme. Each Personal Tutor keeps a record of your performance which culminates in a detailed record of achievement which is used, in addition to formal assessments, to help inform personal references requested by prospective employers. Personal Tutors provide pastoral oversight for non-academic problems (advising students as necessary on the availability of appropriate specialist and professional assistance), and encourage and facilitate Personal Development Planning through use of ePDP.

In addition, you take a compulsory, mainly tutorial-based, 15-credit Level 4 module on ‘Study Skills for Human Geography’ (GEO1309). This module aims to a) raise your awareness of the role you must yourself play in the learning process, b) facilitate your development as independent learners, and c) direct your acquisition of a range of specialist and generic skills.

You attend University and Discipline Induction courses on arrival, and are given University and Discipline Handbooks, providing information on programmes, the structure of the Geography Discipline, general information, contact numbers, etc. This information is updated through the Discipline’s website and ELE, which also provides a point of access to all learning and teaching materials. Student learning is supported by the Discipline’s ‘Advanced Computing Laboratory’, which provides dedicated support for GIS and other Discipline computing needs. This resource is in addition to a variety of university-level facilities, including the University Library and IT Services.

You can apply to the Myrtle Murray Travel Award for financial support of fieldwork. All teaching staff maintain an ‘open door’ policy to facilitate student access. Staff email addresses are also made available to you to further facilitate staff-student contact. There is also student representation at all levels in the Discipline and programme development takes place with explicit consultation, notably through the Student-Staff Liaison Committee and formal representation of students on the Discipline Education Committee and at the termly Discipline meeting.

9. University Support for Students and Students' Learning

Please refer to the University Academic Policy and Standards guidelines regarding support for students and students' learning.

10. Admissions Criteria

Undergraduate applicants must satisfy the Undergraduate Admissions Policy of the University of Exeter.

Postgraduate applicants must satisfy the Postgraduate Admissions Policy of the University of Exeter.

Specific requirements required to enrol on this programme are available at the respective Undergraduate or Postgraduate Study Site webpages.

11. Regulation of Assessment and Academic Standards

Each academic programme in the University is subject to an agreed College assessment and marking strategy, underpinned by institution-wide assessment procedures.

The security of assessment and academic standards is further supported through the appointment of External Examiners for each programme. External Examiners have access to draft papers, course work and examination scripts. They are required to attend the Board of Examiners and to provide an annual report. Annual External Examiner reports are monitored at both College and University level. Their responsibilities are described in the University's code of practice. See the University's TQA Manual for details.

(http://as.exeter.ac.uk/support/admin/staff/qualityassuranceandmonitoring/tqamanual/fullcontents/)

12. Indicators of Quality and Standards

13. Methods for Evaluating and Improving Quality and Standards

The University and its constituent Colleges draw on a range of data to review the quality of educational provision. The College documents the performance in each of its taught programmes, against a range of criteria on an annual basis through the Annual Programme Monitoring cycle:

Admissions, progression and completion data
In Year Analysis data
Previous monitoring report
Monitoring of core (and optional) modules
External examiner's reports and University and College responses (reported to SSLC)
Any Professional, Statutory and Regulatory Body/accrediting body or other external reports
Consultation with employers and former students
Staff evaluation
Student evaluation
Programme aims

Subject areas are reviewed every four years through a periodic subject review scheme that includes external contributions. (http://admin.exeter.ac.uk/academic/tls/tqa/Part%209/9JREVISEDPSRSCHEME.pdf)

14. Awarding Institution

University of Exeter

15. Lead College / Teaching Institution

College of Life and Environmental Sciences (CLES)

16. Partner College / Institution

Partner College(s)

Not applicable to this programme

Partner Institution

Not applicable to this programme.

17. Programme Accredited / Validated by

18. Final Award

BA (Hons) Geography

19. UCAS Code

L705

20. NQF Level of Final Award

6 (Honours)

21. Credit

CATS credits		ECTS credits

22. QAA Subject Benchmarking Group

[Honours] Geography

23. Dates

Origin Date	22/03/2012	Date of last revision	14/06/2019

Description

Programme Specification for the 2019/0 academic year

BA (Hons) Geography

1. Programme Details

2. Description of the Programme

3. Educational Aims of the Programme

4. Programme Structure

5. Programme Modules

Stage 1

Compulsory Modules

Optional Modules

Stage 2

Compulsory Modules

Optional Modules

Stage 3

Compulsory Modules

Optional Modules

6. Programme Outcomes Linked to Teaching, Learning and Assessment Methods

Intended Learning Outcomes A: Specialised Subject Skills and Knowledge

Intended Learning Outcomes B: Academic Discipline Core Skills and Knowledge

Intended Learning Outcomes C: Personal/Transferable/Employment Skills and Knowledge

7. Programme Regulations

8. College Support for Students and Students' Learning

9. University Support for Students and Students' Learning

10. Admissions Criteria

11. Regulation of Assessment and Academic Standards

12. Indicators of Quality and Standards

13. Methods for Evaluating and Improving Quality and Standards

14. Awarding Institution

15. Lead College / Teaching Institution

16. Partner College / Institution

Partner College(s)

Partner Institution

17. Programme Accredited / Validated by

18. Final Award

19. UCAS Code

20. NQF Level of Final Award

21. Credit

22. QAA Subject Benchmarking Group

23. Dates

Intended Learning Outcomes
A: Specialised Subject Skills and Knowledge

Intended Learning Outcomes
B: Academic Discipline Core Skills and Knowledge

Intended Learning Outcomes
C: Personal/Transferable/Employment Skills and Knowledge