Introducing Human Geographies provides a broad introduction to the study of human geography, identifying and exploring key inter-relationships, namely between people, places and environments. The module outlines conceptual and theoretical approaches to the study of human geography. Attention focuses on the role of time, space and scale in human geography. In addition, the module introduces students to current debates, concerns and issues within the discipline.

Practising Human Geographies focuses on the broad theme of ‘human geography in action’. The module will introduce you to the research process in human geography and the idea of ‘practising’ human geography. You will be guided through the research process, using local fieldwork activities to gain experience of practising and evaluating the effectiveness of a range of qualitative research methods. In addition, key themes and case studies in cultural, urban and environmental geography will be used to exemplify different ways in which human geography can be researched.

Introducing Physical Geographies provides an overview of physical geography which looks at basic concepts and their development. The module outlines the physical framework of the Earth’s surface and investigates the materials and processes operating there. It covers aspects of biogeography, soils, climatology and geomorphology.

Environmental Issues provides an awareness and understanding of the nature of environmental issues facing the world today. Issues such as climatic change, water quality, flooding, biodiversity loss and human vulnerability to natural hazards will be considered. Through case studies, the physical processes underlying the issues will be explained together with an evaluation of management responses.

Practical Skills for Geography and Environmental Science is a skills-based module, using geographical knowledge to develop a range of subject-specific skills together with general use of ICT and communication skills. The module focuses on the handling, analysis and communication of spatial and graphical data. You will be introduced to the principles, uses and practical skills of Geographical Information Systems as part of the module.

Introduction to Geographical and Environmental Science Research provides an overview of the subject specific and generic skills in Geography and Environmental Science that you will require to study, research and succeed in your studies. This includes the development of research skills, cartographical skills, statistical analysis and fieldwork skills.

Research Methods for Human Geography uses investigative research processes to enhance and develop your knowledge and understanding of essential research methods in human geography.

Human Geography Research in Practice uses investigative research processes to enhance and develop essential field research methods in human geography. You will learn how to design a research project proposal using appropriate quantitative and qualitative methods, carry out and report upon effective field investigations in an overseas setting, and identify the significance of the appropriate ethical, health and safety and environmental issues in human geographical fieldwork.

Urban and Rural Geographies investigates key themes, concepts and issues in urban and rural geography. The module’s attention focuses on exploring the similarities and differences encountered by people living and working in urban and rural environments through an examination of the economic, social and political processes which have shaped such lived experiences and relationships.

Digital Geographies develops your knowledge and skills in remote sensing and Geographical Information Systems (GIS) which are widely used in a variety of fields including planning, health studies, environmental investigations and resource management. The module focuses on remote sensing analysis and interpretation of aerial and satellite imagery, which has transformed the manner in which geographers and geoscientists view the Earth. You will explore how remote sensing and GIS have greatly improved our understanding of atmospheric, oceanic and landform processes, helped to sustain environmental management and enabled a better understanding of the interaction of humans with the natural world. The module also extensively covers the use of Geographical Information Systems as one of the most important tool to process and analyse geographical data.

Retail and Consumption Geographies examines the workings of the retail industry, exploring how this industry impacts on people, places and environments. The module considers the ways in which the retail sector has changed over time, in particular in terms of space, technology and behaviour.

Geomorphology introduces you to the study of geomorphological processes and the landforms they produce in a range of Earth surface environments. The module will outline important concepts for understanding the relationships between processes and landforms. You will study the linkages between landforms and processes in a selection of Earth surface environments such as coastal, fluvial, desert and glacial. You will also be introduced to the identification of landforms and the observation of processes through work in the field and laboratory.

Sustainability and the Global Built Environment explores the human-built environment’s relationship with sustainable development through a number of key issues, concepts and theories of architecture, urban planning and design. Particular emphasis will be placed on the evolution of the city culture and the transformation of the global built environment.

Weather, Climate and Soils provides you with a detailed understanding of the climate system and the soil system. The module covers a range of atmospheric processes through to the development of weather systems, with a specific focus on mid-latitude weather. The varying nature and properties of soils, and the soil processes which give rise to soil formation and development are then considered. You will receive practical training in the analysis and interpretation of meteorological data as well as being guided in the methods used in the field and laboratory analysis of soils.

Biogeography examines spatial and temporal patterns of living organisms over the Earth’s surface and highlights the fundamental processes and causal factors which determine these patterns, examining contributions to these processes by human and physical phenomena. Key themes such as the history and development of ecological communities through time, human impacts on the biosphere and biodiversity run through the whole module.

Work Based Learning for Geography, Environmental and Geological Science provides you with a professional setting in which you can apply the knowledge and skills acquired in lectures, workshops and practical classes, while simultaneously extending and refining your knowledge and skills, over and above the experiences provided through the mechanisms of fieldwork and dissertation work.

Dissertation in Geography enables you to develop and apply a range of research and transferable skills in the planning, execution and reporting of an individual research project on a relevant topic of your choice. The module provides you with the opportunity to demonstrate the ability to work independently and effectively, meeting deadlines and producing a professional product, in consultation with a supervisor.

Sport Geographies investigates how modern sport is used to explore geographical concepts of space, place and identity. The module examines the economic, social, political, health, environmental and cultural impacts of sport. You will focus on the economic, political and social processes operating at various spatial scales and build your understanding of how they produce a range of sporting opportunities, experiences and modes of engagement.

Heritage Tourism explores the presence of the past in contemporary society, focusing on the role of heritage and culture in the tourism industry. You will define and understand classifications of heritage themed attractions, identify and critically evaluate the role of heritage in place promotion and economic regeneration, critically evaluate debates surrounding the representation of people, places and cultures, and assess key issues surrounding the management of heritage sites and attractions.

Natural Hazards identifies the nature of geohazards and the relationships between hazards and risk to people. The module investigates the distribution, causes and management of a range of major geohazards. It will enable you to demonstrate your ability to research and evaluate information on geohazards both on an individual basis and in a group scenario.

Population and Medical Geographies enables a contemporary understanding of population and medical geographies through the exploration of a number of number of key themes, concepts and theories of demography, epidemiology and accessibility to health care provisions. The module also develops your practical skills through the use of statistical packages to analyse and map health care data.

Environmental Change develops your knowledge and understanding of the nature of environmental change from the last glacial period to the recent past. You will examine the evidence for change, consider potential causes, and analyse the spatial and temporal responses.  The module explores the major changes of the Late Glacial, Holocene and recent periods and examines the relative contibutions of forcing factors, such as climatic variability and anthropogenic activity. In addition, the module critically considers the techniques and methodologies used in the reconstrcution of environmental change.

Rivers and Coasts immerses you in the advanced study of fluvial and coastal landscapes. The module draws on geomorphological, environmental and management issues in rivers and coastlines in the UK and around the world, with particular emphasis on fluvial/coastal processes and resources. The impact of management strategies and climate change on fluvial and coastal landscapes will also be explored. The module considers key theories on fluvial and coastal geomorphology, examines recent papers in each topic area and explores some of the techniques and instrumentation in modern research. A number of examples will be drawn from research in the North West of England and other areas of the UK.

Wetlands explores the largest terrestrial carbon store; wetlands. The module studies the flora and fauna that have adapted to and formed these environments. You will examine the sensitivity of these environments to climate change and analyse the historic, current and future management strategies required to preserve these ecosystems.

Popular Culture of South Asia explores cultural practices in both South Asian and diasporic South Asian communities living in the UK, with particular reference to historical geographies (including colonial and post-colonial period) of different nation states. You will critically assess key concepts such as orientalism, colonial and post-colonial culture, imperialism, hybridity and nationhood. The aim is to analyse the relationships between societal and cultural variables in major developing nations and the UK, synthesise the approaches of relevant disciplines (such as history, religion and social studies) and recognise cultural diversity and social inequality within South Asian societies.

Remote Sensing facilitates advanced learning in remote sensing, covering the theory behind the acquisition, interrogation and application of Earth observation imagery and the practice of image analysis. Module content will include remote sensing basics – the remote sensing process, the nature of imagery and image processing procedures, as well as the application of remote sensing to different environmental and social issues. These include deforestation, agricultural production and urban growth.

Applied Geographical Information Systems recognises that GIS is an increasingly specialised and growing field, providing spatial data management and analysis to many academic disciplines as well as a broad range of business and public organisations. The module focuses on the theory and application of GIS technologies for geographical and environmental enquiry and/or application. You will develop advanced technological skills which will enhance your employability.

Critical Autism Studies adopts a critical approach to understanding autism and seeks to challenge the dominant medical model of neurological deficit. Rather than viewing autism as a cognitive development disability, you will be encouraged to consider it as a naturally occurring form of cognitive diversity. The module will examine the argument that autism has been constructed as a neurobiological deficit in a context of neurotypicality or cognitive normality. Understanding autism as neurodiversity opens up spaces for more positive interpretations of autistic people’s experiences, skills and identities. The module is underpinned and, in part, informed by, research by members of the programme team which is focused on areas of sexuality and autism and, specifically, what professionals and care workers should do when providing support for people whose intellectual disability or mental condition makes their consent – being informed, competent and free from coercion – legally unreliable.

Critical Terrorism Studies recognises that in the wake of the 9/11 attacks, and those in London, Madrid, Paris and beyond, terrorism and political violence have become ever more pressing contemporary issues. But, what is ‘terrorism’; what does the term itself actually mean? What causes political violence, how is it represented in modern multi-mediated societies and how does the issue of ‘counter terrorism’ impact on the lives of people today? How has the ‘fear’ of terrorism come to affect our society? These are the sort of questions this module is designed to address. You will be invited to employ and develop your understanding of critical sociological theories, concepts and approaches in order to investigate these matters of great contemporary social importance.

Desire: Law, Politics, Ethics, Difference explores the question of how we understand sexual desires, how they shape our identities and relationships and how our practices make erotic, social and cultural meanings for us and others. The module also examines why we permit some sexual pleasures while regulating or prohibiting others and questions what rationales explain how these lines of distinction are drawn in contemporary societies. Whilst law clearly provides a coda of what is regulated or prohibited, it rarely explains why. You will explore these issues, develop a critical sense of enquiry and reconstruct ethical, cultural and political arguments for why society might wish to regulate or prohibit, or perhaps even encourage and celebrate, different desires and pleasures.

Childhood and Sexuality juxtaposes how children and young people are constructed simultaneously as desexualised or pre-sexual beings and, therefore, in need of protection and, at the same time, young people, in particular, are portrayed as sexually ‘promiscuous’ or engaged in sexual ‘risk taking behaviour’. The module introduces you to the tensions between these contradictory constructions of youth sexuality and explores the ways in which young people understand their sexuality and develop their sexual identity.

Superdiversity and Community explores the theoretical and conceptual platform of (super)diversity as well as its implications for policy and practice. (Super)diversity has slowly gained ground as an important concept in explaining the diversification of urban areas in the North Western world as a result of increased immigration and the contact between people of various backgrounds. At the same time, superdiversity research and the broader social science literature consider diversification a topic worthy of investigation in its own right. Recently the attention of scholars concerned with issues of diversification has turned to the implications that conceptual and societal developments linked to (super)diversity have for communities and practitioners. The module will analyse these implications in light of burgeoning literature in the field of diversification and community and social relations.

Socio-Cultural Issues and Questions provides you with the opportunity to intensively study a particular society and culture through some of its contemporary issues. The module allows for the comparative cultural analysis of a different society to the one you live in, focused around some preparatory lectures and reflective sessions and an intensive study trip to that country. The focus of the study trip will be to explore both comparisons and contrasts, and use the experience of difference to explore social and cultural issues and problems.

GEO3089 Applied Geographical Information Systems (20 credits) added as an optional module in Year 3.

An A-Level (or equivalent qualification) in Geography, Environmental Science or a related subject is now essential in order to meet the standard entry criteria for this degree.