Module Code - Title:
GY4001
-
INTRODUCTION TO HUMAN GEOGRAPHY
Year Last Offered:
2025/6
Hours Per Week:
Grading Type:
N
Prerequisite Modules:
Rationale and Purpose of the Module:
This module introduces students to the study of people and communities in their environment and how social, cultural, economic and political interactions shaped it. It seeks to communicate an understanding of key concepts of information, an evaluation and synthesis of a variety of types of geographical information and qualitative and quantitative data, and an ability to construct sustained written arguments on geographical issues.
Syllabus:
The module explores the interrelationships between human processes and the environment in their local, regional and global contexts. Students will be introduced to the key thinkers, ideas, theories and contemporary issues in Human Geography. It examines the key social, economic, political, demographic, environmental and cultural processes evident across the globe in contemporary and historical contexts.
Themes include population and migration; cultural patterns and processes; political organisation of space; urban and rural land use; agriculture, food production, and rural land use; industrialisation and economic impacts; climate and environmental issues; cultural systems and identity; development and sustainability.
Learning Outcomes:
Cognitive (Knowledge, Understanding, Application, Analysis, Evaluation, Synthesis)
On successful completion of this module, students will be able to:
Explain key concepts in human geography with reference to key thinkers and relevant case studies.
Give examples of the way in which humans perceive, define, behave in and structure different environments, based on key social, economic, political, demographic, environmental and cultural processes.
Illustrate the importance of a knowledge of human geography to meeting the Sustainable Development Goals.
Collect and interpret primary and secondary geographical data.
Affective (Attitudes and Values)
On successful completion of this module, students will be able to:
Recognise the need to understand concepts in human geography in order to plan for and manage future global and local challenges.
Value the role of fieldwork in geography.
Psychomotor (Physical Skills)
n/a
How the Module will be Taught and what will be the Learning Experiences of the Students:
This module will be delivered through a combination of lecturers, tutorials and self directed learning.
Research Findings Incorporated in to the Syllabus (If Relevant):
Prime Texts:
Cloke, P, Grang, M and Goodwin, M (eds.) (2014)
Introducing Human Geographies
, 3rd edition, Routledge
Gregory, D (2009)
The Dictionary of Human Geography
, 5th edition, Wiley Blackwell
Rubenstein, J.M. (2017)
The Cultural Landscape: An Introduction to Human Geography
, 12th edition, New Jersey: Prentice Hall
Boyle, M (2015)
Human Geography: a concise introduction,
, Wiley-Blackwell
Other Relevant Texts:
Daniels, P., Bradshaw, M., Shaw, D and Sidaway, J. (2016)
An Introduction to Human
Geography
, 7th ed. New Jersey: Pearson.
Dahlman, C., Bergman, E.F. and Renwick, W.H. (2014)
Introduction to Geography: People,
Places, and Environment
, 6th ed. New Jersey: Pearson Prentice Hall.
Programme(s) in which this Module is Offered:
BAULARUFA - ARTS
BSSOSCUFA - SOCIAL SCIENCES
BSPHEDUFA - PHYSICAL EDUCATION
Semester(s) Module is Offered:
Autumn
Module Leader:
sara.hannafin@ul.ie