Undergraduate handbook 2005 - Arts

School of Geography and Environmental Science

Disciplines

Environmental science
Geography

Email

geography@arts.monash.edu.au

Home page

http://www.arts.monash.edu.au/schools/ges/

Inquiries

Room S214, South Wing, Menzies building, Clayton campus

Telephone

+ 61 3 9905 2910
The School of Geography and Environmental Science offers geography sequences in the faculties of Arts and Science. The school also offers a sequence permitting undergraduate specialisation in environmental science for the Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of Environmental Science, and in atmospheric science for the Bachelor of Science.
The program has been adapted to suit local educational and vocational demands, but is otherwise fully representative of geography's international profile. Its goal is to develop a mature understanding of the following:

• the key characteristics of places
• the complex interdependence of human activities
• the roles of natural processes and human agency in the transformation of the earth's surface
• the availability of a rich diversity of approaches to the accumulation of knowledge concerning the interrelationships of place, people and environment.

Studies encompass an array of cultures and environments in both hemispheres, and make frequent reference to local examples. Students are thereby encouraged to see that individual and collective responsibility for the environment can be expressed through an informed engagement with local, regional and global issues. The school contributes to interdisciplinary programs in Asian studies, Australian studies, development studies, environmental engineering, environmental science, environmental history, atmospheric science, Indigenous studies, archaeology and women's studies.
The term `environment' is employed at every level in the geography curriculum. It subsumes the following:

• The notion of `natural' environments unaltered by human activity.
• Human-modified environments representing profound alterations over vast areas of the globe and including, most notably, agricultural systems and rural settlement.
• Even more `artificial' environments such as industrialised regions and urban areas.
• The process whereby `nature' and `the environment' is socially constructed.
• The nature, causes and consequences of environmental change.

Students are therefore expected to come to an appreciation of internal variations of landscape and activity within each of these categories. The material and concepts studied require critical evaluation across various spatial scales, as well as an understanding of spatial process that link regions and contribute to particular geographic patterns and other phenomena.
Geography requires students to develop the following useful capabilities:

• Identification, description, measurement and classification of phenomena.
• Application of acquired knowledge to new situations.
• Formulation and testing of hypotheses, using qualitative and quantitative techniques as appropriate.
• Employment of effective modes of communication through participation in oral discussion sessions, the preparation of written reports, and data presentation.
• Critical explorations of attitudes, values and prejudices.
• Systematic interpretation of phenomena in the field and laboratory where appropriate.
• Extrapolation of data trends, such as demographic or environmental change.
• Understanding of relevant methodological differences affecting the choice and application of suitable theories.

Computer techniques are considered highly relevant, from a minimum expectation of basic keyboarding to the integration of sophisticated analytical methods in later segments of the program. The school also supports specialist thematic mapping utilising Geographical Information Systems (GIS).
In GIS students learn to collect and handle digital spatial data, implement data integration procedures and develop spatial modelling. These techniques are applied to social and environmental issues such as sustainability and efficiency.
Students may major in either the physical or human branches of geography, in a combination of the two, or in environmental science. The school also offers specialisation in world prehistory and Australian Indigenous archaeology. Physical geography shares with other branches of the natural sciences an interest in the earth's atmosphere, vegetation cover and terrain. Physical geography encompasses biogeography, climatology, geomorphology, hydrology, Quaternary environments, earth systems interactions and soil analysis. Human geography shares with other branches of the humanities and social sciences an interest in the ways in which human communities occupy, use and modify the earth's surface. It is recommended that students pursue studies in both branches, to take advantage of geography's invaluable role as a link between the arts and sciences. As well as their contribution to environmental management, human geographers also focus on cultural, economic and political processes especially in urban and third world settings, and the study of globalisation is an important theme. Environmental policy and practice, the resolution of natural resource conflicts, and the application of sustainability strategies is a major area of specialisation open to students in the school.
Allowance is made throughout for the selection of individual courses, which service broader campus programs, and for the formation of recognised sequences in geography and environmental science.
Most geography units offer opportunities for field studies in different landscapes. These include day or weekend trips to study cities, coasts, alpine areas, soils, hydrology, climatology and meteorology, Australian Indigenous archaeology, tourism and environmental management, but more extensive and lengthy excursions are also available. Specialist intensive study units examine Australian desert environments (landscape processes and prehistory), regional sustainability (in South Africa) and sustainable development (in the Italian Riviera). Basic laboratory techniques are also taught in selected physical geography and archaeology units.
Those proceeding into the fourth or honours year have the further opportunity to consolidate their understanding of an area (or areas) of specialisation, while pursuing a research topic under expert supervision.

Year coordinators

Students seeking advice on their course programs or other academic matters are invited to approach the appropriate year coordinator. Year coordinators for 2005 will be:
First year: Dr Meredith Orr
Second year: Dr Lauren Costello
Third year: Dr John Grindrod
Fourth year: Dr Stephen Legg

Relevant courses

For details of the following courses, see `Outline of undergraduate studies' earlier in this section.

• Bachelor of Arts (and associated double degrees)
• Diploma in Arts (Geography and Environmental Science)
• Bachelor of Letters

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