School of Geography and Environmental Science

Disciplines

Australian Indigenous archaeology; Geography and environmental science

The School of Geography and Environmental Science offers major and minor studies in each of the following sequences:

geography and environmental science (Bachelor of Arts)
geography and environmental science (Bachelor of Science)
geography and environmental science (Bachelor of Environmental Science)
atmospheric science (Bachelor of Science)
Australian Indigenous studies (Bachelor of Arts)

Overall the goal of the school is to develop a mature understanding of the:

key characteristics of places
complex interdependence of human activities
roles of natural processes and human agency in transformation
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 term ‘environment’ is employed at every level in the school’s 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
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 and environmental science 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).

The school’s research and teaching program can be divided into five main thematic groups:

Physical geography focuses on the science of the environment and shares with other branches of the natural sciences an interest in the earth’s atmosphere, vegetation cover and terrain. It encompasses biogeography, climatology, geomorphology, hydrology, Quaternary environments, earth systems interactions and soil analysis.

Human geography investigates the ways in which human communities occupy, use and modify spaces and places on the Earth. As well as their contribution to environmental management, human geographers focus on cultural, economic and political processes especially in urban and third world settings, and the study of globalisation is an important theme.

Environment and society is a third thematic group within the school focused on environmental policy and practice, the resolution of natural resource conflicts, and the application of sustainability strategies.

Geographic information science centres around the geo-spatial techniques used to analyse and manage the environment. Here, 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.

Australian Indigenous archaeology specialises in archaeological studies of Aboriginal Australia and Torres Strait.

Many 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 and prehistoric 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.

For information on the units required for major or minor sequences in geography and environmental science or Australian Indigenous archaeology, refer to the ‘Areas of study’ section on the Arts faculty website at www.arts.monash.edu.au/current/coursework/study-areas/.

Year coordinators

Students seeking advice on their course programs or other academic matters are invited to approach the appropriate year coordinator. Year coordinators for 2007 will be:

First year: Dr Meredith Orr

Second year: Professor Nigel Tapper

Third year: Dr Xuan Zhu

Fourth year: Dr Stephen Legg

Relevant courses

For details of the following courses, see ‘Outline of undergraduate studies’ section.

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

* Refer to the Faculty of Science entries in this handbook for these courses.

Contact details

Inquiries (Clayton): Room S214, South Wing, Menzies building; Telephone +61 3 9905 2910; Email geography@arts.monash.edu.au or visit www.arts.monash.edu.au/schools/ges/

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