Geography and International Relations BA (Hons)

Program Overview

Students will explore global challenges and develop skills to analyze and address them. The program emphasizes experiential learning through field trips, placements, and interactions with experts, equipping graduates for a wide range of careers in government, development, and journalism.

Program Outline

Degree Overview:

This program is designed for students interested in exploring the human and environmental factors behind global issues. It aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of the complex interplay between geography and international relations, equipping students with the knowledge and skills to analyze and address global challenges. The program emphasizes learning from experts who actively contribute to global debates on topics such as poverty, inequality, climate change, and migration. Students will gain real-world experience through interactions with industry speakers, international placements, and field trips to diverse locations like the Mojave Desert, Dubai, China, and Greece.

Outline:

The Geography and International Relations BA (Hons) is a joint-honors program, with each subject area (Geography and International Relations) comprising 50% of the course. The program is structured over three years, with a specific focus on core modules and optional modules.

Year 1:

• Core Modules:
• Human Geographies of the Modern World
• Introduction to International Relations
• Skills and Concepts in Geography I: Becoming a Geographer
• The Rise of the Modern International Order
• Classical Thinkers and Current Events
• Geographies of Cities and Mobilities
• Skills and Concepts in Geography II: Quantitative and Analytical Skills
• The Short Twentieth Century and Beyond

Year 2:

• Core Modules:
• Contemporary International Theory
• Global Geographies of Economic Change
• Introduction to International Political Economy
• Understanding Global Migration
• Optional Modules:
• Black Lives Matter: Postcolonial and Decolonial Representations
• Development and the State
• Environmental Perspectives on Development
• Geography Overseas Field Class
• Postcolonial Africa
• Security and Insecurity in Global Politics
• Social Geographies
• Southeast England Field Class
• The Liberal World Order - in Crisis
• The Politics of Foreign Policy
• The Rise and Fall of Neoliberalism

Year 3:

• Optional Modules:
• Advanced Sustainable Development: Sustainability in Policy and Practice
• Cultures of Colonialism
• Disasters, Environment and Development
• Disease, Diplomacy and Development
• East Asia Rising: Beyond the American Century?
• Environment and Development in World Politics
• Environmental Protest: Past and Present
• Finance and Power
• Geographies of Money, Finance, and Debt
• Geographies of Rising and Declining Powers
• Policing Racial Capitalism
• Refugees, Migrants and Religion
• Religions in Global Politics
• The Politics of Armed Groups: Rebels, State and Society
• What is War
• Class, Community, Nation
• Decolonial Movements
• From Bombs to Algorithms: Science, Technologies, and Global Insecurity
• Global Politics of Food
• Global Resistance: Contesting Capital and Coloniality
• Humanitarianism in Theory and Practice
• International Relations of the Modern Middle East
• Politics of Terror and Global Histories of Violence
• Putin, Power, Populism: Russia and Eurasia in Global Politics
• Race, Gender and Global Capitalism

Teaching:

The program emphasizes a combination of traditional teaching methods and real-world experiences. Students will engage in lectures, seminars, and workshops, facilitated by experienced faculty members who are actively involved in research and global debates. The program also incorporates field trips, international placements, and interactions with industry speakers to provide practical learning opportunities.

Careers:

The Geography and International Relations BA (Hons) equips students with a diverse skillset, making them suitable for a wide range of careers in various sectors. Potential career paths include:

• Civil service and government
• International development and environmental conservation
• Media and journalism
The program provides support through the university's careers and employability center, offering specialist careers events and workshops to aid students in their career development.

Other:

The program offers optional study abroad opportunities, allowing students to gain an international perspective and enhance their employability. Students can also apply for optional placements to gain practical experience in their chosen field. The program also highlights the importance of fieldwork, with students participating in field trips from the start of their studies. These trips provide opportunities to develop research, analytical, and teamwork skills in regions where the university's academics actively conduct research.