Geography

Specialisation overview

Explore the varied dimensions of social, economic and political change in an environmentally stressed world.

This specialisation covers topics including global food security, migration, human geography and adaptation to hazards. A range of topics will be examined through case studies from Australia, its region and worldwide.

You’ll gain insight into the global food situation and the challenge to increase food production, given the contexts of population growth and increased competition over access to resources.

You’ll learn about the history of migration, spatial patterns of migration in Australia, settler colonial migration, international migration, the globalisation of labour markets, the complex ethical, economic and security concerns emanating from migration, skilled migration, population ageing, and rural to urban (and urban to rural) migration.

You’ll also be introduced to human geography at the local-global scale, focusing on the key concepts of place, space and globalisation.

The concepts of risk, vulnerability and adaptation to select hazards are examined at the global, regional and local scale. The spatial distribution, severity of hazard impacts and strategies to minimise vulnerability are examined in the context of climate change, sustainable development, public policy and the vulnerability of communities in both developing and developed countries.

Humanities specialisations, like this one, can give a useful balance to a course from business, law, science, engineering or health disciplines. Learn more about specialisations.

Detailed course structure and unit information

For detailed information on units and course structure, visit our Handbook.