Bachelor of Arts Honours in Geography
Human and Social Studies - General Social Science
Purpose and Rationale
Bachelor of Arts Honours in Geography
Purpose:
The main purpose of the Bachelor of Arts Honours in Geography is to prepare learners for research-based postgraduate studies in geography. The qualification provides learners with a sound understanding of the research process and the philosophical foundations necessary to understand how geographical knowledge is created. It also offers an opportunity to conduct geographical research under supervision. Qualifying learners will be equipped to apply advanced geographical theories and methodologies to address environmental problems of social, economic, and physical nature. The qualification aims to provide learners with theoretical, analytical, and practical knowledge in geography to facilitate professional and academic growth in various fields such as Environmental Consulting, Meteorology, Conservation, Tourism, City Planning, City or Town Management, and Mapping. It also seeks to empower learners to make valuable contributions to industry and society.
Rationale:
The qualification is designed to address pressing social and ecological challenges, such as urbanization, sustainability, environmental management, climate change, and human impact on the world, which are inherently geographical in nature. Geographers are highly sought after in a wide range of employment sectors, given their developed world view, diverse research skills, and comprehensive content expertise. Additionally, the qualification serves as a pathway to further postgraduate research studies, with many learners expected to pursue Master's and Doctoral studies to contribute to research-based solutions relevant to society, particularly within the local context. The modules are carefully selected to meet sector needs, covering research training, essential geographic techniques, and contemporary issues in human and physical geography. Learners will typically fall into three categories: those seeking to enhance their geographical knowledge for employment, those aspiring to pursue postgraduate research in geography, and those aiming for academic careers. Graduates will be prepared to advance to Masters and Doctoral qualifications, enabling them to contribute to various fields like National and Provincial Government, Environmental Consulting, Protected Areas Management, Soil analysis, Water management, Tourism, City Planning, City/Town Management, and Mapping. Graduates will have the flexibility to work independently, as consultants, or as salaried employees in companies or government organizations.
Outcomes
- Demonstrate an advanced and current understanding of the general principles, theories and methodological approaches underpinning the scientific study of geography.
- Demonstrate critical insight into the nature and causes of change within the human and physical environments and the complexity of the reciprocal relationships between the physical and human environments.
- Demonstrate critical insight into the significance of spatial and temporal relationships as influences on physical and human environments.
- Appraise the diversity of approaches to the generation of knowledge and understanding deriving from the experience of the epistemologies of the natural and social sciences and humanities, including indigenous knowledge systems (IKS).
- Undertake independent and original research in Geography including identifying a research problem, collecting data, analysing the data, completing the research and preparing the final research report.
- Appraise and reflect on the use of the diversity of techniques and approaches involved in collecting geographical information (including instrumentation, remote sensing, cartographic surveying, Environmental Impact Assessment, social survey, observation and the use of textual and archival approaches).
- Master techniques and approaches involved in analysing geographic information, including remote sensing, geographic information systems (GIS) techniques, qualitative and quantitative techniques with a critical assessment of their strengths and weaknesses.
- Demonstrate an advanced understanding of professional ethics in geography and identify and apply ethical rules and conduct in practice within a South African context.
- Access information from a diverse range of sources to address a range of familiar and unfamiliar complex geographical problems and issues, evaluate the sources and the information, and prepare a logical response or a solution for the problem.
- Communicate and share conclusions and views, and the geographical knowledge and rationale underpinning these, to specialist and non-specialist audiences clearly and unambiguously.
- Apply knowledge and understanding of geographical principles, practices and methodologies, and problem-solving abilities in complex urban and natural environmental systems.
- Undertake highly autonomous and well-organised learning and time management to achieve consistent proficiency and sustained achievement.
- Work in a group as a member or leader and take full responsibility for own work, and, where appropriate, that of fellow learners, as well as accountability for own actions and where necessary, those of fellow learners.
- Reflect on the process of learning, evaluating personal strengths and weaknesses and alternative strategies.
Assessment Criteria
Integrated Assessment Criteria
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Full Understanding of Geography Theories and Practices:
- Demonstrated through assignments, research reports, and examinations.
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Nature and Causes of Change in Human Environments:
- In-depth discussion of the nature and causes of change in human environments.
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Relationship Between Human and Physical Environments:
- Discussing the complex relationships between human and physical environments.
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Spatial Variation and Change:
- Detailed appreciation of spatial variation and change in written and oral submissions.
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Temporal Variation and Change:
- Understanding temporal variation and change.
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Importance of Spatial and Temporal Scale:
- Full understanding of the importance of spatial and temporal scale for natural and human processes.
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Critical Awareness of Relevant Philosophies:
- Demonstrating a critical awareness of relevant philosophies.
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Integration of Perspectives from Different Disciplines:
- Bringing together perspectives from different disciplines and IKS, managing creative tensions.
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Independent Geographical Research:
- Undertaking independent geographical research from conceptualization to research report.
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Remote Sensing and GIS Techniques:
- Selecting and applying appropriate remote sensing and GIS techniques.
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Approaches to Data Analysis:
- Reflecting on appropriate approaches to data analysis.
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Ethical Issues in Geography:
- Identifying ethical issues in Geography and addressing them appropriately.
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Communication Skills:
- Communicating ideas, conclusions, and opinions clearly and unambiguously to professional and other audiences.
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Academic Language and Writing Style:
- Using appropriate academic language and adhering to norms for scientific writing in Geography.
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Systems Thinking Approach:
- Applying a systems thinking approach to understand issues and develop solutions.
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Systems Framework:
- Applying a systems framework to conceptualize patterns, processes, interactions, and change in the physical world.
Formative Assessment
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Feedback and Improvement:
- Providing a minimum of four formative assessment activities per module with comprehensive feedback to help learners improve.
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Developmental Approach:
- Tasks closely aligned with learning outcomes to empower learners in the assessment process.
Summative Assessment
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Assessment of Learning:
- Assessing the achievement of outcomes in theory modules through a single formal examination at the end of each module.
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Research Paper and Methodology Assessment:
- Formative and summative assessment in research-related modules without a final exam, integrating learning and assessment through a research project.
Qualification Details
- Type
- Honours Degree
- NQF Level
- 08
- Min. Credits
- 120
- SAQA Source
- More Information
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