GEO502
 Level -
5
 Credit Points
- 12
 Pre-Requisite - GEO401 or
Form 7 Pass
 Timetabled Hours – 120
 Self Directed Learning – 72
hrs
 Total hours - 192 hrs
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It examines the cultural elements of geography.
It focuses on the way the world varies from place to place,
and describe humankind’s complex spatial relationship with
the natural environment (how we occupy and use it and how
we change it).
It introduces the basic principles of Human Geography, and
provides a context in which to understand lands and people
other than ourselves.
This course will encourage students to find that there is a
‘geographical’ way to see people, places, and events, and it
differs from the way a sociologist, an economist, or a political
scientist, for example, might view the same phenomena.
By understanding the concepts of Human Geography, one will
be able to influence the way people view the universe and
humanity.
Analysis and interpretation of data are very important in
geography. Practicals based on socio-economic data will form
an important part of this unit
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explain how Human Geography helps in understand the
world;
demonstrate an understanding of maps and spatial data
and relate the key geographic concepts to explain
contemporary issues affecting our societies;
evaluate and inter-relate environmental issues with human
activities and see how they are connected to socioeconomic, cultural, and political issues;
identify the ‘appropriate’ strategies to address the nature
of environment-human interactions;
understand the importance of non-government
organizations and the work they carry out in their
countries;
evaluate the inter-relationship between rural and urban
areas and their importance to Human Geography; and
identify future directions in Human Geography.
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Introduction to the course, requirements
from students and the lecturer and
dissemination of unit handouts.
Introduction to Human Geography concepts
of human geography (environmentalism,
determinism,
possibilism
and
neodeterminism)
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Practical - representation of geographical
data (graphical representation -bar diagram,
frequency polygon, frequency curve, water
balance graph, hythergraph, climograph and
Cartographic representation, distribution
maps: isopleth, choropleth, piegraph,
cartogram traffic flow diagram, and
isochronic cartogram) and GIS
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Man and environment relationship - human
geography and other social sciences,
essential facts of human geography (Brunhes
and
Huntington),
and
major
human
agglomerations (case studies)
Evolution of man - race of mankindclassification, distribution & characteristics,
and human adaptation to environment (case
study- Fiji)
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Geography of culture- local and popular
cultures, cultural diffusion, cultural
landscapes, ethnicity, gender, and sexuality
Migration- Types of Migration, Theories of
Migration, international human migration:
causes and impacts in past, and present
times
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Population resource relationship - resource
utilization- forest, water, soil, fish, minerals
and energy, environmental and cultural
constraints in resource utilization, and
conservation of resources
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Industry, transport and communication history of the industrial revolution, location
theories, location and nature of industries,
effects, and solutions, transport and
communication networks, communication
revolution.
Case studies
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Settlement geography: urban and rural, cities
and city life - nature of human settlement,
characteristics of rural and urban areas and
their importance, and hearths of urban areas
Unit conclusion, discussion of exam and
revision tips. Complete evaluation forms.
Formative Assessment:
 Coursework :
1. Test
- 15%
2. Presentation - 15%
3. Tutorial activities
- 5%
4. Workshop participation
- 10%
5. Attendance
- 5%
6. Final Examination
- 50%
*Attendance is compulsory as this course is
conducted on summester mode. Failure to meet
minimum attendance requirement will denote an
automatic fail as you will not have fulfilled
course requirements.
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To pass this unit,
a student needs to enroll on time
Pass a minimum of 50 out of 100 or score
25% out of 50% in final exam
Attend ALL classes
Score a minimum mark of 40 out of 100 or
20% out of 50% in coursework
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meet all of the assessment requirements for
the unit on time (i.e. two weeks before the
exam week).
Marking criteria and guidelines for each
assessment item will be discussed during
tutorials
Mark
Grade
90-100
A+
80-89
A
75-79
B+
65-74
B
60-64
C+
50-59
C
40-49
D
Below 40
E
Withdraw from Unit
W
Credit Transfer
CT
Did Not Complete
DNC
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De Blij, H. J., Alexander, B., Fouberg, M. and
Fouberg, E. 2007. Human Geography: People,
Place and Culture: 8th Edition. New York, John
Wiley & Sons.
Singh, R.L. and Singh, R. P.B. 2008. Elements
of Practical Geography (English Edition),
Kalyani Publishers, New Delhi.
Students are encouraged to consult the following:
 Dahlman C, Renwick W.H & Bergman E.,
Introduction to Geography: People, Place &
Environment, 5th edition, Pearson, CR910 DAL
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The Dictionary of Human Geography- Gregory,
Johnston, Pratt, Watts & Whatmore
the internet
daily newspapers
National Geographic magazines and
relevant journal articles (including online
sources)
TEACHING STRATEGIES: The lecturer will use
the following modes to teach the course.
They are:
 lectures
 tutorial exercises including activities and task
sheets
 handouts
 group work
 Discussion
 Video viewing and analysis
Students are encouraged to:
 attend
classes regularly and participate in
discussion. Those that are not punctual and
regular in their attendance may later discover
that they have not done well in the overall
course;
 work independently as well as co-operatively;
 apply the skills of critical analysis;
 actively participate in group and class activities;
and
 participate in fieldwork and develop learning
experience.
STUDENTS WITH ‘SPECIAL’ NEEDS
 Students with special needs have to see the
coordinator/lecturer at the beginning of the
Trimester.
PROGRAMME REGULATIONS
 Students’
attention is drawn to the FNU’s
regulations covering such matters as aegrotats,
reconsideration of assessments, withdrawals,
appeals and discipline. The full General Academic
Statute and Program regulations are published and
available upon request. The important sections are
summarized below.
Aegrotats
 When reasons of personal illness or injury, a
student is unable to complete an assessment then
they may apply for an aegrotat pass. Students have
7 days to lodge their aegrotat application and it
must be lodged using the FNU aegrotat form.
Withdrawals
 A student may withdraw from a unit or
course by written notice to the Head of
School. In order to record a withdrawal
on a student academic record the
written notice must be received before
the end of week two.
Reconsideration of Assessment
 If a student believes that any piece of assessment has
been unfairly marked, he/she can request that the
assignment be remarked. The application shall be in
writing and shall specify the reasons for the
application. The grade may be unchanged, raised or
lowered following reconsideration
Appeals
 A student may appeal their final grade.
Appeals must be in writing to the Head of
School giving reason for the appeal. Students
have 7 days from the posting of the results to
lodge an appeal. The appeal is heard by the
Academic Appeals Committee.
Discipline
 Breaches
of the university’s regulations
including plagiarism are viewed seriously and
can lead to expulsion from the university