INTRODUCING HGP - HUMAN GEOGRAPHY AND PLANNING
With the launch of our new planning program in Fall 2012, there will be a number of changes for human geography.
First, both human geography and planning courses will have a unique course identifier: HGP. This will replace the old EAS X9X identifier for human geography courses.
Second, course numbers will also change (although their names will stay the same).
For the purpose of fulfilling current students' degree requirements, both EAS X9X and HGP courses will count as human geography courses. So for example the EAS 294 requirement can be fulfilled using either EAS 294 or HGP 250.
Here is the translation table - also available on Beartracks and in the University calendar.
WHAT IS HUMAN GEOGRAPHY?
Human geography is a branch of social science that focuses on the relationships between human societies and the built and natural environments in which they operate. Human geographers believe hat understanding these relationships requires being attentive to the location, space and scale of social phenomena. A contextual approach is often adopted, in which academic theories are applied, developed and modified in light of 'real world' issues and challenges. In other words, 'thinking spatially' can involve synthesizing the theoretical and the practical. Human geography graduates often have easy transitions into the workforce because they have been introduced to actual case studies and problem-solving approaches throughout their degrees.
Human geographers, like other social scientists, seek to collect high-quality data about individuals, institutions, and communities, and analyze that data in order to improve their understanding of societies, and the issues and challenges they face. This approach allows a great diversity of issues and processes to be investigated. Read more...
What skills do human geographers develop?
In addition to building a strong knowledge of the relationship between society and space, students in human geography have the opportunity to develop a strong skill-set to make them highly attractive to employers. This includes:
- Qualitative and quantitative research skills
- Professional and academic writing skills
- Analytical skills in geospatial computer techniques (i.e., GIS)
- Community consultation skills
- Ability to work in an interdisciplinary manner
- Public presentation skills
- Professional and academic writing skills
So, what do human geographers do once they graduate?
Human geography can be the gateway to a range of careers that are personally and financially rewarding. Many of these careers have direct outcomes for people. Imagine walking down Whyte Ave and thinking “I helped make this neighbourhood the exciting and vibrant community that it is today” or seeing thousands of homes saved from a massive wildfire and knowing that a community outreach program that you worked on helped homeowners develop wildfire resilient landscapes. Imagine helping to draft the next major environmental regulation that protects an endangered species, or being on a board that revolutionizes Edmonton's public transit system to improve it for future generations. Imagine helping to provide villages across southern Africa with schools, or being part of a community eco-tourism initiative in the South Pacific. These are just a few of the many things that human geographers can do
As a result of the diversity of jobs in the social sciences, few people have job titles such as ‘Geographer’ or ‘Sociologist’. Instead people have job titles such as Project Manager, Information Specialist, Trail Planner, Research Analyst, Regional Director, Political Advisor, Sustainability Coordinator, Community Development Officer, Coordinator, International Trade Consultant, Policy Development Officer, GIS analyst, Consultant, Environmental Assessment Agent, and so on. Read more...
Major and Minor in Human Geography
The Department of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences (Faculty of Science) offers both a BA major and minor in Human Geography, as well as an Arts minor for the BSc General Program.
Major in Human Geography
Students planning to proceed to graduate programs in Geography or professional programs in planning should consult the BA program advisor in the Department of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences with respect to the choice of their minor.
A major in Human Geography requires a minimum of *30 to a maximum of *48 at the senior level in EAS courses and cross-listed courses specified below.
These must include at least *6 in EAS Human Geography courses at the 400 level. Earth and Atmospheric Sciences Human Geography courses are those denoted by a second digit of 9 in the course number, e.g. EAS X9X. Other EAS courses that are not Human Geography courses may also be taken as part of the major and will be included in the minimum and maximum but at least *18 of the required minimum of *30 must be in Human geography.
The following courses are required:EAS 100, 192, 221, and 294.
Notes:- Cross-listed courses in the Faculty of Arts that may be counted toward the major in Human Geography: ANTHR 323; PHIL 355; POL S 432; SOC 251. See section 43.3(5) for Faculty of Arts regulations pertaining to cross-listed courses.
- Students may take EAS courses other than those listed as Arts courses for credit towards the degree, providing that a majority of the units of course weight in EAS are for Arts courses (i.e. courses designated as EAS X9X).
- Students who major in Human Geography may not choose Earth and Atmospheric Sciences as their minor.
Minor in Human Geography
A minor in Human Geography requires a minimum of *12 and a maximum of *42 at the senior level in EAS Human Geography courses, including at least *6 at the 300 or 400 level. Human Geography courses are currently denoted by a second digit of 9 in the course number, e.g. EAS X9X.