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Undergraduate Programme Specification

BSc Geography with a Language

Academic Year 2021/22

A programme specification is required for any programme on which a student may be registered. All programmes of the University are subject to the University's Quality Assurance processes. All degrees are awarded by Queen's University Belfast.

Programme Title BSc Geography with a Language Final Award
(exit route if applicable for Postgraduate Taught Programmes)
Bachelor of Science
Programme Code GEO-BSC-LN UCAS Code F8RX HECoS Code 100329 - Modern languages - 16
100409 - Geography - 84
ATAS Clearance Required No
Mode of Study Full Time
Type of Programme Single Honours Length of Programme Full Time - 4 Academic Year(s) Total Credits for Programme 480
Exit Awards available

Institute Information

Teaching Institution

Queen's University Belfast

School/Department

Natural and Built Environment

Quality Code
https://www.qaa.ac.uk/quality-code

Higher Education Credit Framework for England
https://www.qaa.ac.uk/quality-code/higher-education-credit-framework-for-england

Level 6

Subject Benchmark Statements
https://www.qaa.ac.uk/quality-code/subject-benchmark-statements

The Frameworks for Higher Education Qualifications of UK Degree-Awarding Bodies
https://www.qaa.ac.uk/docs/qaa/quality-code/qualifications-frameworks.pdf

Geography (2014)

Accreditations (PSRB)

Regulation Information

Does the Programme have any approved exemptions from the University General Regulations
(Please see General Regulations)

Yes. Stage 2 is weighted at 20% rather than 30% because the year abroad is weighted at 10%.

Programme Specific Regulations

Students must complete an academic year of studies at a European university taking modules in Geography delivered in the chosen language.

Students with protected characteristics

N/A

Are students subject to Fitness to Practise Regulations

(Please see General Regulations)

No

Educational Aims Of Programme

The overall aim of the programme is to offer a high quality, supportive teaching and learning environment that gives students the opportunities to develop intellectual, practical and foreign language skills through an understanding of physical and human environments and through analysing and interpreting geographical data and knowledge. The programme aims to prepare students to move beyond their degree, be that to employment or further study, and to enhance their understanding of Europe. It encourages them to contribute to the wider community by applying their geographical knowledge and understanding and practical experience of different cultures and environments.

Learning Outcomes

Learning Outcomes: Cognitive Skills

On the completion of this course successful students will be able to:

Assess contrasting ideas, explanations and policies

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Lectures, tutorials

Methods of Assessment

Exams, coursework assessment

Communicate geographical material by written, oral and visual means

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Lectures, coursework, supervised research, experiential learning

Methods of Assessment

Exams, coursework assessment

Critically interpret and evaluate data and texts

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Workshops, supervised research, experiential learning

Methods of Assessment

Coursework assessment, dissertation

Abstract and synthesize information

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Coursework

Methods of Assessment

Coursework assessment

Develop a reasoned argument

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Lectures, tutorials

Methods of Assessment

Exams, coursework assessment

Undertake independent study and engage in reflective learning

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Coursework, supervised research, experiential learning

Methods of Assessment

Coursework assessment including dissertations

Perform assigned tasks within a group setting

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Fieldwork, workshops

Methods of Assessment

Coursework and fieldwork assessments

Be better at their chosen language

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Lectures etc, practice, experiential learning

Methods of Assessment

Various, dependent upon partner university

Learning Outcomes: Knowledge & Understanding

On the completion of this course successful students will be able to:

Appreciate the theory and practice of geographical enquiry

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Lectures, tutorials, supervised research

Methods of Assessment

Exams, coursework assessment

Understand and interpret contemporary geography

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Lectures, tutorials

Methods of Assessment

Exams, coursework assessment

Interpret environments and environmental change

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Lectures, fieldwork, experiential learning

Methods of Assessment

Exams, assessed fieldwork

Understand and utilise GIS

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Lectures, coursework, experiential learning

Methods of Assessment

Exams, coursework assessment

Understand landforms, physical processes, landscape representation and interpretation within physical geography

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Lectures, fieldwork, experiential learning

Methods of Assessment

Exams, assessed fieldwork, coursework assessment

Understand major issues and debates in human geography

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Lectures, tutorials

Methods of Assessment

Exams, coursework assessment

Understand socially constructed ways of representing and interpreting the world

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Lectures, tutorials

Methods of Assessment

Exams, coursework and fieldwork assessment

Appreciate the significance of temporal change

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Lectures, tutorials

Methods of Assessment

Exams, coursework assessment

Carry out routine investigations

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Workshops, fieldwork

Methods of Assessment

Coursework and fieldwork assessment

Improve their knowledge & understanding of a foreign country and culture

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Lectures etc including experiential learning

Methods of Assessment

Various, dependent upon partner university

Learning Outcomes: Subject Specific

On the completion of this course successful students will be able to:

Geographical methodologies and data collection (through fieldwork, instrumentation, maps, digital data and imagery, textual and archival sources and written records, social surveys, observation, GIS)

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Lectures, workshops, fieldwork

Methods of Assessment

Exams, assessed fieldwork, coursework assessment

Representation of geographical data (maps, GIS, remote sensing, statistics)

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Workshops, supervised research

Methods of Assessment

Coursework assessment, dissertation

Field techniques for data collection

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Fieldwork

Methods of Assessment

Assessed fieldwork

Laboratory skills for data collection and analysis

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Workshops, supervised research

Methods of Assessment

Coursework assessment, dissertation

Ethics and values; integrity and inequalities

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Lectures, tutorials, supervised research

Methods of Assessment

Supervised research

Environments being affected by physical processes and human activity

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Lectures, tutorials

Methods of Assessment

Exams, assessed fieldwork, coursework assessment

Spatial awareness including the significance of scale

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Lectures, tutorials

Methods of Assessment

Exams, coursework assessment

Communication skills: oral, numerate, literate, graphical and visual

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Coursework, fieldwork, experiential learning

Methods of Assessment

Exams, assessed fieldwork, coursework assessment

Problem solving

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Workshops, coursework, supervised research, experiential learning

Methods of Assessment

Exams, assessed fieldwork, coursework assessment

Research design

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Supervised research

Methods of Assessment

Dissertation

French or Spanish language

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Lectures, practice, experiential learning

Methods of Assessment

Various, dependent upon partner university

Learning Outcomes: Transferable Skills

On the completion of this course successful students will be able to:

Decision making and decision taking

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Supervised research, fieldwork, experiential learning

Methods of Assessment

Dissertation, assessed fieldwork

Team work and group interaction

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Fieldwork, workshops, tutorials

Methods of Assessment

Assessed presentations

Independent thought and self-reflection

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Essays, fieldwork, supervised research

Methods of Assessment

Dissertation, field notebooks

Time management

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Groupwork, fieldwork, experiential learning

Methods of Assessment

Exams, assessed fieldwork

Planning, designing, executing independent research & study

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Supervised research

Methods of Assessment

Dissertation

Field techniques

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Fieldwork

Methods of Assessment

Assessed fieldwork

Recognising moral and ethical issues

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Lectures, tutorials, supervised research

Methods of Assessment

Exams, dissertation

Presenting and communicating data (graphicacy, numeracy, oral, written work)

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Essays, coursework, tutorials, fieldwork

Methods of Assessment

Exams, fieldwork, dissertation

Collecting geographical information

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Fieldwork, workshops

Methods of Assessment

Coursework and fieldwork assessment

Quantitative and qualitative approaches to analysis

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Lectures, coursework

Methods of Assessment

Exams, coursework assessment

Foreign language skills

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Lectures etc, practice, experiential learning

Methods of Assessment

Various, dependent upon partner university

Module Information

Stages and Modules

Module Title Module Code Level/ stage Credits

Availability

Duration Pre-requisite

Assessment

S1 S2 Core Option Coursework % Practical % Examination %
Physical Geography: Earth, Fire and Ice GGY1007 1 20 YES 12 weeks N YES 100% 0% 0%
Spanish 1 SPA1101 1 40 YES YES 24 weeks N YES 45% 20% 35%
French 1 FRH1101 1 40 YES YES 24 weeks N YES 45% 20% 35%
Physical Geography: Earth, Wind and Water GGY1009 1 20 YES 12 weeks N YES 50% 0% 50%
Human Geography: Society, Power and Culture GGY1011 1 20 YES 12 weeks N YES 100% 0% 0%
Human Geography: Society, Economy and Population GGY1012 1 20 YES 12 weeks N YES 100% 0% 0%
Palaeoenvironmental Techniques ARP2051 2 20 YES 12 weeks N YES 100% 0% 0%
Spanish 2 SPA2101 2 40 YES YES 24 weeks Y YES 45% 20% 35%
French 2 FRH2101 2 40 YES YES 24 weeks Y YES 45% 20% 35%
Landscapes and Geographical Information (GIS) GGY2002 2 20 YES 12 weeks N YES 100% 0% 0%
Geographical Research Skills GGY2055 2 20 YES 12 weeks N YES 100% 0% 0%
Contemporary Approaches to Geographical Enquiry GGY2056 2 20 YES 12 weeks N YES 100% 0% 0%
Geographies of Economic Restructuring and Social Change GGY2044 2 20 YES 12 weeks N YES 70% 30% 0%
Geomorphology GGY2052 2 20 YES 12 weeks N YES 100% 0% 0%
Cultural and Political Geography GGY2054 2 20 YES 12 weeks N YES 100% 0% 0%
Introduction to Environmental Economics BIO2204 2 20 YES 12 weeks N YES 30% 0% 70%
Global Environmental Change GGY2058 2 20 YES 12 weeks N YES 100% 0% 0%
Marine Systems BIO2108 2 20 YES 12 weeks N YES 65% 0% 35%
Geography and Employability GGY2059 2 0 YES YES 12 weeks N YES 100% 0% 0%
Remaking Cities: Comparative Research Project GGY2060 2 20 YES 12 weeks N YES 100% 0% 0%
Exploring Dynamic Environments (Mallorca) GGY2061 2 20 YES 12 weeks N YES 85% 15% 0%
Managing Environmental Issues (Belgium) GGY2062 2 20 YES 12 weeks N YES 60% 40% 0%
Space, Culture and Mobility (Malta) GGY2063 2 20 YES 12 weeks N YES 50% 50% 0%
Eras SGAP Full Year GAP2999 3 120 YES YES 24 weeks N YES 100% 0% 0%
Conservation of the Built Environment 3 EVP3004 4 20 YES 12 weeks N YES 100% 0% 0%
Sea-level change: past, present and future GGY3035 4 20 YES 12 weeks N YES 40% 0% 60%
Geoforensics GGY3049 4 20 YES 12 weeks N YES 100% 0% 0%
Society, Death and Disease ARP3053 4 20 YES 12 weeks N YES 0% 70% 30%
Geography Dissertation GGY3081 4 40 YES YES 24 weeks Y YES 100% 0% 0%
Geography At Work GGY3065 4 40 YES YES 24 weeks Y YES 85% 15% 0%
Geography, Science and Society GGY3066 4 20 YES 12 weeks N YES 100% 0% 0%
Spaces of Urbanisation in Emerging Economies and Sustainable Development GGY3063 4 20 YES 12 weeks N YES 100% 0% 0%
Geographies of contested territories GGY3074 4 20 YES 12 weeks N YES 100% 0% 0%
Kingship and Religion in the First Millennium AD ARP3085 4 20 YES 12 weeks N YES 90% 10% 0%
Geographical Independent Research Essay GGY3083 4 20 YES YES 12 weeks Y YES 100% 0% 0%
Advanced Geographical Information Systems GGY3060 4 20 YES 12 weeks N YES 100% 0% 0%
Climate Change GGY3073 4 20 YES 12 weeks N YES 100% 0% 0%
Environmental Geopolitics GGY3084 4 20 YES 12 weeks N YES 60% 40% 0%
Policies for Environmental Sustainability BIO3109 4 20 YES 12 weeks N YES 30% 20% 50%
Human-Environment Dynamics in the Holocene ARP3086 4 20 YES 12 weeks N YES 30% 30% 40%
Maps and Mappings GGY3090 4 20 YES 12 weeks N YES 100% 0% 0%
Environmental Catastrophes GGY3095 4 20 YES 12 weeks N YES 100% 0% 0%
Health Geography GGY3096 4 20 YES 12 weeks N YES 100% 0% 0%

Notes

SPA1101 pre-req: A-Level Spanish FRH1101 pre-req: A-Level French

SPA2101 pre-req: SPA1101 FRH2101 pre-req: FRH1101

Students select either French or Spanish as chosen language within this programme and will take year’s placement studying Geography at a partner institution between Level 2 and Level 3 in either France or Spain respectively GGY3083: This module is not a standard option but is provided in the Geography (BSc) programme: (i) to accommodate students on Erasmus placements at L3 and (ii) to provide an alternative to the double-weighted Dissertation (GGY3081) or GGY3065 Geography at Work module as advised by supervisor. The year’s placement at a University in either Spain or France counts for 10% of the degree programme. Students should be required to take a minimum equivalency of 60 QUB credits worth of Geography modules (30 ECTS) in the host language across the academic year. The GPA attained across these modules will count towards 50% of the available marks for the Study Abroad year. The remaining 50% of marks will be determined as follows: 10% Learning journal; and 40% End of placement reflective report. The Learning journal (10%), shall be comprised of 3 reports submitted digitally in October, January and March of the year of residence. The reports should reflect on the student's experience of studying and living in a foreign country, during the extended period of residence abroad. Each report will be of 500 words: the first in English; and the last two in the target language. They will be equally weighted within the marks available. The End-of-placement report (40%) should be submitted before enrolment into Level 3. It will be between 2000 and 3000 words in length and written in the target language. It should demonstrate that the student: has developed an awareness and understanding of the structures and ethos of a Higher Education Institution in a foreign country and is able to draw comparisons with the UK; has gained an enhanced understanding of the culture and society of the foreign country through the experience of living and studying there and is able to be draw comparisons with the UK; and is able to reflect critically on his or her own culture and society. GGY3065 and GGY3081: One of these modules must be taken but both cannot be taken. Level 2: Students may take only one optional module out of GGY2061, GGY2062 and GGY2063. These are field-based modules, and as such only one may be taken. Levels 2 and 3: One other module (20 units) can be taken instead of a geography optional module in one of these years, but not both.