All Geography modules are offered fully online, and all study materials are available online. Therefore, students registering for any Geography module are required to have regular access to a computer and internet in order to download and read essential study material from the myUnisa module site and the World Wide Web. All modules require a level of compulsory online learning activities and group work. For some modules, the ability to download and watch video clips or recordings on the internet (i.e. via Youtube or myUnisa site) is required as part of the learning experience.
Major combinations:
NQF Level 5: GGH1501, GGH1502, GGH1503 (BSc major students must complete all three modules, while BA major students must complete ONLY: GGH1501 and GGH1502).
NQF Level 6: Select any FOUR of GGH2601, GGH2602, GGH2603, GGH2604, GGH2605, GGH2606, GGH2607 or GGH2608.
NQF Level 7: Select any FIVE of GGH3701, GGH3702, GGH3703, GGH3704, GGH3705, GGH3707 or GGH3708, GGH3710 or GGH3711.
Note: the Inclusion of GGH2607 as part of the major combination will automatically lead to the exclusion of GGH3703 and vice versa.)
Major combinations: Honours level
NQF Level 8: HRGGH82, GGH4802, GGH4804 and GGH4805.
| World Issues: A Geographical Perspective - GGH1502 |
| Under Graduate Degree |
Semester module |
NQF level: 5 |
Credits: 12 |
| Module presented in English |
Module presented online |
| Purpose: of this module is to equip students on an introductory level with the required knowledge and skills which will enable them to identify the causes, impacts, and possible solutions of human and environmental problems. Students will be exposed to different perspectives/views on environmental issues with emphasis on the African context. Although the scope is global; where applicable, particular attention is given on how these impacts manifest in both Africa and South Africa. Students will also be introduced to some of the skills, techniques, and aids that geographers use to analyse the environment and environmental problems. |
| Our Living Earth - GGH1503 |
| Under Graduate Degree |
Semester module |
NQF level: 5 |
Credits: 12 |
| Module presented in English |
Module presented online |
| Purpose: of this module will provide students with sufficient scientific knowledge, skills and attitudes to enable them to identify and explain various processes associated with the physical environment. These are applied to global, regional and local scales within the context of human activities and sustainability through the use of case studies and geographic tools. Students will furthermore be able to use this acquired knowledge and skills to identify various measures that can be taken to address environmental degradation on global, regional and local scales, with a special interest in contexts of the Global South and Africa. |
| The African Challenge: People and Environment - GGH2601 |
| Under Graduate Degree |
Semester module |
NQF level: 6 |
Credits: 12 |
| Module presented in English |
Module presented online |
| Purpose: The purpose of this module focuses on the human and environmental challenges that Africa is currently facing. The purpose of the module is to empower students to approach the current human-environmental challenges confronting Africa from a multi-disciplinary geographical perspective. After completion of the module students will be able to formulate a critical view on continental and regional situations, occurrences, processes, patterns, and future scenarios in relation to the human-environment context of Africa. |
| The Geography of Services Provision - GGH2602 |
| Under Graduate Degree |
Semester module |
NQF level: 6 |
Credits: 12 |
| Module presented in English |
|
| Purpose: The provision of services has become an enormous challenge, as the growing needs of people need to be accommodated within the context of limited resources. The purpose of this module is to show students how the geographical perspective can contribute to the dealing with the challenges we are facing regarding complex real-world problems, especially related to services provision which often have to be met within a context of limited resources. Students completing this module should thefore have the required knowledge and skills to apply a geographical perspective on basic services provision, be able to geographically evaluate basic services provision and finally apply geographical methods to the analysis of patterns in the basic services provision. |
| The Interpretation of Maps, Aerial Photographs and Satellite Images - GGH2603 |
| Under Graduate Degree |
Semester module |
NQF level: 6 |
Credits: 12 |
| Module presented in English |
Module presented online |
| Purpose: The nature of geographical data; map types; map elements; fundamentals of the use of aerial photographs
and satellite images; measurements on maps and aerial photographs; the analysis of point, line and area patterns; the identification and interpretation of topographical features, landscapes and cultural phenomena; thematic mapping; the basics of Geographical Information Systems (GIS).
|
| People and the Environment - GGH2604 |
| Under Graduate Degree |
Semester module |
NQF level: 6 |
Credits: 12 |
| Module presented in English |
Module presented online |
| Purpose: The purpose of this module introduces students to the complex interrelationships between the human and the physical environment and how they affect each other on global, regional and local scales. This will be pesened through the lens of the African philosophy of onenessand the use of case studies. In addition, students will explore measures that can be taken to reduce environmental degradation. |
| Environmental Politics - GGH2605 |
| Under Graduate Degree |
Semester module |
NQF level: 6 |
Credits: 12 |
| Module presented in English |
Module presented online |
| Purpose: The purpose of this module is to help you gain an understanding of political perspectives relating to environmental matters, the issues derived from these perspectives, and the movements, organizations, and policies involved in environmental matters. |
| Sustainable tourism in a geographic context - GGH2606 |
| Under Graduate Degree |
Semester module |
NQF level: 6 |
Credits: 12 |
| Module presented in English |
Module presented online |
| Purpose: This module focuses on the relation between geography and the study of tourism. Students who complete this module can interpret tourism patterns, processes and issues within a geographical context. These insights further equip students with the necessary knowledge to advise on and implement sustainable tourism destinations. The economic, environmental and socio-cultural impacts of tourism are explored to encourage sustainable tourism development and management. Specifically, students will be introduced to the value of geography in the field of tourism, examine the distribution of tourism resources on a global and in an African context and evaluate the spatio-temporal tourism environment. These aspects are crucial in managing tourism destinations successfully and will enable students to make a useful contribution in sustainable tourism development. |
| Discover the world: Introduction to Geography - GGH1501 |
| Under Graduate Degree |
Semester module |
NQF level: 5 |
Credits: 12 |
| Module presented in English |
Module presented online |
| Purpose: This module introduces students to the nature and scope of geography as a science and what geographical thinking about the world entails, with specific reference to the Global South and Africa. Students will be guided to use geographic data and to analyse the geographical distribution of real world phenomena with the aid of a selection of contemporary geographical tools. A specific aim is to enhance the geographic literacy of students. Phenomena which will be studied from a geographical perspective to support this aim include topics as climates and the Earth's surface, population and settlements, culture and politics, and development and livelihoods. |
| Introduction to Spatial Science - GGH2607 |
| Under Graduate Degree |
Semester module |
NQF level: 6 |
Credits: 12 |
| Module presented in English |
Module presented online |
| Purpose: This module focuses on spatial science and the use of geographical informaton systems as a tool to practice spatial science. The purpose of this module is to provide students with the necessary knowledge and skills to enable them to obtain spatial data from various sources and to transform these data sources into information. Students will be expected to master a number of different methods to analyse spatial data sets of real-world phenomena, problems and challenges and associated decisions using a geographic information system (GIS). Students are required to have a computer to do this module. The minimum requirements of the computer (desktop or laptop) are as follows:
4GB RAM; 2.4 GHz processor; atleast 8GB available internal storage and 32-bit operating system (preferably, 64-bit) |
| Fieldwork for Spatial Science - GGH2608 |
| Under Graduate Degree |
Semester module |
NQF level: 6 |
Credits: 12 |
| Module presented in English |
Module presented online |
| Pre-requisite: GGH2607 or GGH3703 |
|
| Purpose: The purpose of this module is to teach the latest methods in capturing spatial data when doing field work for the analysis of real-world phenomena, problems and challenges. The module introduces earth geometry, including projections, ellipsoids and datums as appertains to fieldwork. The module furthermore focuses on the quality of survey data and the capturing of data by using accepted standards in the geospatial industry. Basic data processing methods and presentation skills are also covered.
Students are required to have a smart phone and a computer (desktop or laptop) to do this module.
The minimum specifications of the smart phone are as follows: Android 9 or latest GPS enabled (location technology); atleast 500MB RAM and 1GB available device storage; at least 1.4GHz CPU speed for the processor
The minimum requirements of the computer (desktop or laptop) are as follows: 4GB RAM; 2.4 GHz processor; at least 8GB available internal storage; 32-bit operating system (preferably, 64-bit).
|
| State of the Environment in Southern Africa - GGH3701 |
| Under Graduate Degree |
Semester module |
NQF level: 7 |
Credits: 12 |
| Module presented in English |
Module presented online |
| Purpose: Sustainable development in Southern Africa. Geographical phenomena underlying this challenge are climate, vegetation, soil and water resources, people, and the evolution of the social and economic landscapes. Issues which are addressed are: the constraints, problems and management of the natural and human environments, the conservation of Southern Africa's ecological and cultural heritage linked to sustainability. Students registering for this module are required to have regular access to a computer to download or read essential study material from the myUnisa module site. |
| Spatial Economic Development - GGH3702 |
| Under Graduate Degree |
Semester module |
NQF level: 7 |
Credits: 12 |
| Module presented in English |
Module presented online |
| Purpose: To provide leaners with the ability to critically analyse, explain and evaluate the spartial patterns of economic development in South Africa and the processes responsible for these patterns. Students will furthermore be required to focus on possible present and future sustainable local economic development that will contribute to the reduction of poverty and the levels of inequality in South Africa. |
| Introduction to Geographical Information Systems - GGH3703 |
| Under Graduate Degree |
Semester module |
NQF level: 7 |
Credits: 12 |
| Module presented in English |
Module presented online |
| Purpose: Origin, nature and theoretical foundations of GIS; generic GIS applications; collection, input, storage, retrieval and management of spatial data; data analysis and modeling; output, display and communication of geo-referenced data; spatial decision support systems; applying basic GIS functionalities. Students registering for this module are required to have regular access to a computer to download or read essential study material from the myUnisa module site and the World Wide Web. Formative assessment must be completed online and summative assessment for this module comprises a non- venue based portfolio. |
| Development of Urban Space - GGH3704 |
| Under Graduate Degree |
Semester module |
NQF level: 7 |
Credits: 12 |
| Module presented in English |
|
| Purpose: More than half of the world's population is living in cities and even those who do not live in a city are influenced by urban lifestyle to some degree. This module explores the development of cities and focuses on urban structural and social morphologies, urban processes, environmental issues, mobility within urban areas and urban development. Students who complete this module should be able to apply a geographical perspective to cities and their development. The geographical perspective is essentially spatio-temporal which implies that one needs to be able to identify spatial patterns in cities, how they change over time, interpret these and provide solutions to developmental problems in cities globally and locally. |
| Assessing Environmental Impacts - GGH3705 |
| Under Graduate Degree |
Semester module |
NQF level: 7 |
Credits: 12 |
| Module presented in English |
Module presented online |
| Purpose: Overview of environmental assessment; South African case studies; approaches to and a framework for impact assessment; the role of legislation, stakeholders and interest groups; procedures and techniques for impact assessment; application in terms of practical examples; future and critical perspectives. This module is presented online.
Students registering for this module are required to have regular access to a computer to download or read essential study material from the myUnisa module site.
|
| Ecotourism - GGH3707 |
| Under Graduate Degree |
Semester module |
NQF level: 7 |
Credits: 12 |
| Module presented in English |
Module presented online |
| Purpose: Ecotourism in terms of the following: concepts; sustainable (responsible) tourism; specialist travel markets;
resources (also in South Africa); environmental impacts; policy and regulation; planning, development and management of ecotourism destinations; the ecotourism business; communities and ecotourism destinations; ecotourism projects in South Africa. Students registering for this module are required to have regular access to a computer to download or read essential study material from the myUnisa module site.
|
| Environmental Awareness and Responsibility - GGH3708 |
| Under Graduate Degree |
Semester module |
NQF level: 7 |
Credits: 12 |
| Module presented in English |
Module presented online |
| Purpose: Environmental principles in this module are presented in a generic fashion to encourage the students to develop a value system in terms of their environmental awareness and responsibility. The module uses a strong interdisciplinary focus and will make use of a variety of global case studies to enable students to understand how human activities impact on the environment. The learner will then be in a position to reflect constructively on these impacts, and develop a value system and a sense of responsibility in this regard. This module will be presented online, and no study material will be posted for this module. Formative assessment must be completed online and summative assessment for this module comprises a non-venue based portfolio. |
| Applied Spatial Analysis - GGH3710 |
| Under Graduate Degree |
Semester module |
NQF level: 7 |
Credits: 12 |
| Module presented in English |
Module presented online |
| Pre-requisite: GGH2607 or GGH3703 |
|
| Purpose: The module aims to instill students with the required theoretical base and skills to apply spatial analysis functions, georeferencing systems and data considerations in an efficient way to support real-world spatial problem-solving and decision making in various geographical contexts. In order to achieve this, the module engages students in the theory and practice of spatial thinking, advanced spatial analysis methods in raster and vector environments, as well as map design principles. Students are required to have a computer to do this module. The minimum requirements of the computer (desktop or laptop) are as follows: 4GB RAM, 2.4 GHz processor, At least 8GB available internal storage, 32-bit operating system (preferably, 64-bit).
|
| Spatial Analysis Project - GGH3711 |
| Under Graduate Degree |
Year module |
NQF level: 7 |
Credits: 12 |
| Module presented in English |
Module presented online |
| Pre-requisite: GGH2607 or GGH3703, and GGH2608 |
Co-requisite: GGH3710 |
| Purpose: of this module is to provide students with opportunities to demonstrate and apply their spatial analytical knowledge and skills to solve real-world spatial problems in different geographical contexts. Students will be required to select a project from a list of pre-developed options to investigate a real-world spatial problem in either human geography, physical geography, environmental geography or environmental management. Students will be expected to identify and collect data sets needed for the project and will be responsibe for the management and analysis of the data. After the successful completion of this module, students will be able to compile a report based on the results of the project, which demonstrates communication skills in the application of relevant competencies applied in spatial analytics. Students are required to have a smart phone and a computer to do this module. The minimum specifications of the smart phone are as follows: IOS Android 9 or latest, GPS enabled (location technology); At least 500MB RAM and 1GB available device storage; At least 1.4GHz CPU speed for the Processor; The minimum requirements of the computer (desktop or laptop) are as follows: 4GB RAM, 2.4 GHz processor, At least 8GB available internal storage, 32-bit operating system (preferably, 64-bit). |
| The Geography of Everyday Living in Human Settlements - GGH4802 |
| Honours |
|
NQF level: 8 |
Credits: 24 |
| Module presented in English |
Module presented online |
| Purpose: The purpose of this module is to guide students to explore various factors that impact life in human settlements to enable them to make informed contributions related to everyday living in human settlements. The module forms part of an honours programme that provides learning experiences and opportunities to develop capacity to investigate various geographical problems related to how resource use and environmental change could impact on quality of life in various contexts. This module is presented online. Students registering for this module are required to have regular access to a computer and the Internet in order to download or read essential study material from the myUnisa module site and the World Wide Web. Formative assessment must be completed and/or submitted online and summative assessment for this module comprises a non-venue based portfolio. |
| Geographic Perspectives of Environmental Change - GGH4804 |
| Honours |
|
NQF level: 8 |
Credits: 24 |
| Module presented in English |
Module presented online |
| Purpose: In this module, a student's capacity to deal with environmental change from a geographical perspective will be developed. A holistic approach will be followed that acknowledges the spatio-temporal patterns and interrelationships of natural and anthropogenically-induced phenomena. This module contributes to the Honours Program in Geography by elucidating the landscape responses to environmental change and how these responses impact the natural and built environments. This module is presented online. Students registering for this module are required to have regular access to a computer and the Internet in order to download or read essential study material from the myUnisa module site and the World Wide Web. Formative assessment must be completed and/or submitted online and summative assessment for this module comprises a non-venue based portfolio. |
| The Geography of People-Resource Interactions in the Global South - GGH4805 |
| Honours |
|
NQF level: 8 |
Credits: 24 |
| Module presented in English |
Module presented online |
| Purpose: This module guides students in developing their own voice on issues related to the interaction between people and resource use in different regions of the Global South. They should develop the capacity to make informed contributions to future resource use in a variety of local contexts. The Honours in Geography is supported by this module with its unique regional perspective on resource use and the implications thereof, with a strong focus on people and their roles in different spatiotemporal contexts. This module is presented online. Students registering for this module are required to have regular access to a computer and the Internet in order to download or read essential study material from the myUnisa module site and the World Wide Web. Formative assessment must be completed and/or submitted online and summative assessment for this module comprises a non-venue based portfolio.
|
| The Geographer as a Researcher - HRGGH82 |
| Honours |
|
NQF level: 8 |
Credits: 48 |
| Module presented in English |
Module presented online |
| Purpose: To develop a student's ability to identify a real life geographical scenario that justifies research and to present an acceptable research proposal on the identified scenario and to guide students to, undertake the research on their chosen geographical scenario as well as report their research findings. Students can provide personal reflections on how the research experience has contributed to their own sense of citizenship and employability. |