Geography stage III courses

Explores the spatial organisation of economies and the economic production of space and place. The course enriches the study of economies and their geographies by drawing upon cultural, political and institutional theories to critically examine concepts and techniques traditionally deployed by geographers.  Alternative ways of understanding and influencing economic change are considered. Novel insights are developed into New Zealand’s national and local economies.

*This course is not offered in 2018.

A survey of major themes in population, health and social geography. An examination of the dynamics of population complements analyses of health and health care, the education sector, the welfare state, and the changing character of urban places.

This course is taught in: Second Semester, City Campus (S2 C).

Format: three 1-hour lectures per week plus one 1-hour tutorial per week
Points: 15
Assessment: 40% coursework, 60% final examination
Preparation: No formal prerequisites but a knowledge equivalent to GEOG 202 or equivalent is assumed
Course coordinator:  Robin Kearns

Analysis of key processes shaping socio-cultural geographies of contemporary cities. Using international and local examples, issues such as the economy of cities, the culture of cities, home and housing, segregation and polarisation, the imaging of cities and sustainability are explored.

This course is taught in: First Semester, City Campus (S1 C).

Format: three 1 hour lectures per week plus one 1-hour tutorials
Points: 15
Assessment: 40% coursework, 60% final examination
Preparation: No formal prerequisites but a knowledge equivalent to GEOG 202 or equivalent is assumed
Course coordinator:  Larry Murphy

This course examines development processes and issues in the countries of the Pacific Islands. Themes will include development theory, colonialism, population, economic systems, migration, gender, ethnicity and identity, geopolitics and environment, international linkages and development strategies.

This course is taught in: First Semester, City Campus (S1 C).

Format: Two 1-hour lectures plus one 1-hour tutorial per week
Points: 15
Assessment: 50% coursework, 50% final examination
Preparation: No formal prerequisites but a knowledge equivalent to GEOG 202 or equivalent is assumed
Course coordinator:   Ward Friesen

Further develops key concepts of geographic information science as it is applied to earth and environmental sciences including physical geography. Covers techniques for describing the physical environment, ways of analysing and visualising the environment, particularly raster-based surface models. Also compares theories of remote sensing from space, the air, non-imagery raster data. Skills in analysing and properly using various types of remote sensing materials are developed through labs.

This course is taught in: First Semester, City Campus (S1 C).

Format: three 1-hour lectures and one 2-hour laboratory per week
Points: 15
Assessment: 100% coursework
Prerequisite: GEOG 210 or equivalent
Course coordinator:  Jay Gao

Key concepts of geographic information science and their application in diverse fields such as retailing, environmental management, population mapping, health, crime analysis, and planning. Covers techniques for visualising and describing geographical systems, ways of analysing spatial data, and the impact of recent developments in web-mapping.

This course is taught in: Second Semester, City Campus (S2 C)

Format: two 1-hour lectures and one 2-hour laboratory per week
Points: 15
Assessment: 100% coursework
Prerequisite: GEOG 210 or equivalent
Course coordinator: Agnieszka Leszczynski

A topical and regional approach to the geography of East Asia. The unity and diversity of East Asia, environment and cultural development, industrialisation and urbanisation, population problems, and environmental management are emphasised.

This course is taught in: Second Semester, City Campus (S2 C).

Format: three 1-hour lectures plus one 2-hour tutorial per week
Points: 15
Assessment: 40% coursework, 60% final examination
Preparation: no formal prerequisites but a knowledge equivalent to GEOG 202 is assumed
Course coordinator:  Hong-Key Yoon

An overview of the human dimension of disasters which covers crucial concepts and theories, vulnerability and the causes of disasters, disaster risk reduction and management, post-disaster recovery and transversal issues such as culture and gender. The discussions encompass not only theoretical but also policy and practical materials and draw on examples and case studies from throughout the world with a particular focus on the most vulnerable and marginalised areas and communities.

This course will be taught in First Semester in 2018

Format: one 2-hour and one 1-hour lecture per week, and a 1-hour tutorial, plus two field trips on Saturday 21 and Saturday 28 March
Points: 15
Assessment: 100% coursework
Course coordinator: JC Gaillard

This course gives students direct involvement with the research process, as practised in physical geography. Emphasis is given to research design, methods and techniques from the component fields of physical geography. The focus of the course is a compulsory residential field trip. On this field trip students will apply selected research methods and techniques to a research project. Lectures and laboratories before the field trip will be used to guide students through the research design process, and after the field trip to assist with data analysis, interpretation and reporting.

This course is taught in: Second Semester, City Campus (S2 C).

Format: Three 1-hour lectures, plus a 2-hour tutorial in week 10; plus a five day field trip during the mid-semester break
Points: 15
Assessment: 100% coursework (details of the coursework will be advised at the start of the course)
Suitability: Suitable for students wishing to specialise in physical geography, environmental or data analysis
Methods: Selected physical geography field and laboratory techniques for data collection and analysis
Prerequisite: 75 points above Stage I, including at least 15 points from EARTHSCI 201, 260-262, GEOG 260-262, GEOLOGY 201
Restriction: EARTHSCI 330
Course coordinator:  Murray Ford

An integrated study of hydrological and fluvial processes in a river basin context. Content includes examination of the water balance, run off generating processes and river hydrology, integrated with investigation of sediment sources and transport and resulting deposits. Scientific principles are applied to selected practical problems. There is a fieldtrip associated with this course

This course is taught in: First Semester, City Campus (S1 C)

Format: one 2-hour and one 1-hour lecture per week, plus four 2-hour labs
Points: 15
Assessment: 40% coursework, 60% final examination
Prerequisite: 45 points at Stage II, including 15 points from EARTHSCI 260-263, GEOG 201, GEOG 260-263, or equivalent
Course coordinator:  Jon Tunnicliffe

An exploration of the nature of atmospheric processes that affect our climatic environment, at a range of temporal and spatial scales, with a focus on applications and contemporary issues. The course is divided into sections in which lectures are provided by staff with research expertise and interest in the topics covered. Themes covered in the course include selected topics in applied climatology, urban climates, boundary layer processes and bioclimatology.

This course is taught in: First Semester, City Campus (S1 C)

Format: one 2-hour lecture and one 1-hour lecture per week, plus one 2-hour laboratory per week
Points: 15
Assessment: 40% coursework, 60% final examination
Prerequisite: 45 points at Stage II, including 15 points from EARTHSCI 260-263, GEOG 201, GEOG 260-263, or equivalent
Course coordinator:  Jennifer Salmond

An exploration of the nature and causes of change in selected aspects of the physical environment. Key themes are: a) natural processes driving environmental change and variability; b) humans as agents of change, and; c) biophysical and societal sensitivity to change. Course content will include past, present, and future interactions between society and environmental change, with examples primarily drawn from climatology, hydrology/water resources, and ecology.

This course is taught in: Second Semester, City Campus (S2 C)

Format: three 1-hour lectures and one 2-hour laboratory per week
Points: 15
Assessment: 40% coursework, 60% final examination
Prerequisite: 45 points at Stage II, including 15 points from EARTHSCI 260-263, GEOG 201, GEOG 260-263, or equivalent
Course coordinator:  Anthony Fowler

This course focuses on the development of coastal landforms across a range of temporal and spatial scales. It introduces natural processes such as waves, tides and circulation, as well as geological-scale coastal evolution driven by changes in sea level and sediment supply. The course has an applied focus with specific emphasis on coastal management problems that affect society. Issues considered include coastal erosion during storms, the impacts of shoreline engineering, climate change and accelerating sea level rise.

This course is taught in: First Semester, City Campus (S1 C).

Format: three 1-hour lectures and one 2-hour laboratory per week; plus a compulsory field trip will be held on two days at the end of week 2 or 3 (depending on tidal conditions)
Points: 15
Assessment: 40% coursework (two labs 20%, two tests 10% each), 60% final examination
Prerequisite: 45 points at Stage II, including 15 points from EARTHSCI 260-263, GEOG 201, GEOG 260-263, or equivalent
Course coordinator:  Melissa Bowen