This 3S-led module is a core element of the new BA Geography degree, offering a year-long introduction to contemporary issues in Human Geography. Topics to be covered include: urbanisation, globalisation, alternative economic geographies, inequalities and environmental justice, environmental governance, geo-politics, population change, migration and health; social and cultural geographies, consumption, identity and exclusion. The module is taught using lectures, seminars and participative workshops.

The module complements the year-long 1^st year module ‘Geographical Perspectives’. Whereas Geographical Perspectives covers key historical, theoretical and conceptual approaches to the subject, this module allows students to apply those concepts to the study of modern social, economic and environmental changes. These two modules run in parallel (GP more conceptual, HGCW more empirical) each informing the other.

It provides students with a foundation in a range of topics which they can further pursue in level 5 modules Contemporary Economic Geographies, Geographies of Development, People and Place, Geographies of Nature/Culture, Environmental Politics and Policymaking, and level 6 modules Urban Geographies, Geographies of Agriculture and Food.

Module convenor: Gill Seyfang

With contributions from Helen Pallett, Irene Lorenzoni, Andrew Lovett, Iain Lake.