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Development Geography (Foundation Degree)
This course explores the topical and key global issues of development, with particular focus on developing countries, and sustainability. You will learn about the environmental, social and geopolitical issues and challenges facing the world today.
For more information about this course please visit the School of Science, Society and Management website.
In the first year you will gain knowledge about development theory and the concept of sustainable development, and become practiced in methods of scientific investigation. The application of geographical methods and techniques will enable you to examine real-world development problems. You will also develop a range of skills that will prepare you for the remainder of your course as well as your future career. Skills include computing (such as Geographic Information Systems), laboratory and field-based work, the researching and use of data to aid decision-making, working independently and in teams, carrying out a field investigation, and clear communication, both written and oral.
A unique feature of this two-year programme is that you will undertake a work placement in a developing country (for example Ghana, India, Sri Lanka, Peru or Thailand) during your second year, organised by our partner Projects Abroad. You will receive training in methods and techniques used by practitioners, such as participatory involvement and interviewing, and field experience such as project design and working with translators.
With future careers in mind, a second year module - Professional Studies - explores your career options and there may be the opportunity to arrange a short work experience with a UK-based Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) specialising in development or environmental sustainability.
Course Structure and Content
This programme currently offers the following modules:
Year 1 Modules (Certificate Level)
- Development Geography: This module introduces the basic concepts and theories of development and applies them to real-world case studies to provide global contexts and overviews. Theories of development are placed into a geographical context with discussions of colonialism, globalisation and demographic trends and patterns. Topical issues such as global inequality, women's role in development, geopolitics, grassroots development, health and education are discussed. Students also carry out an in-depth project on a topical development issue facing a developing country.
- Sustainable Development: The module explores the meanings of sustainable development, with particular reference to environmental contexts. Environmental systems such as land, atmosphere, water and vegetation are introduced, and the physical-human interactions that lead to socio-economic development and/or environmental degradation are discussed. Topical issues such as air pollution, desertification, soil erosion, water pollution and energy resources are considered in the contexts of case studies taken from developed and developing countries. The module is distinctive in that it also offers students ample opportunity to deepen their understanding of key sustainability issues through laboratory-based practical investigation.
- Geographical Skills: This module introduces a range of skills that you will use and apply throughout your degree and beyond - employers have been impressed our graduates not only because of their unique understandings of the world but because of the practical skills they bring with them. You will develop a wide variety of skills such as: surveying, mapping geodata, applied ICT, communication, and research skills including library and bibliographic skills.
- Geography: A Regional Introduction: By the end of this module you will have taken part in field work in the Mendips, completed a series of laboratory practicals, and contributed to a team presentation on natural resource exploitation. All of these activities will have further developed your skills and increased your understanding of the concepts and history of regional geography, particularly in the south-west, our home region.
In addition, you can take two modules from the following list:
- Space and Society;
- Landform Analysis;
- Tourism: An Introduction;
- Global Food Resources;
- Introduction to Remote Sensing;
- Introduction to Geographic Information Systems;
- Survey Methods.
Year 2 Modules (Intermediate Level)
- Overseas Placement: This is an exciting and challenging module. You will spend an extended period living and working in a developing country. In addition to the work placement, you will also undertake a development project of your choosing and design. The destination and your work placement will be negotiated to suit your needs and interests. This can be anywhere in the world: you may, for example, like to work in an orphanage in India, an archaeological project in the Peruvian Andes, teaching in Ghana, or a conservation project deep in the Amazon rainforest in Peru. Projects are negotiated with our partner organisation Projects Abroad.
- Sustainable Communities: The goal of development should be a society that lives 'well', but that does so in a sustainable way. However, there has been increased recognition that development does not automatically lead either to well-being or a sustainable way of life. This module explores these concepts, and asks how sustainability and well-being can be achieved for different places and peoples around the globe, exploring how everyday life is experienced, constrained, enhanced and made meaningful. Local and global contexts are considered with topical examples such as the use of different energy resources.
- Soil and Water Conservation: The principles of soil and water mechanics are the core themes of this module. You will learn about the management of soil and water in different environments. The theoretical knowledge and practical skills that you will gain are particularly relevant to dealing with environmental issues in development work.
- Professional Studies: As well as providing important guidance that makes you more employable, this module dovetails nicely with the Overseas Placement where your hands-on experience of a developing country in the field is integrated with personal reflection and career mapping that will improve your employability. There may also be the opportunity during your studies to take a short work experience placement with a relevant UK-based organisation.
Careers
Opportunities are varied and include employment as an agency field worker or a voluntary sector worker, or careers with non-governmental organisations and government departments. Opportunities also exist in education, tourism, and further study. The Foundation Degree is a vocational qualification, and as such contributes towards you obtaining paid or voluntary work in the development sector. Your practical field-based experience that you will acquire will give you the edge over more academic courses, and you can be qualified in only two years.
At the successful completion of your Foundation Degree in Development Geography there is the option to 'top-up' to the Year 3 of the Single Honours Geography degree programme, which offers fieldtrips to Brittany and Barcelona, and gives you the opportunity to undertake a dissertation on a development topic.
Further Information
Want to know more about Development Geography at Bath Spa? We have Open Days and Visit Days throughout the year. If you can't make any of those, we are also happy to arrange individual visits for you to have a look around at the facilities and ask any questions you may have. You can get in touch using the contact details adjacent. We hope to see you here soon!
Entry Requirements
Appropriate Level 3 qualifications (for example, A-Level or vocational qualifications).
Alternative qualifications welcome (particularly from over 21s with experience in development work).