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Professor & Head of Department
KM Rowntree, MSc(Bristol), PhD(Strathclyde)
Professors
RC Fox, PhD(Strathclyde), PGDHE(Rhodes)
EL Nel, BA(Hons), HDE(Rhodes), MA(Wits), PhD(Rhodes)
Lecturers
L. Du Preez, BSc(Hons)(Pretoria)
GK McGregor, MSc(Rhodes)
Research Associates
D Pyle (2007 - 2011)
A Scholz (2005 - 2009)
B Taylor (2007 - 2011)
Visiting Professor
I Foster (2006 - 2008)
Geography (GOG) is a six-semester subject that may be taken as a major subject for the degrees of BSc, BA, BJourn and BSocSc.
To major in Geography, a candidate is required to obtain credit in the following courses: EAR 101; GOG 102; GOG 201; GOG 202; GOG 301; and GOG 302. See Rule S.23. At the discretion of the Head of Department students may replace one third level course with an acceptable alternative course deemed to be its equivalent.
EAR 101 and GOG 102 are pre-requisites for students majoring in Environmental Science (ENV), details of which are given in a separate entry.
Students are expected to participate in Departmental excursions. Costs are kept as low as possible. Fieldwork, to be carried out during one of the vacations, is compulsory in the third year, and in Honours. Honours students are encouraged to attend the South African Student Geographical Conference, which is held at a different university each year.
See the Departmental Web Page http://www.ru.ac.za/academic/departments/geography/ for further details, particularly on the contents of courses.
Geography 1 consists of two first-year courses, namely Earth Science 101 (jointly taught by the Geography and Geology departments) and Geography 102 (Introduction to Global Development), which are taught normally in the first and second semesters respectively. Students who take both Geography 1 and Geology 1 will have to take an additional semester course in an appropriate subject during the first semester to ensure that they have enough credits for their degree. Credit may be obtained in each semester course separately and, in addition, an aggregate mark of at least 50% will be deemed to be equivalent to a two credit course GOG 1, provided that a candidate obtains the required sub-minimum in each component. However, students wishing to major in Geography must normally obtain credit in both components separately. Supplementary examinations may be recommended in either course, provided that a candidate achieves a minimum standard specified by the Department.
These courses provide a sound foundation for the student majoring in Geography as well as a general course for the student studying Geography for one year. Practical work, including field work, is an integral part of both courses.
No prior background in Geology or Geography is required for entry to Earth Science 101, although a matric pass in Geography provides a sound basis for studying Geography. However, students may not register for Geography 102 unless they have at least earned a DP certificate for Earth Science 101, or have passed Geography at the matriculation level (or equivalent).
EAR 101
Introduction to Earth Systems. This course introduces the processes that have shaped the Earth and its environment over both geological and recent time scales. The interrelationships between the Earth, the atmosphere and living organisms forms a key theme through the course. No prior background in Geology or Geography is required.
GOG 102
Introduction to Global Development. This course examines the key political, economic, demographic and cultural forces that have shaped the global development process and assesses the relationship between people, development and environmental resources.
There are two independent second-year courses in Geography. GOG 201 is normally held in the first semester and GOG 202 in the second semester. Credit may be obtained in each course separately and, in addition, an aggregate mark of at least 50% will be deemed to be equivalent to a two-credit course GOG 2, provided that a candidate obtains the required sub-minimum in each component. No supplementary examinations will be offered for either course.
Practical work is an integral part of both courses and is related to the relevant lecture courses and to the development of research techniques.
Normally, credit in GOG 102 or EAR 101 is required before a student may register for GOG 201 or GOG 202 respectively. At the discretion of the Head of Department, students who have only an aggregate credit in GOG 1 may be allowed to register for these courses.
GOG 201
Urban and Rural Structures. This course examines key contemporary challenges affecting the geography of urban and rural areas, with specific reference to southern Africa within the broader global context.
GOG 202
Natural Systems: Processes, Resources and Management. This course examines the main processes operating in the physical environment, and the resulting natural resource base, with particular reference to southern Africa.
There are two independent third year courses in Geography. GOG 301 is normally held in the first semester and GOG 302 in the second semester. Credit may be obtained in each course separately and, in addition, an aggregate mark of at least 50% will be deemed to be equivalent to a two-credit course GOG 3, provided that a candidate obtains the required sub-minimum in each component.
Normally, credit in both GOG 201 and GOG 202 is required before a student may register for either or both of the third year credits GOG 301 and GOG 302. At the discretion of the Head of Department a student with only an aggregate credit for GOG 2 may be allowed to register for either or both of the credits GOG 301 and GOG 302.
GOG 301
Environment and Development in Africa. The aim of this course is to provide students with a critical understanding of the interrelated nature of the environment and development in Africa. A field week-end is a compulsory component of the course.
GOG 302
Geography in Theory and Practice. The aim of this course is to provide students with the theoretical background and related practical competencies in one or more sub-disciplines within Geography, for example economic geography, mountain environments, Quaternary Science, climatology and Geographical Information Systems. Fieldwork is a compulsory component.
In all cases students are required to read four courses, submit a research project and present two seminars during the year. Field courses are compulsory for several Honours courses.
Geography Honours students are required to take the Research Philosophy and Methodology course and select three other courses from those normally offered by the staff of the Department: Geographical Information Systems, Fluvial Geomorphology, Quaternary Studies, Rural Economy and Land Utilization in Africa, Water Resource Management, and The Geography of Economic Development. The courses offered may be subject to timetable and staffing constraints.
Environmental Water Management students are required to take the Water Resource Management course in addition to the course on Research Philosophy and Methodology. They must also select two other courses from those recommended by the Head of Department, which normally include: Environmental Water Quality, Fresh Water Ecology, Geographical Information Systems, Fluvial Geomorphology. The research project must be water related and approved by the Head of Department. The courses offered may be subject to timetable and staffing constraints.
Landscape Process and Management students are require to take the Research Philosophy and Methodology course and select three other courses from those recommended by the Head of Department which normally include: Fluvial Geomorphology, Quaternary Studies, Rural Economy and Land Utilization in Africa, Geographical Information Systems. The research project must be landscape related and approved by the Head of Department. The courses offered may be subject to timetable and staffing constraints.
Spatial Development students are required to take the Research Philosophy and Methodology course and select three other courses from those recommended by the Head of Department which normally include: Rural Economy and Land Utilization in Africa, The Geography of Economic Development, Geographical Information Systems. The research project must be development related and approved by the Head of Department. The courses offered may be subject to timetable and staffing constraints.
Parts of the Geography degree may be taken in conjunction with courses in other departments. For example, a student could write one paper in Botany or Economics. Where approximately 50% of a student's courses are examined in another department, a joint degree is awarded (for example, Honours in Geography/Geology). Any combined degree must be agreed to by both Heads of Department concerned, and in the Faculty of Humanities through the Humanities Higher Degree Committee.
BA(Hons) in Development Studies
Each student is required to read four courses, write a dissertation, and present two seminars during the year. At least two of the courses must be chosen from those offered by the Department for the Interdisciplinary Degree in Development Studies: The Geography of Economic Development; Geographical Information Systems; Rural Economy and Resource Utilization in Africa. The remaining courses must be chosen from those offered by the participating departments after consultation with the Head of the Department of Economics and the Dean of the Faculty. Students should also consult the relevant entry on Interdepartmental Studies in this Calendar.
BA(Hons) in Industrial Society
Each student is required to read four courses, write a dissertation, and present two seminars during the year. Two of the courses must be those offered by the Department for the Interdisciplinary Degree in Industrial Society: Geography of Economic Development, Geographic Information Systems. The remaining courses must be chosen from those offered by the other participating departments after consultation with the Head of the Department of Sociology and Industrial Sociology and the Dean of the Faculty. Students should also consult the relevant entry on Interdepartmental Studies in this Calendar.
Suitably qualified students are encouraged to proceed to the research degrees of MSc, MA, MSocSc and PhD, under the direction of the staff of the Department. The degree of MSc in Water Science in the Department of Geography may also be awarded. Requirements for these degrees are given in the General Rules.
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