Is Geography for you? First Year Orientation Department of Geography, Environmental Studies & Tourism University of the Western Cape

Why Geography?

…EVERYWHERE! Why? Because geography is…

Geography & Environmental Studies

YOU are a geographer if you: Are curious about places, both here and overseas: Geographers are interested in the makeup of places and what makes them tick; Are a problem solver: As scientists, geographers are naturally curious about how the world is arranged. They ask lots of questions about why things are located the way they are and then they try to answer those questions; Enjoy studying maps: The geographer's first inclination is to put information on a map in order to visualise it;

YOU are a geographer if you: Make connections among seemingly unrelated processes: One of geography's strengths is its ability to integrate ideas about human behavior, social institutions, and the natural environment; Are interested in connections between people and the environment: Geographers see the world as the human habitat, one that we have transformed and that has transformed us. Are interested in technological change: Geographical Information Systems (GIS) have revolutionized the way geographers collect, store, analyze, and present spatial information.

At UWC, ‘Geography’ includes: Human geography Physical geography Environmental studies Tourism studies

Geography helps you to understand what accounts for differences in fertility around the world Source: United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs, Population Division (2015)

Geography answers questions about a variety of settlement patterns Dharavi (Mumbai)

33% of city dwellers live in informal settlements Image © Swiss Dot Geography is important because:

Image © Swiss Dot Geography helps us to understand the process and impacts of urbanisation

Geography is important because: 53% of the world’s population lives in cities (estimated to by 75% by 2050) Image © Swiss Dot

Geography enables us to understand the lives of a range of urban dwellers, their livelihoods and struggles

Geography allows us to understand the migration of people (both voluntary and involuntary) and the factors that affect their livelihoods

Cities by numbers Image Creative Commons License 75% of the world’s CO2 emissions is produced by cities Geography is important because:

Geography helps you to understand the cause and impacts of natural hazards

Geography helps you to understand the role of water in shaping society

Geography gave rise to Geographical Information Systems (GIS) that have revolutionized the way geographers collect, store, analyze, and present spatial information.

Tourism

photo: (Bradley Rink) Berlin Wall Memorial, Germany August 2013 Tourism studies allow you to explore how destinations are created, marketed and used for economic and social development

photo: (author) Cape of Good Hope, July 2010 Tourism studies help you to understand the economic, social and environmental impacts of the tourism industry

photo: (Bradley Rink) Robben Island Museum October 2010 Tourism studies help you to understand the role of heritage in attracting visitors to Cape Town from around the world

CAREER OPPORTUNITIES Urban Planner Regional Planner Tourism Planner Economic Development Specialist Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Professional Cartographer Medical Geographer Historic Preservation Consultant Environmental Specialist/Manager University Professor/Lecturer/Researcher Natural Resources Evaluation Specialist/EIA Public School Teacher Transportation Analyst …and many more!

Modules: Geography & Environmental Studies 1 st Year –GES111 Introduction to Human Geography –GES121 Introduction to Physical Geography 2 nd Year –GES211 Catchment Studies –GES222 Population Geographies –GES221 Critical Issues in Urban Studies –GES212 Human Mobilities in the Contemporary World –GES213 Maps & Satellite Imagery –GES223 Climatology 3 rd Year –GES311 Contemporary Environmental Issues –GES328 Political Geography of Land –GES313 Sustainable Rural Livelihoods –GES321 Problematizing the City in Africa –GES322 Coastal Environments –GES323 Geographical Information Systems

Modules: Tourism 2 nd Year –TOU211 Introduction to Tourism –TOU212 Tourism and Economic Development –TOU221 Environmental Impacts of Tourism –TOU222 Socio-Cultural Impacts of Tourism 3 rd Year –TOU311 Tourism Planning –TOU341 Contemporary Debates in Niche Tourism –TOU321 Tourism Marketing and Development –TOU322 Analytical Techniques for Tourism

We hope to see you in our modules in 2016! Please visit us in Room 140 Old Arts with any questions. Department of Geography, Environmental Studies & Tourism University of the Western Cape