University of Manitoba - Environment and Geography - Bachelor of Arts Geography
Bachelor of Arts Geography

What is Human Geography?

A central tenet of Human Geography is that location, space, place, and scale are important for understanding the full consequences of human events and processes. By focusing on location as the central feature of our discipline, Human Geography brings together a wide variety of perspectives that other disciplines treat in isolation. The attraction of Human Geography is found in these multiple perspectives and approaches to knowledge that provide for a full and rigorous picture of the world in which we live.  Human Geographers want to know how human societies, cultures, and economies work, and how these systems are interdependent with each other and with natural and Earth systems. We work at a variety of geographic scales, from the micro-scale of local communities and regions, through the macro-scale of global human and ecological dynamics.

Human Geographers in Canada are known for our unique insights and contributions to understanding and resolving major global issues – including climate change consequences, sociopolitical and armed conflicts, increasing international human mobilities, resource management debates, and the social and cultural impacts of global urbanization and uneven development. Geographers are highly valued and sought after in the public domain, whether participating in global policy discussions, regional planning initiatives, or local community advocacy campaigns.

Streams in the Human Geography Program

1. Resources, Environment and Society (RS)
Students in this stream have the opportunity to develop a critical understanding of the consequences of environmental changes for the broad working of society. Courses in this stream focus on the geographies of natural and human induced environmental processes – including those that occur in natural resource development, in cities, and across global geopolitical networks – in the recognition that current environmental change is continually shaping relationships across all scales of society.  A particular emphasis will be placed on understanding the social and political dynamics of environmental risks that impact inequality, well-being, and community sustainability.  This stream will benefit those students looking for careers in environmental planning, resource management, and policy advocacy in both non-profits and governmental sectors. 

2. Global Politics, Justice, and Sustainability (GPS)
This stream offers a global scale, integrated assessment of the links between the economic, socio-cultural, ecological and political systems that combine to shape the world in which we live. Students with an interest in the interactions between human societies and their physical environment will emerge from this stream with the skills to participate and succeed in both local and global environmental governance as well as with a keen understanding of the many imbalances/inequities that are embedded within the current system of resource production and consumption and global exchange. This stream provides students with the critical and analytical skills to work effectively in the broad field of environmental stewardship. Moreover, the important focus on justice and sustainability gives students a critical perspective into the geographic factors that influence the lives of people in the Global South. 

3. Culture, Identity and Space (CIS)
This stream emphasizes dynamics between identity, culture and the landscape, with a particular focus on forms of cooperation and conflict that produce local landscapes.  Students in this stream will develop a critical understanding of how economic, environment and political geographies are shaped through the lens of culture.  While global in scope, much of the coursework for this stream places these conversation directly in the Prairie, Northern and broader Canadian context, illustrating the historic, economic and political context of culture and identity as it relates to Indigenous peoples, northern development, agriculture, multiculturalism, and the resource economy in these regions.  This stream will prepare students for careers in municipal and regional planning, community development, education, and environmental governance.  


Degrees Offered

Bachelor of Arts in Geography (B.A.)    

  • Minimum time to graduation: Three years (University 1, plus two years). There is no time limit to complete the degree.
  • Requires the completion of 90 credit hours of coursework and provides students with a basic level of understanding of Geography.
  • This degree can be completed entirely through Distance Education.

Bachelor of Arts in Geography (Advanced)

  • Minimum time to graduation: Four years (University 1, plus three years). There is no time limit to complete the degree.
  • A 120 credit hour program that provides a broad geographical education, but allows for specialization, in a particular field of interest to the student.

Bachelor of Arts in Geography (Honours)

  • Minimum time to graduation: Four years (University 1, plus three years).There is no time limit to complete the degree.
  • Involves 120 credit hours of course work. Including the completion of an Honours Thesis. Recommended for students planning a professional career, or post graduate studies.  

 


Please visit the Academic Calendar for detailed program information:
B.A. Geography Program Chart 

 


Contact Information

For any additional information please contact a Student Advisor in the Clayton H. Riddell Faculty of Environment, Earth, and Resources . Student Advisors are located in the Dean's office, 440 Wallace Building.
All students are advised to examine their interests and future goals carefully to make appropriate program choices.