Global Geographies of Change unit (KGA171)

Hobart, Online

Introduction

KGA171 Global Geographies of Change introduces you to how geography helps us understand today’s world. The unit explores key issues such as climate change, natural hazards, vulnerability, sustainability, population, development, and territory. You will learn how people and environments interact, and how these relationships shape global change. Workshops, fieldwork, and immersive experiences form the core of your learning. These include in-person or online field trips to coastal and vulnerable landscapes, as well as opportunities to learn from Indigenous scholars about different ways of seeing and interpreting land. This unit provides important grounding in the study of geography and the environment, and shows how geography can help us work towards a fairer and more sustainable world. We believe that combining geographical skills with passion is a powerful way to understand the world and make positive change.

Summary

Unit name	Global Geographies of Change
Unit code	KGA171
Credit points	12.5
College/School	Sciences and Engineering School of Geography, Planning, and Spatial Sciences
Discipline	Geography, Planning, and Spatial Sciences
Coordinator	Doctor Vishnu Prahalad
Available as an elective?	Yes
Delivered By	University of Tasmania
Level	Introductory

Availability

Location	Study period	Attendance options		Available to
Hobart	Semester 1
Online	Semester 1

Note

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Key Dates

Study Period	Start date	Census date	WW date	End date
Semester 1	22/2/2026	16/3/2026	19/4/2026	13/6/2026

* The Final WW Date is the final date from which you can withdraw from the unit without academic penalty, however you will still incur a financial liability (refer to How do I withdraw from a unit? for more information).

Unit census dates currently displaying for 2026 are indicative and subject to change. Finalised census dates for 2026 will be available from the 1st October 2025. Note census date cutoff is 11.59pm AEST (AEDT during October to March).

About Census Dates

Learning Outcomes

• describe spatial patterns and processes of global environmental and social change
• apply geographical skills of mapping to interpret and produce spatial information
• consider geographical arguments, contexts and evidence in assessing global debates about the environment, development and sustainability
• communicate critical and evidence-based geographical thinking through writing, speaking, teamwork and academic integrity

Fee Information

Field of Education	Commencing Student Contribution 1,3	Grandfathered Student Contribution 1,3	Approved Pathway Course Student Contribution 2,3	Domestic Full Fee 4
050999	$1,192.00	$1,192.00	not applicable	$2,562.00

• Available as a Commonwealth Supported Place
• HECS-HELP is available on this unit, depending on your eligibility³
• FEE-HELP is available on this unit, depending on your eligibility⁴

¹ Please refer to more information on student contribution amounts.
² Please refer to more information on eligibility and Approved Pathway courses.
³ Please refer to more information on eligibility for HECS-HELP.
⁴ Please refer to more information on eligibility for FEE-HELP.

If you have any questions in relation to the fees, please contact UniConnect or more information is available on StudyAssist.

Please note: international students should refer to What is an indicative Fee? to get an indicative course cost.

Requisites

Mutual Exclusions

You cannot enrol in this unit as well as the following:

XPD122

Teaching

Teaching Pattern	Each student is expected to attend one 3-hour workshop and two 1-hour lectures per week. Additionally, it is expected that you will dedicate at least 20 hours across semester to preparing for assessments. On-campus: 2 x 1-hr lecture/seminar and 1 x 3-hr on-campus workshop per week. Off-campus: 2 x 1-hr lecture/seminar and 1 x 3-hr synchronous online workshop per week. Attendance at workshops is especially important for Assessment Tasks 1–3, as these sessions directly support your learning and provide evidence for the University’s assurance of learning requirements. Your participation in workshops ensures you are well prepared for assessments and able to engage meaningfully with your peers and teaching staff.
Assessment	Coastal management case study (20%)|Climate migration case study (25%)|Hazard Impact Assessment case study (25%)|Final Exam (30%)
Timetable	View the lecture timetable | View the full unit timetable

Textbooks

Required

The required text for this unit is: Dahlman, C.T. and Renwick, W.H. 2015. Introduction to Geography: People, Places & Environment, 6th edition, Pearson Prentice Hall, Upper Saddle River NJ. Second-hand copies of earlier editions may be adequate (note that page number references on class material relate to the latest edition). The textbook is also available in the library reserve collection and as an ebook.

Recommended

Recommended readings for this unit will be made available on a weekly basis through the MyLO unit webpages. These readings are chosen to support and extend the lecture, workshop, and fieldwork content. While these readings are not directly examinable on their own, engaging with them will help you: Deepen your understanding of key concepts and case studies. Strengthen your ability to complete assessment tasks. Prepare more effectively for the final exam. Please check the weekly modules in MyLO for updated reading lists, links to resources, and any accompanying study notes provided by your teaching team.

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