Geographies of Economy, Politics and Culture unit (KGA205)

Hobart, Online

Introduction

All aspects of human life are geographical. Our lives take place in space. Spatial practices and ideas are central to individuals and societies: they help determine who and what belongs where, who controls and owns which resources, and who has what advantages or disadvantages. In this unit you develop skills of geographical inquiry through readings, lectures/seminars, discussions and assessment tasks to investigate and intervene in human geographies. You explore the practical benefit of this inquiry through studying crucial challenges relating to economic value, political power and cultural identity. You analyse case studies from around the world on topics including precarious employment, sustainable and just development, decolonization, nationalism and migration. You apply field research methods to investigate human lives in the context of ideas of place, territory, mobility, landscape and environment at diverse scales. The critical skills of reasoning, researching and communicating developed in this unit are valued by employers in social and environmental policy, planning, development, research and management. This unit prepares you for advanced level units including KGA308, KGA318 and KGA319.

Summary

Unit name	Geographies of Economy, Politics and Culture
Unit code	KGA205
Credit points	12.5
College/School	Sciences and Engineering School of Geography, Planning, and Spatial Sciences
Discipline	Geography, Planning, and Spatial Sciences
Coordinator	Associate Professor Aidan Davison
Available as an elective?	Yes
Delivered By	University of Tasmania
Level	Intermediate

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

• Use critical, reflexive and evidence-based reasoning to investigate economic, political and cultural geographies;
• Apply geographical research skills to generate insights into economic, political and cultural phenomena that are relevant to real problems;
• Communicate human geographical inquiry and insight through clear, effective and ethical writing, speaking and collaboration.

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
090309	$2,174.00	$1,020.00	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

Prerequisites

KGA171 OR KGA172 OR 25 credit points at Introductory level or higher

Teaching

Teaching Pattern	This unit is delivered through a combination of asynchronous (in your own time) and synchronous (timetabled) activities to both on-campus and off-campus students. Each teaching week includes a 30-minute prerecorded lecture, required readings, a 50-minute interactive seminar (recorded) and a 90-minute tutorial. Contact the Unit Coordinator if you are unable to attend tutorials to discuss alternative assessment.
Assessment	AT2: Short Essay Questions (20%)|AT1: Tutorial Activities (30%)|AT3: Research Project (50%)
Timetable	View the lecture timetable | View the full unit timetable

Textbooks

Required	Weekly required readings are listed in the Unit Outline and in MyLO. Readings will be available electronically via links in MyLO and through the Library Reading List.

The University reserves the right to amend or remove courses and unit availabilities, as appropriate.