Master's Programme in Globalization, Environment and Social Change, 120 ECTS
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Description
The curriculum for the Master’s Programme in Globalization, Environment and Social Change will be modified before the start of the Autumn Semester 2023. The application is currently closed but will be open in the second application round on March 15 to April 17, 2023. The programme will lead to a master’s degree in geography. More information about the adjustments will be published as soon as possible.
Climate change and rapidly growing slum settlements in big cities are two examples of major global environmental problems. Within this programme you will learn how to explain the underlying social factors for natural disasters and the economic, demographic and political processes that are root causes of increased vulnerability. This requires an analysis of global socio-economic processes and knowledge of long-term earth system processes.
Purpose and learning objectives
The programme is designed for students with a background either in social sciences or in biology and/or earth sciences who want to develop a multidisciplinary perspective. The overall aim of the programme is that students will develop a capacity to communicate across the disciplinary boundaries between social theory and natural sciences. Among the more specific aims are that students, after the programme, should be able to critically integrate knowledge from the socio-economic and bio-geographical spheres of study and make interdisciplinary analyses in the areas of globalization, environment and social change. They should also be able to use interdisciplinary methods and theory and independently develop a research question, plan and carry out a study within the fields of globalization, environment and social change.
Programme content and structure
The first year consists of the four following courses: 1 Introduction Course: Globalization, Environment and Social Change (15 credits). 2 Global Climate and Environmental Change (15 credits). 3 Urbanization and Environment (15 credits). 4 Theory and Method (15 credits).
In the autumn semester of the second year, you take optional courses (15 credits) from a list of courses available at any of the three involved departments in order to provide for specialization. You also have 15 credits available for a course of free choice at any recognized university. The whole spring semester of the second year is devoted to writing your master’s thesis (30 credits).
The Department of Human Geography hosts the Master’s programme and cooperates with the Department of Economic History and the Department of Physical Geography.
Degree and career options
You will improve your ability to communicate with different groups of people dealing with global environmental questions. This programme targets students who want to do research on global environmental and social issues or work at government authorities, international organizations and private companies.
Area of interests: Science and Mathematics
Science and mathematics help us understand how the world around us is connected – from the origin and structure of the universe, to the development and function of humanity and all other organisms on earth. Scientific knowledge makes it possible to critically examine the credibility of information in different areas of everyday life, society, and the media. As a scientist or mathematician, you will be attractive on a large job market that covers all parts of society and includes everything from pure technology companies to environment and healthcare, as well as research.
Subject
Geography and Interdisciplinary Environmental Studies
The subject of the world! Geographers are involved in community planning in aspects concerned with climatic change, flood risk and storm damage, as well as with developmental issues such as innovations in farming, city expansion, health matters and refugees. Work areas are to be found both in Sweden and abroad (SIDA, Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency, Red Cross, Swedish Rescue Services Agency, etc.). As the impact of human induced changes to our environment becomes more and more intrusive, the geographer’s role takes on a new and important dimension. Geographers contribute to planning future communities and are key participants in the creation of a sustainable future for people on the regional, national and global planes. The discipline Geography encompasses environmental and social questions that are linked to world’s diversity of municipal and rural environments, populations, and living conditions. Geography is a science that since the time of the ancient Greeks has aimed to describe, analyse and explain the earth as the human habitat. Man’s living conditions and environment are largely dependent on whereabouts on the surface of the earth he lives, and there are clear connections between the differing development patterns of different societies and the surrounding natural environment and its exploitation. Knowledge of the connections and interplay between humankind, socio-cultural development and the natural environment constitutes the core of the discipline Geography. As a result of increasing globalisation in interdisciplinary research, business, international trade and economics, tourism, land management and environmental work, education and the mass media, geographical skills are in high demand. There is furthermore a substantial increase in the use of geographic information systems (GIS) and methods of investigation that require the use of satellite imagery and aerial photography (remote sensing).