BA. GEOGRAPHY AND ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES

Background

Geography and environmental studies adopts a multi-disciplinary approach that describes and analyses the location of places on the earth and the distribution of physical and human phenomena in space and time. The discipline accounts for the spatial distribution, association and variation of phenomena, including the impact of human activities on the physical environment. The program is revised in line with ENESCO International Standards Classification of Education and Training (ISCED-F, 2013). The subject benchmark focuses on the advancement, transfer and sharing of knowledge through research, training and teaching activities includes 031(social and behavioural sciences and 052(environmental sciences) and 0532(earth sciences especially geography)

Philosophy of the Programme

The philosophy of the programme is to understand the spatial distribution, association and variation of phenomena and their interaction with the environment. The study of the relationship between humanity activities and the physical environment is a major focus of interest in the field of geography and environmental studies. The philosophical basis of geography as a science is that there exists recognizable regularity and order in the spatial distribution of phenomena. The degree of spatial processes and patterns in the physical and human environments is understood through a scientific and problem-solving approach. Through holistic approach to learning and the philosophical orientation of the discipline, this programme is designed to produce professionals who can appreciate the complexity of the environment and learn how to manage and conserve natural and human resources in line with the global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), Kenya Vision 2030 and the government’s Big Four Agenda.

Rationale of the Programme

The discipline enables a learner to gain a better understanding and appreciation of the world as well as the different bio-physical and socio-economic contexts at global, regional and local levels. The inherent diversity of the discipline’s research frontier provides students with a wide range of skills that is essential in understanding geographic and environmental challenges. This knowledge is essential in making informed and critical judgements demanded from a global citizen in the twenty-first century. The revision of the program is in tandem with the need to understand the ever changing human-environment interactions and their emerging challenges. In addition, geography and environmental studies applies a range of changing methodological skills that are relevant in the discipline’s scientific and problem-solving approach. Geography and environmental studies improves the learners’ knowledge of the earth and challenges their creativity in understanding the complex realities of the world. As such, knowledge from geography and environmental studies is relevant in many career opportunities and sectors. This programme has been developed through consultations with relevant stakeholders from government institutions (NEMA, KWS, KenGen) and Non-Governmental Organizations (Born Free Foundation, Birdlife International).

 

Objectives of the program

a)The discipline enables a learner to gain a better understanding and appreciation of the world as well as the different bio-physical and socio-economic contexts at global, regional and local levels.

b)The inherent diversity of the discipline’s research frontier provides students with a wide range of skills that is essential in understanding geographic and environmental challenges. This knowledge is essential in making informed and critical judgements demanded from a global citizen in the twenty-first century

c) Lastly the programme will impart knowledge and skills for understanding human-environment interactions and to produce a cadre of professional with quality training in geography and environmental studies for sustainable development

Goal of the Programme

The main goal of the programme is to impart knowledge and skills for understanding human-environment interactions and to produce a cadre of professional with quality training in geography and environmental studies for sustainable development.

Expected Learning Outcomes of the Programme

By the end of the programme the learner should be able to:

a) Demonstrate the ability to think critically by considering the inter-relationships between the bio-physical and human environments.

b) Apply geographical knowledge in addressing societal environmental challenges.

c) Demonstrate an understanding of the emerging global environmental challenges.

d) Apply scientific skills for research, mapping and communicating geographic and environmental information.

Mode of delivery

The program will be offered on the following modes

a) Face-to-Face Mode

This will be offered through didactic lectures, case studies, tutorials, seminars, class discussions and presentations, and fieldwork.

b) Open Distance and e-Learning Mode

This will be offered using a multi-media approach that includes self-instructional print and electronic study materials. This will include interactive study materials and both synchronous and asynchronous modes of learning. Online teaching and learning shall be offered through the Learning Management Systems (LMS) of the University of Nairobi.

c)Blended Learning Mode

This will combine both face-to-face and online learning approaches.

 

Schedule of intakes

The programmes will be admitting applicants once per year during September intake as per the faculty of Arts and Social Sciences guidelines

Detailed application information is provided in the University of Nairobi website

 

Contact Information

The Chairman, Geography Population & Environmental Studies

P.O. BOX 30197 – 00100 Nairobi, Kenya

Tel: +254-020-4918222

E-mail: geopopes@uonbi.ac.ke