Bachelor of Arts (General) Degree in Geography 

COURSE OUTLINE

Course Details

LEVEL  ONE  (1st Year)

Semester 1

Intended Learning Outcomes:

At the completion of this course every student will be able to describe interactions and dynamism of different components of geo-systems.

Explain foundation aspects in environmental geography

Course Content :

The nature and processes of geo-systems and its parts includes atmosphere, lithosphere, hydrosphere, and biosphere; atmospheric circulation, weather elements, weather and climate, energy transmission, variation of energy inputs and energy budget;  Earth as a planet in the solar system, concepts - origin of the earth, endogenic process of the earth;  plate tectonics and related processes; identification of rock and minerals, identification of soil and soil classification, hydrological cycle : precipitation, vapor-transpiration, groundwater, surface water; Vegetation: energy and matter flow, classification of the world ecosystems and  biomes. Oceanic Environment.

Allocation of Marks  % :

Recommended Readings :

Strahler, A, H. (2013) Introducing Physical  Geography. Wiley Publication.

Arbogast, A. F. (2013) Discovering Physical Geography. Wiley Publication.

Petersen, J, Sack. D, Gabler, R. E. (2010) Fundamentals of Physical Geography. Brooks/Cole.

Recommended GEC courses for the second semester:

Title of the courses: Computer Literacy: Basic Level/ Human resources management

Number of credits: 02  credits for each course

LEVEL ONE  (1st Year)

Semester 2

Intended Learning Outcomes :

At the completion of this course every student will be able to –

Describe the relationship between the human activities and environment in various societies

Explain the positive and negative impacts of human activities in different landscapes

Course content :

Scope and field of Human Geography; Geographical diversity and unity: spatial patterns of different culture and geo- political economy: patterns and development and globalization, dynamic patterns of space economy; agricultural, industrial and service sector; settlements: urban and rural settlement systems and their hierarchical order; human impact on natural systems: landscape, land use, current environmental problems and issues leading to sustainability.

Allocation of Marks  % :

Recommended Readings :

Robenstein, J. L. (2003) An Introduction to Human Geography. Prentice Hall

Fellman and Geties (1990) Human Geography: Landscape of Human Activities. Brown Publications.

Knox, P. L. and Marsaton, S. A. (2001) Places and Regions in Global Context. Prentice Hall.

LEVEL  TWO   ( 2^ND    YEAR)   

Semester 1   

Intended Learning Outcomes:

At the completion of this course every student will be able to -

Describe the future challenges in relation to the population growth scarcity of resources and global economic changes. Develop personal perspectives values and attitudes in relation to current and future global problems and issues in relation to geographical perspectives.

Course Content:

Concepts in resources and global economy, Population as resource and resource user, Dynamics of population; growth, distribution and structure; scarcity of natural resources and enequality in distribution; resource transaction and the interdependencies; current trends and patterns of the establishment of resource reliability among different nations; shifting of the global economic hubs, transnational corporations in controlling of natural resources and global economy.

Allocation of Marks -%

Recommended Readings:

World Resource Institute. (2000) World Resources: People and ecosystems. Oxford: Oxford University Press.

Knox, P. and Agnew, J. (1998).The Geography of the World Economy. (3^rd edition) London: Arnold.

Potter, R. B. at. El. (2004) Geographies of Development. London: Pearson, Printice Hall.

Recommended GEC courses for the first semester:

Title of the courses: Research methodology.                      

Number of Credits: 02

LEVEL TWO   ( 2^ND    YEAR)

Semester  2

Intended Learning Outcomes:

At the completion of this course every student will be able to

Annalys  the diversities and unities in the pluralism of Asian societies.  Develop sensitivity towards the attitudes, values and beliefs of people in different countries.   Identify and explain the regional conflict and geopolitical behavior in the Asian context.

Course content:

Global significance of Asia: its population, natural resources, economy, culture and society in regional  mosaic; modern Japan: the geography of economic growth and social change and the leader of ‘flying gees’; China: policy changes and pathways to modernization and achieving economic prosperity, leading economy in the World and playing a prominent role in geopolitics in both Asia and the World;  Southern Asia: internal geographical

differences, contrast in monsoon and arid environments, religious and cultural diversities, inter and intra conflicts and its geopolitics; South East Asia: diversity and development in the region; Modern Middle East: economy and oil, Arab and Israelis, modern million cities.

Allocation of Marks -%

Recommended Readings:

Scupin, R.(2005), Peoples and Cultures of Asia. Pearson.

Kaplan, R. (2014) Asia’s Cauldron: The south China See and the End of the Stable Pacific. Random House.

English, P. W. and Miller, J. A. (1998) World Regional Geography: A Question of Place. John willy and sons.

Bradshow, M. (2002) World Regional Geography: The Global Order. McGraw Hill.

Recommended GEC courses for the Second Semester:

Title of the Course :   Map Reading

Number of Credits :   02 credits

LEVEL THREE   (  3^rd  YEAR) 

Semester  1

Intended Learning Outcomes:

At the completion of this course every student will be able to

Exhibit basic knowledge and skills on various cartographic techniques and describe principles of cartography as an effective way of communicating spatial information.

Produce good quality cartographic products.

Analyze maps and diagrams using various techniques.

Course Content:

introduction to cartography; map scale, map projections and coordinate systems; principles of cartographic design – map elements, visual variables, map symbolization, color theory, and lettering, map compilation etc.; analysis of map features; relief features, profile and slopes,  statistical cartography, aerial photography, interpretation of  geological maps and weather maps, elementary surveying.

Allocation of Marks -%

Recommended Readings:

Robinson, A. H. at.el (1995) Elements of Cartography.( 6^th edition ), John Wiley and Sons, Inc.

Dorling, D. and Fairbairn, D. (1997) Mapping: Ways of Representing the World.Longman.

Vitarana, K. M. (2007) Cartography. Nugegoda: Sarasavi Publishers.

Monkhouse, F. J. and Wilkinson, H. R. (1960) Maps and Diagrams. Methuen & Co. Ltd.

Recommended GEC courses for the first semester :

Title of the Course :    Introduction to GIS

Number of Credits :   02 credits

Intended Learning Outcomes:

At the completion of this course every student will be able to Explain the nature of research in Geography,

Explain the difference between quantitative and qualitative data, Identify different sampling techniques for geographical studies, Describe research design, data collection methods,  Tabulate and interpret data using appropriate techniques,

Develop a research proposal

Course Content :

Nature of  Geographical research; dealing with  both human and physical factors in order to understand, analyses, interpret and present quantitative data.  Research process: identify a problem; literature survey; research questions; objectives; use of quantitative and qualitative research; research design; selection of samples, data collection methods; analysis and interpretation; preparation of research proposal. 

Allocation of Marks -%

Recommended Readings:

Creswell, John W. (1994), Research Design (California: Sage Publications Inc.)

Dharmasiri, L.M. (2009), Social Research Methods, Author Publication (in Sinhala)

LEVEL  THREE    (3^rd YEAR)

Semester  2

Intended Learning Outcomes:

At the completion of this course every student will be able to

Synthesis the physical and socio-economic conditions of Sri Lanka, Extract relevant information from geographical data,  Evaluate the current and future environmental, socio-economic and other problems and issues through geographical perspectives.

Course Content:

Part one :  introduction to physical environment. Part two: introduction to economic and social environment. Part one contains: geological structure, relief and drainage, landforms, soils, minerals and water resources; Climate: rainfall, temperature, humidity, moisture, and climatic changes; Biological environment: natural vegetation, agro-ecology and marine environment; Natural hazard.

Part Two : Population; distribution, growth, ethnicity and religion; agriculture: types, distribution and related problems and issues; manufacturing industries; location distribution, and related problems; settlements: types and spatial patterns; Urbanization; social welfare services: health, education, postal and communication, and trade; special issues; spatial inequality in development, poverty and poverty eradication, ethnic harmony and national integration.

Most of the important facts are to be witnessed within the field visit.

Allocation of Marks  %

Recommended Readings:

Amarasinghe, A.G. 2014, Macro Human Resource Development, Author Publication ( Written in Sinhala)

Peiris, G. H. ( 1996) Development and change in Sri Lanka. Kandy: International Centre for Ethnic Studies.

Peiris, G. H. (2006) Sri Lanka: Challenges of the New Millennium. Kandy Books.

Nelson, M. D. (2002) Mahaweli Programme and Peasant Settlement Development in the Dry Zone of Sri Lanka. Author’s Publication.

Wijedasa, M. B. (2001) Sri Lankawe Sanwardana Rata. Colombo: S, Godage. ( in Sinhala).

Recommended GEC courses for the second Semester:

Course Title : Bio-diversity and Environmental Conservation.   

Number of Credits : 01 credit

Learning Outcomes:

On successful completion of this module, the student will be able to describe the fundamental components of a GIS; define system specifications including projections, data and process; analyze data and prepare digital databases using GIS software; and summarize, using maps and tables,.   

Course Content:

Definitions, components of GIS, factors supporting the rise of GIS, philosophy of GIS, advantages of GIS,  Maps and GIS: definitions, map essentials, types of maps, map data, spatial data, spatial data coordinate systems, map projections, Universal Transverse Mercator Projection (UTM). Digital representation of geographic data, data base and data base management

Models in GIS: Raster and Vector data base, data quality and data standards, data capturing and processing, Raster and Vector base data capturing systems, processing and analyzing techniques, Structures in GIS: Vector data structure, Raster data structure, comparison between Vector and Raster data structures, advantages and disadvantages

Visualization of GIS data: cartography in the context of GIS, digital terracing modeling, spatial analysis, GIS application: computerized mapping, and spatial analysis, major areas of application, Fundamentals of remote sensing: definitions, satellite remote sensing process, electromagnetic radiation, electromagnetic spectrum, passive and active sensing,

Methods of Teaching and Learning:

The course work consists of lectures, power point presentations, reading suggested materials, handouts, class discussions and lab work.

Assessment Scheme:

Student’s grade in this course will be determined as follows:

Recommended Reading:

Albrecht Jochen, (2007), Key Concepts and Techniques in GIS, SAGE Publications Ltd, London.

Bernhardsen Tor, (1999), Geographic Information Systems: An Introduction, John Wiley and Sons Inc., New York.

Chrisman Nicholas, R, (1996), Exploring Geographic Information Systems, John Wiley and Sons Inc., New York.

David Bruce, (1996), GIS: A Visual Approach, Santa Fe: Onward Press