Outline

Overview

This unit of study provides a geographical perspective on the ways in which people interact with each other and the physical world, focussing on the processes that generate spatial variation and difference. Students will consider the development and characteristics of natural environments across the globe, and will explore how these environments both constrain, and are influenced by, humans. In the process, they will learn about the biophysical, political, economic, cultural and urban geographies that shape contemporary global society. Each of these themes will be discussed with reference to key examples, in order to understand the ways in which the various processes (both physical and human) interact. The unit of study is designed to attract and interest students who wish to pursue geography as a major within their undergraduate degree, but also has relevance to students who wish to learn how to think geographically about the contemporary world.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit	Geosciences Academic Operations
Credit points	6
Prerequisites ?	None
Corequisites ?	None
Prohibitions ?	GEOS1902 or GEOG1001 or GEOG1002
Assumed knowledge ?	None
Available to study abroad and exchange students	Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator	Rebecca Cross, r.cross@sydney.edu.au
Lecturer(s)	Bill Pritchard, bill.pritchard@sydney.edu.au
Lecturer(s)	Dan Penny, dan.penny@sydney.edu.au

Assessment

The census date for this unit availability is 1 September 2025

Details
Criteria

Type	Description	Weight	Due	Length	Use of AI
Written exam ?	Examination Short and long answer questions	45%	Formal exam period	2 hours	AI prohibited
Outcomes assessed:
Practical skill	Tutorial Papers Short tutorial papers 4 x 5%	20%	Multiple weeks	500-700 words each	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Practical skill	Practical Tasks practical tasks	12%	Multiple weeks	Various	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Out-of-class quiz	Early Feedback Task Based on the outcomes of your work in the Wk 2 practical #earlyfeedbacktask	3%	Week 03 Due date: 22 Aug 2025 at 11:59	30 minutes	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Practical skill	GIS Report Analysis of data and production of maps using GIS	20%	Week 13 Due date: 07 Nov 2025 at 23:59	Maps + 1200 word report	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
= early feedback task ?

Early feedback task

This unit includes an early feedback task, designed to give you feedback prior to the census date for this unit. Details are provided in the Canvas site and your result will be recorded in your Marks page. It is important that you actively engage with this task so that the University can support you to be successful in this unit.

Assessment summary

Detailed information for each assessment can be found on Canvas.

Assessment criteria

The University awards common result grades, set out in the Coursework Policy 2014 (Schedule 1).

As a general guide, a High distinction indicates work of an exceptional standard, a Distinction a very high standard, a credit a good standard, and a pass an acceptable standard.

Result name	Mark range	Description
High distinction	85 - 100	A response at the HD level will demonstrate unusual flair for the subject area. A comprehensive understanding of the material should be apparent, and clear critical evaluation of the subject area supported by evidence and examples. There must be no factual errors. More than this, the student should demonstrate clear evidence of wider knowledge and reasoning. The student must demonstrate wide and independent reading (beyond that specified or required by the question) and the use of high-quality, peer-reviewed information to support their arguments.
Distinction	75 - 84	A response at the D level will demonstrate high-level aptitude for the subject area. The work should indicate a strong understanding of the material, incorporating all of the relevant factual information as specified by the question. Evidence of critical evaluation should be apparent. There should be no significant factual errors. Some evidence of independent and original thinking should be apparent. There must be evidence for the use of a wide range of credible, peer-reviewed sources to support arguments made.
Credit	65 - 74	A response at the C level will demonstrate a good understanding of the subject area, incorporating most of the relevant knowledge or facts as specified by the question. There is evidence of a sound understanding of the material, and that this understanding has been successfully applied to the assessment task. There may be some limited evidence of critical independent thinking and/or originality of thought. There should be few significant factual errors, and the work should incorporate most of the relevant factual information as specified by the assessment task. There must be evidence of a range of sources, most of which must be credible, peer-reviewed sources.
Pass	50 - 64	A response at the PA level will demonstrate a satisfactory understanding of the subject area. The work should include some of the relevant knowledge or factual information. While the response is judged to adequately answer part or the entire question posed, there may be some significant factual errors and omissions. A limited range of sources is apparent, a large proportion of which will be non-peer reviewed. Citation and referencing may be inconsistent through the assessment task and there may be several errors in fact, formatting or style.
Fail	0 - 49	When you don’t meet the learning outcomes of the unit to a satisfactory standard.

For more information see guide to grades.

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI)

You can use generative AI tools for open assessments. Restrictions on AI use apply to secure, supervised assessments used to confirm if students have met specific learning outcomes.

Refer to the assessment table above to see if AI is allowed, for assessments in this unit and check Canvas for full instructions on assessment tasks and AI use.

If you use AI, you must always acknowledge it. Misusing AI may lead to a breach of the Academic Integrity Policy.

Visit the Current Students website for more information on AI in assessments, including details on how to acknowledge its use.

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

Academic integrity

The University expects students to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.

Our website provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. This includes advice on how to avoid common breaches of academic integrity. Ensure that you have completed the Academic Honesty Education Module (AHEM) which is mandatory for all commencing coursework students

Penalties for serious breaches can significantly impact your studies and your career after graduation. It is important that you speak with your unit coordinator if you need help with completing assessments.

Visit the Current Students website for more information on AI in assessments, including details on how to acknowledge its use.

Learning support

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a simple extension.  The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can’t complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students, AI in Education includes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

Support for students

The Support for Students Policy reflects the University’s commitment to supporting students in their academic journey and making the University safe for students. It is important that you read and understand this policy so that you are familiar with the range of support services available to you and understand how to engage with them.

The University uses email as its primary source of communication with students who need support under the Support for Students Policy. Make sure you check your University email regularly and respond to any communications received from the University.

Learning resources and detailed information about weekly assessment and learning activities can be accessed via Canvas. It is essential that you visit your unit of study Canvas site to ensure you are up to date with all of your tasks.

If you are having difficulties completing your studies, or are feeling unsure about your progress, we are here to help. You can access the support services offered by the University at any time:

Support and Services (including health and wellbeing services, financial support and learning support)
Course planning and administration
Meet with an Academic Adviser

Weekly schedule

WK	Topic	Learning activity
Week 01	Introductory tutorial	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 01	Introduction: Thinking Geographically	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 02	Fluvial Geomorphology	Practical (1 hr)
Week 02	Geomorphology: reading the landscape	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 03	Biogeography	Practical (1 hr)
Week 03	Biogeography, tectonics, fire and conservation	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 04	Climate	Practical (1 hr)
Week 04	Australian Climate Drivers and Natual Hazards	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 05	Geographical Systems Thinking	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 05	Socio-Ecological Systems	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 06	Space Place Identity and Culture	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 06	Anti-colonial and Indigenous Geography	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 07	Qualitative Methods in Human Geography	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 07	Social and Cultural Geography	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 08	Qualitative Methods in Human Geography	Practical (1 hr)
Week 08	Rural Geography	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 09	Geography of the World Economy	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 09	Digital Geography	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 10	GIS Practical Task	Practical (1 hr)
Week 10	Global Development	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 11	GIS Practical Class	Practical (1 hr)
Week 11	Urban Geography	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 12	GIS Practical Class	Practical (1 hr)
Week 12	Economic Geography	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 13	The Great Acceleration, Conclusion & Exam Preparation	Lecture (2 hr)

Attendance and class requirements

You must attend 80% of tutorials/practicals

Study commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester. For a 6 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 120-150 hours of student effort in total.

Required readings

Tutorial readings are provided on Canvas for each tutorial paper assessment.

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University's graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

Outcomes
Graduate qualities

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

LO1. demonstrate a clear understanding of geography as an academic discipline, including an awareness of its history and development
LO2. demonstrate a familiarity with the core concepts that define the study and practice of geography while acknowledging the dynamic and situated nature of Geographical thought
LO3. apply geographical thinking to a range of complex environmental, economic, political and cultural issues
LO4. locate, critique and synthesise diverse views, information and sources issues relevant to environmental and social issues
LO5. resolve geographical questions by ethical means, applying evidence-based knowledge and appropriate research techniques
LO6. communicate geographical perspectives and knowledge effectively to specialist and non- specialist audiences using appropriately selected written, oral and visual means
LO7. contribute effectively as a member or leader of diverse teams working in geographical or multidisciplinary contexts.

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all University of Sydney graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1	Depth of disciplinary expertise Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.
GQ2	Critical thinking and problem solving Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.
GQ3	Oral and written communication Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.
GQ4	Information and digital literacy Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.
GQ5	Inventiveness Generating novel ideas and solutions.
GQ6	Cultural competence Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.
GQ7	Interdisciplinary effectiveness Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.
GQ8	Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one’s personal and professional selves in an ethical context.
GQ9	Influence Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes	Graduate qualities
Learning outcomes

Responding to student feedback

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

Previous emphasis on single large items of assessment has shifted toward smaller, continuous assessment that allows students more frequent feedback to guide them through semester.

Additional information

Additional information about assessments, weekly readings and the weekly tutorial task will be provided on Canvas at the beginning of the semester.

Work, health and safety

We are governed by the Work Health and Safety Act 2011, Work Health and Safety Regulation 2011 and Codes of Practice. Penalties for non-compliance have increased. Everyone has a responsibility for health and safety at work. The University’s Work Health and Safety policy explains the responsibilities and expectations of workers and others, and the procedures for managing WHS risks associated with University activities.

General Laboratory Safety Rules

No eating or drinking is allowed in any laboratory under any circumstances
A laboratory coat and closed-toe shoes are mandatory
Follow safety instructions in your manual and posted in laboratories
In case of fire, follow instructions posted outside the laboratory door
First aid kits, eye wash and fire extinguishers are located in or immediately outside each laboratory
As a precautionary measure, it is recommended that you have a current tetanus immunisation. This can be obtained from University Health Service: unihealth.usyd.edu.au/

Disclaimer

The University reserves the right to amend units of study or no longer offer certain units, including where there are low enrolment numbers.

To help you understand common terms that we use at the University, we offer an online glossary.

Current students

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Early feedback task

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI)

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Support for students

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Attendance and class requirements

Study commitment

Required readings

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Additional information

Additional information

Work, health and safety

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links

GEOS1002: Introductory Geography

Semester 2, 2025 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Early feedback task

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI)

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Support for students

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Attendance and class requirements

Study commitment

Required readings

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Additional information

Additional information

Work, health and safety

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links