Human Geography Major

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Program Overview

The Human Geography program at UTSC is at the cutting edge of explorations into the spatiality of human activity and social inequalities. Human Geography is well placed to explore aspects of globalization, the complex relationships between society and the natural environment, as well as the social and economic issues of human land use and settlement. Students of Geography will find that it is an exciting and innovative program of study that can lead to a wide variety of careers in government, civil society and the private sector.

Complementary Programs: Major and Minor Programs in City Studies, Environmental Studies, Environmental Science, Geographic Information Sciences, International Development Studies

Check out future career opportunities and skills acquired from completing this program:

1. Competencies & Skills

  • Manipulate and map geographic data
  • Understand natural and social processes
  • Spatial aspects of social marginalization
  • Activism and resistance as spatial phenomena
  • How land and environment are understood, produced and contested
  • Knowledge of capitalist processes

2. Careers for Graduates

  • Policy Analyst
  • Urban Planner
  • Research or Outreach Coordinator in NGOs
  • Sustainability Coordinator
  • Mapping/Data Analyst in Planning/ Construction
  • GIS Analyst in Transportation Services
  • Development Worker in Non-Profits
  • Tourism Information Officer in Travel Services

3. Further Education

  • Geography
  • Urban Planning
  • Education
  • Sustainability/Environment
  • Public Service & Administration
  • Marketing

Program Pathway

Year 1
CHOOSE YOUR COURSES WISELY
       FOUNDATIONS OF HUMAN GEOGRAPHY:
DEVELOP YOUR ACADEMIC & RESEARCH SKILLS
  • GGRA02H3 and GGRA03H3 are designed to introduce you to geographic concepts such as space, scale, place, the body, and human/environment relations. You will develop critical thinking, reading, writing and research skills.
  • Use the library and CTL Writing Centre for support with your assignments.
  • Get writing support at the CTL Writing Centre.
APPLY THEORY TO PRACTICE
BECOME AN ENGAGED CITIZEN (LOCALLY & GLOBALLY)
PLAN FOR YOUR FUTURE CAREER
Year 2
CHOOSE YOUR COURSES WISELY

       THEORY AND CONCEPTS IN HUMAN GEOGRAPHY:

DEVELOP YOUR ACADEMIC & RESEARCH SKILLS

APPLY THEORY TO PRACTICE

BECOME AN ENGAGED CITIZEN (LOCALLY & GLOBALLY)

PLAN FOR YOUR FUTURE CAREER

  • Gain experience by applying for a summer, part-time or Work Study position via CLNx (>Jobs & Recruitment).
  • Get to know your professors and program advisors – you may need to use them as a reference for grad school.
  • Explore careers through the AA&CC’s Job Shadowing and In the Field Programs.
Year 3

CHOOSE YOUR COURSES WISELY

       METHODS:

DEVELOP YOUR ACADEMIC & RESEARCH SKILLS
APPLY THEORY TO PRACTICE
  • Contribute your writing skills to Canadian Geographic, the country’s fourth most-read magazine. They take on interns throughout the year at their head office in Ottawa. Editorial interns write for the magazine, website and blog, fact-check articles, research and develop stories.
BECOME AN ENGAGED CITIZEN (LOCALLY & GLOBALLY)
PLAN FOR YOUR FUTURE CAREER
Year 4 or Final Year
CHOOSE YOUR COURSES WISELY
       APPLICATIONS:
  • 5.5 additional credits at the C- or D-level in GGR Advanced Applications courses.
  • 1.0 credit at the D-level in GGR courses; check the UTSC Calendar for more details.
  • Use Degree Explorer to ensure you are on track to graduate.
  • Register your “Intent to Graduate” on ACORN by the deadline.
DEVELOP YOUR ACADEMIC & RESEARCH SKILLS
  • Explore independent research courses such as GGRD01H3 and GGRD31H3.
  • Conduct a 12-24 week research project at universities overseas through the Mitacs Globalink Research Award; provides $6000 for senior undergraduate and graduate students.
APPLY THEORY TO PRACTICE
  • Expand your professional network and consider interning at Science Horizons which supports green jobs for youth by providing wage subsidies to eligible employers to hire interns in environmental and clean technology sectors (Canada.ca >Science Horizon).
BECOME AN ENGAGED CITIZEN (LOCALLY & GLOBALLY)
  • Connect with Geography’s professional associations.
  • Participate in the AA&CC’s Partners in Leadership program to learn and network with an alumni mentor about transitioning into the work field or further education.
  • Use CLNx to search for Internships.
PLAN FOR YOUR FUTURE CAREER
  • Attend the AA&CC’s Get Hired job search conference in April/May.
  • Meet with your Program Supervisor/Advisor regarding applying to graduate studies; get your Personal Statement reviewed in the AA&CC.
  • Attend the Jobs for Grads orientation for a job search “crash course” and for access to full-time job listings.

Contacts

Did You Know

Geographers are well-positioned to understand and tackle local and global problems in an increasingly complex world.