Education

Human geography in Lund

Human geography looks at the interaction between people and the spaces they live in. The way the earth looks like is a result of human activity. In our discipline we often ask why the world looks just like it is, for example: why do cities look the way they look? How do landscapes change and how do those changes come about? What is globalization? Is globalization “fair” and how does it influence countries and economies? Where do new and innovative companies locate and why exactly there? Why are some regions economically successful and not others?

A geography degree helps you to understand how things hang together in the world we live in, whether it is population development in the third world, integration of the Öresund region, trendy inner-city neighbourhoods or the locations of the Swedish music industry.

At our department you can read for a basic degree in human geography up to 80 points level. We also have research education that leads to Licentiate or Ph.D degrees. Most staff members are both teachers and researchers, and many Ph.D students play a part in basic teaching. In this way, students are in touch with the latest research questions and outcomes.

Although the department is called Department of Social and Economic Geography, development studies are an important part of our subject. Our Samhällsgeografi (Geography of Society) courses demonstrate how these three perspectives are in conflict with each other. Already at A-level you will find classes like ‘Three global challenges: population, resources and environment’, ‘Landscape change, urbanisation and the built environment’, and ‘Economy and society’. B-level courses elaborate on these themes and will also introduce you to spatial planning and GIS methods.

C and D level offer specialist courses in economic, social or third world geography, and you will also write a dissertation.

If you want to concentrate fully on third world issues then you also opt for the Development Studies program up to C-level. If you interested in the interplay between humankind and nature then you choose for the Geography program up till D level (in cooperation with the Physical Geography Department).

Human geography covers a wide range of topics – from landscape to globalisation. The scope of the subject is such that it will give you an excellent scientific base that can easily be combined with other academic subjects. If you would like to work with environmental issues, urban development, landscape changes or economic development, then human geography is a perfect subject for you.

If you want to acquire some special skills that will strengthen your position on the labour market then you can learn to work with GIS (geographical information systems) which is becoming an ever more common tool in for example spatial planning and marketing.

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