Programmes

 

Majors

 

Breadth Module


Geography & Development

Academic Contributors

Shirley Chin Wei Lee (Programme Leader)
Norzurianie Hj Kamarulzaman (Coordinator)
Ahsan Ullah
Gabriel Yong
Izni Azrein bin Noor Azalie
Khairunnisa Haji Ibrahim
Dk. Noor Hasharina bte Pg. Haji Hassan
Siti Mazidah Haji Mohamad

Introduction

A detailed knowledge of the geography of developed and developing countries and regions, particularly their different histories and the resultant levels of development, is especially relevant in today’s increasingly polarised world.

While no single definition of ‘development’ is universally applicable, it is nevertheless a term that is generally used to describe a process that produces economic growth. Thus, we can differentiate between ‘developed’ and ‘developing’ based upon narrow economic indicators such as gross national product (GNP). However, this definition needs to be widened to include technological, social, political or environmental parameters that may contribute to improved standards of living. Indeed, it can be argued that differentiating between ‘rich’ and ‘poor’ based purely on monetary levels reflects a condescending view towards the latter. Using ideas such as location, linkages, patterns and mobility, the teaching will look for explanation behind geographical factors that impact on the various forms of development.

Relevance

The skills obtained while undertaking this Major are relevant to a broad range of career options. There is a growing recognition that a geographical perspective is becoming indispensible across government, business and industrial sectors. Employers identify spatial awareness and the power to think holistically as highly valuable abilities and relevant to a wide range of careers. Location-based services, resource distribution, sustainable development or transport are just four sectors where the skills and knowledge obtained on this Major can be applied.

Teaching themes

Students can follow a number of themes that examine different strands of development, particularly from a geographical perspective. This gives a number of focal points which students can develop. Following any particular theme is not intended to be prescriptive but it gives the programme a solid framework and identity. The themes are as follows.

Globalisation and regionalism

The main thrust of this theme deals with the spatial components (geographies) of socio-cultural, political and economic development. The modules within this theme examine how these geographies are influenced by space and the increased interconnectivity of socio-economic forces and political institutions across space. It also emphasizes how globalization impacts on socio-economic and political processes at local, national, regional and global scales.

Sustainability

The theme considers development on a broader scale and addresses the issues and necessary solutions to ensure that human society continues to exist on this planet without destroying the very planetary resources that support us. Sustainable development is held by many to offer a solution to this problem, although the definition and implications of sustainable development are hotly contested. The concepts and practices of sustainability are explained using examples from different spatial scales.

Cultures and trends in society

Societies and cultures continuously evolve, reflecting internal or external drivers. Some trends relate to particular social groups while some incorporate society in general. This theme intends to examine social trends from a spatial perspective, covering issues such as cosmopolitan identities, finances and consumption.

Level 1000 - Foundation Year

AD-1201 Spatial Patterns of Development
AD-1202 Population & Development

Level 2000 - Establishment Year

AD-2201 Qualitative and Quantitative Methods in Social Sciences
AD-2301 Resources and Development
AD-2302 Sustainable Resource Management
AD-2303 Applied Research Methods in Social Sciences
AD-2304 Economy and Society of Brunei Darussalam
AD-2305 Development and Planning Issues
AD-2306 Geographies of Consumption

Level 3000 - Discovery Year

AD-3301 Southeast Asia and The World
AD-3302 Place, Culture and Identities
AD-3303 Geographies of Gender and Development
AD-3304 Land Administration and Development
AD-3305 Urban Economy and Culture
AD-3306 Globalisation and Development
AD-3307 Sustainability Research through Experiential Learning

Level 4000 - Capstone Year

AD-4301 Academic Exercise I
AD-4302 BSB as a Sustainable City
AD-4303 Development Policy and Administration
AD-4304 Social Welfare and Protection
AD-4305 Migration, Mobility and Development
AD-4306 Academic Exercise II
AD-4307 Biomimicry
AD-4308 Landuse and Development
AD-4309 Financial Networks in Society
AD-4310 World Regional Geography
AD-4311 Virtual Geographies, Space and Culture