Overview
Topics of current interest in human geography; tutorials, field and practical work as required.
Through this course students engage with key contemporary global/regional events, issues and changes through geographical lenses. Migrant workers are a global phenomenon as they work in many different countries, employment contexts and contribute hugely to economic and social development in the contemporary world. Some work transnationally crossing national borders, others are migrant workers in their own countries who travel for employment in other parts of the country.
Using a migrant worker lens we will be exploring a range of global contexts where workers, employers, families are all included whether as employees, labour brokers, ‘left-behind’ children as parents transmigrate or migrate internally to seek out better prospects and lives for their families.
About this paper
| Paper title | Special Topic in Human Geography |
|---|---|
| Subject | Geography |
| EFTS | 0.15 |
| Points | 18 points |
| Teaching period | Not offered in 2026 (On campus) |
| Domestic Tuition Fees ( NZD ) | $1,318.20 |
| International Tuition Fees | Tuition Fees for international students are elsewhere on this website. |
- Prerequisite
- GEOG 102 or 108 points
- Schedule C
- Arts and Music, Science
- Eligibility
Students must contact the School of Geography prior to enrolling in this paper to discuss course content.
- Contact
- More information link
- View further information about GEOG 379
- Teaching staff
Course Co-ordinator: Professor Tracey Skelton
- Textbooks
A range of readings (textbook and journal) will be offered via eReserve.
- Graduate Attributes Emphasised
Global perspective, Interdisciplinary perspective, Scholarship, Communication, Cultural understanding, Environmental literacy, Research, Self-motivation, Teamwork.
View more information about Otago's graduate attributes.- Learning Outcomes
Students who successfully complete the paper will:
- Examine contemporary events, issues and changes through geographical lenses
- Explore a selection of contemporary issues in great depth
- Apply geographical knowledge to specific contexts
- Learn to co-operate and delegate learning and research tasks within through their peer-learning
- Practice and develop skills in data acquisition from a range of sources
- Conceptually frame data within scholarly debates and contexts
- Present a set of coherent analyses and arguments from geographical perspectives determined by the topic area selected and the subsections within this
- Produce a range of visual texts and written assignments.
- Assessment details
Internal Assessment 60% – 30% Small Group Research Project and 30% Individual Assignment (selected from a range of set topics)
Final Examination 40% – Answer two of four examination questions