What is Geography?
Geography is the study of earth spaces and places. Geographers are concerned with the distribution and patterning of physical and human phenomena in earth space, including the nature and magnitude of human impact on natural environments. Protecting sustainable environments and managing the earth’s valued resources – land, water and air – are of vital interest to geographers. The geographic concepts of place and landscape provide a framework for understanding the role of culture in the evolution and development of urban and rural landscapes. Political, social and economic processes, when examined from a spatial (geographic) and temporal (historical) perspective, enable students to appreciate and understand the dynamic processes associated with the development of local and regional landscapes.
The B.A. Major in Geography features two areas of specialization – Sustainable Resource Management or Urban and Social Sustainability, and also a General stream designed to broaden an understanding of physical and human geography. Theoretical and applied course work in each stream are designed to strengthen communication skills in oral, written and visual presentations, and to provide a range of transferable skills, notably in the areas of spatial analysis, remote sensing, and geographic information systems (GIS). Students will be challenged to think critically, analyze problems, and seek resolutions to conflicts, particularly in the fields of natural resource management and urban and social management.
Applying for Opportunities
Locating an internship is a collaborative process that is intended to simulate the experiences that students will likely encounter after they finish their academic experience. We do not use a placement model but rather an open employment model. The fall semester teaches students various methods and processes for finding and securing opportunities through a variety of means. Interested students apply for Internship positions that appeal to them (just like a regular summer job), they are interviewed by the employer and if successful, become employed. Often the best Internships are located by the student through the students’ own network or direct contacts. Also, internship opportunities are shared in class as well as posted through the CareerVIU Work-Integrated Learning portal.
Typically we do two assessments for each internship experience
- Midpoint Assessment; most often this is done in a face to face meeting with the student, the employer and Co-op Coordinator (me), or VIU designate.
- Final Assessment; this is completed by the employer and submitted to me, the Internship Coordinator
The student is also required to complete an Internship Presentation that highlights specific learning that occurred during the internship experience.
Available employment / Internship positions are posted through our web based portal, CareerVIU Work-Integrated Learning.
Before your Internship
A prerequisite for the internship is to successfully complete the fall semester assignments and discuss the specifics of the internship experience with the coordinator. Once the student secures an internship, the student completes a short internship proposal and submits it with the Internship Work Term Record. Once the Internship Coordinator approves the internship, a Letter of Agreement will be sent to the employer and the student to verify the experience.
During your Internship
Typically we do two assessments for each internship experience;
- Midpoint Assessment; most often this is done in a face to face meeting with the student, the employer, and Co-op Coordinator (me), or VIU designate. (Occasionally, we do online assessments as required)
- Final Assessment; this is completed by the employer and submitted to me the Internship Coordinator
The student is also required to complete an Internship Presentation that highlights specific learning that occurred during the internship experience.
Important Resources
Course resources are available in VIULearn and Internship resources are available through the CareerVIU Work-Integrated Learning portal.