Geography

This course introduces factors that affect the Earth's climate system, oceans, landforms, and living things. The primary emphasis is on earth’s paleoenvironment, geomorphology, and the study of landforms and processes in different environments. The key landscape characteristics of Asia are covered, along with crucial environmental challenges.

This course examines forms of economic development; changing location of economic activities and functions; implications for government and politics; and local strategies for growth and equity.

This course examines food systems and environments around the world. Topics covered include global food production and trade, agribusiness, food culture and politics, genetic engineering and organic food, food security and sovereignty, healthy dietary habits, sustainable food policy, Hong Kong and Chinese food culture, and the future of food. 

This course examines the human dimension of disasters which covers crucial concepts and theories, vulnerability and the causes of disasters, disaster risk reduction and management, post-disaster recovery and transversal issues such as culture and gender. The discussions encompass not only theoretical but also policy and practical materials and draw on examples and case studies from throughout the world with a particular focus on most vulnerable and marginalized areas and communities.

The course provides a detailed examination of the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) in the Korean peninsula. It discusses the ways the DMZ affects the population, the effects on the local environment, and how people navigate the existence of the DMZ in their daily lives. It also looks at the controversies or tensions between the two sides in the zone and how the international community can help to create a more stable environment in the region. 

This course provides some intellectual pathways from GY100. Human Geography is a broad subject and there may be changes in the particular topics from year to year. Topics to be discussed include Imperialism, East and West; contemporary geopolitics; concepts of “home” and Patriarchy; material aspects of globalization such as containerization and shipping; non-economic aspects of agglomeration in cities;  biopolitics and the geography of disease and viruses; the geography of affect or feelings; soundscapes and music.

This course examines the current major environmental issues related to the atmosphere, hydrosphere, lithosphere, and biosphere as well as looking at major threats posed by the environment itself in the form of natural hazards. In addition, the issue of a potential nuclear threat and the ever-increasing demand for energy are explored. Finally, the matter of sustainable development and intelligent management of the planet for present and future generations is addressed.