GEOG20001 Environment and Society
University of Melbourne · Level 2 · 12.5 points · Runs in 2026: Semester 2.
- No final exam: all coursework
- About 3 class hours a week
- 20% group work
Is GEOG20001 hard?
GEOG20001: Easier. Makes it easier: Reviewers say the workload is light, No final exam.
What you learn
How society and nature are tangled together, and how ideas of 'nature' get used in environmental debates.
After it you can
- Compare theories of how society and nature relate
- Build a case-study argument from field observations
- Critique how ideas of nature are used in debates
What you need first
100 points of level 1/2 or “Admission into the Development Studies specialisation (formal) in the GC-ARTS Graduate Certificate in Arts”
What it leads to
How it’s assessed
Assignments 10%, Reports and essays 70%, Presentations 20%
Student reviews and ratings
Summarised from 5 students on StudentVIP (2016–2022)
- Very theoretical and more sociology than geography; suits students comfortable with arts-style content.
- Assessment criteria and feedback are repeatedly described as vague, making a high mark hard.
- Workload is light and tutorials can be engaging; assessments rely more on readings than lectures.
A summary of public reviews, not scored here.
Taken this subject? Rate it anonymously (difficulty, workload, marking, would you recommend it) and leave a tip for next year's students. Rate GEOG20001
Quick answers
- When is GEOG20001 offered?
- Runs in 2026: Semester 2.
- What do I need before taking GEOG20001?
- Needs 100 points of level 1/2 or “Admission into the Development Studies specialisation (formal) in the GC-ARTS Graduate Certificate in Arts”.
- Does GEOG20001 have a final exam?
- No, there is no final exam. Assessment: Assignments 10%, Reports and essays 70%, Presentations 20%.
- Is GEOG20001 hard?
- From 5 student reviews on StudentVIP: Very theoretical and more sociology than geography; suits students comfortable with arts-style content.
- What do students say about GEOG20001?
- Very theoretical and more sociology than geography; suits students comfortable with arts-style content. Assessment criteria and feedback are repeatedly described as vague, making a high mark hard. Workload is light and tutorials can be engaging; assessments rely more on readings than lectures.
- How many class hours a week does GEOG20001 have?
- 3 h a week in class
- Can I take GEOG20001 as breadth?
- Yes, for: Bachelor of Commerce, Bachelor of Fine Arts (Acting), Bachelor of Fine Arts (Animation), Bachelor of Fine Arts (Dance), Bachelor of Fine Arts (Film and Television), Bachelor of Fine Arts (Music Theatre), Bachelor of Fine Arts (Production), Bachelor of Fine Arts (Screenwriting), Bachelor of Fine Arts (Theatre), Bachelor of Fine Arts (Visual Art), Bachelor of Music.
- What can I take after GEOG20001?
- 2 subjects need it first, for example ENST30004, FRST20015.
- Can I rate GEOG20001?
- Yes. If you've taken it, rate it anonymously on this page (difficulty, workload, marking, would you recommend it) and leave a tip for next year's students. Averages show once 3 students have rated it; tips are checked before they appear.
Source: University of Melbourne Handbook 2026
Always confirm in the official Handbook.
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