Human Geography and Social Policy (with Foundation Year)

HUMAN GEOGRAPHY

Human Geography involves the study of the interrelationships between people, place, and environment, and how these vary spatially and temporally across and between locations shaping the lives and activities of people, and their interactions with places and nature. It covers many different perspectives and brings them together to create a distinctive way of understanding the world. Human Geography is more allied with the social sciences and humanities, sharing their philosophical approaches and methods.

Our degree investigates human-environment relationships offering you the chance to develop an integrated, enriched understanding of what is taking place on our planet particularly through, for example, the lens of tourism, exploring urban environments, small island settings or applied aspects of natural hazard management. In addition to specialising in human geographical dimensions, you will look at a wide range of different geographical topics and learn a broad range of skills. The overarching aim of our Human Geography degree is to provide students with opportunities to contribute to an environmentally sustainable and socially conscious future.

Liverpool is a particularly great place to study Human Geography, being an excellent case study of economic, environmental and social regeneration, and having surroundings that include rural and coastal settings.

SOCIAL POLICY

Social Policy explores the ways in which welfare provision is delivered in society, exploring who is eligible for support and who provides it. Our Social Policy degree is multidisciplinary in its approach and draws on ideas from sociology, economics, politics and geography. It explores issues such as inequality, ill health and wellbeing, child welfare, employment and unemployment, educational opportunities, disability, homelessness, family policies, mental health, globalisation, crime and immigration.

Studying Social Policy at Liverpool Hope University allows you to explore the answers to questions such as; should the state be the main provider of welfare and what roles should the private profit making or voluntary sectors have? How should scarce resources be allocated in society? How can we understand different approaches to welfare delivery across different historical periods in British society? Why do women and minority ethnic groups experience greater levels of disadvantage? How have welfare systems developed in different countries?

The degree draws on an experienced team of lecturers who are published in the social sciences and are experts in social policy. The School is also a member of the national network of Social Policy course providers and benefits from engagement with national subject debates. There are fieldtrips to enhance your learning, and we also have annual research days where leading academics, civil servants and politicians come to talk about various social problems and social issues.