Social geography and regional development

The field of study Social Geography and Regional Development is focused on the study of the spatiality of social life. At the Faculty of Science of Masaryk University, this is a traditional field of study, but its content changes as society changes, the interpretation of which is focused on the field, how geographical and other knowledge deepens and analytical methods improve. The field of study Social Geography and Regional Development is characterized by a comprehensive view, enabling the interpretation of social, economic, environmental, political and cultural processes in their interrelationships and broader contexts. Another characteristic feature of the field is the sensitivity to the scale of the studied phenomena and processes, ie the interest in the interpretation of processes taking place at different levels of the order and the recognition of the importance of the relationships between these levels.

Students are guided to the ability to communicate with specialists in related fields, while maintaining a synthesizing geographical view. This communication is facilitated by mastering the basic procedures of quantitative analysis, qualitative research and methods of cartographic visualization and analysis. The core of the field of study is the acquisition of knowledge of theoretical approaches and methods. At the same time, however, the study is significantly connected with practice, through lectures by specialists from practice, professional internships of students, the offer of cooperation of experts from practice for conducting diploma theses or excursions to geographical workplaces. The field of study is open to graduates of bachelor's studies in geography, cartography and related fields, including from other faculties and universities.

The possibility of continuing studies in the doctoral program Social Geography and Regional Development is also assumed.

After successfully completing his/her studies the graduate is able to:

• Graduates of Social Geography and Regional Development have a broad body of knowledge that can be used to critically interpret contemporary social, economic and environmental processes and issues.
• He/she is well versed in geographical theories of social development, is familiar with and able to critically evaluate and practically use the system of regional policy instruments and measures at European, national and regional level.
• He/she is able to independently obtain, create or search relevant geographic data, choose an appropriate analytical method or set of methods to find answers to a given question, apply the chosen methods and interpret their results.
• Graduates are also able to solve questions or problems considered multidisciplinary, either independently or in a team, depending on the nature of the problém, communicate on professional issues with specialists from related disciplines.
• Graduates can use their knowledge of practical regional policy practices in project cycle management or in the administration of regional development programmes. Graduates also have the basics of facilitation, useful in leading working groups.

Graduates find employment in a wide range of geographical, interdisciplinary and other workplaces. These include research institutions, universities, state and local government authorities at the state and regional levels, companies operating in the field of consulting or applied research, as well as non-profit organizations. Graduates of the study field of Social Geography and Regional Development in these organizations usually work as independent analysts, members of multidisciplinary teams, or managers.

The diploma thesis can be focused on solving general issues of social geography and regional development, usually deals with the selected area comprehensively or in terms of sub-disciplines - such as geography of population or transport, city or region development, regional policy issues. The work has the character of a professional study of basic or applied research. Its nature can be theoretical, empirical or methodological. In most cases, it is an original professional work, of course it is based on relevant literature (foreign and domestic, theoretical and application nature), it can use data available for secondary analysis. Depending on the nature of the assigned topic, the graduate also demonstrates mastery of contemporary methods of field, cartographic / geoinformatics, statistical and techniques, incl. applied character. Part of the work is also a research overview of the current state of the issue and a discussion of their own results in the context of current knowledge about the issue. The usual scope of the work is 60 to 80 pages of text, including diagrams, graphs, tables, maps and photo documentation. The work also contains bound or free appendices as needed (eg maps, plans, photo documentation, etc.).

Successful completion of the program allows for continuation of studies in the doctoral program Social Geography and Regional Development.