The course introduces geographical perspectives on the nature and magnitude of global change. It sets out to provide an understanding of how human society arrived at the global crises which now face us. It looks at natural and human-generated processes and their impact on society and interaction one with another. The course looks at the causes of global change, the evolution and dispersal of humans as a result of global environmental changes, our ancestors attempts to manipulate and control their changing environment, and how this influenced population. It looks at the start of urbanisation and agriculture, and the subsequent globalisation of economic activity. The course finally looks at the impact of geographical knowledge and technology on the pre-industrial world. It provides the basis and explains the motivation underlying subsequent courses, particularly ZPEM1202 Geography 1B: Contemporary Global Change in second session. This course normally involves a 2-day field school.