Gwybodaeth Modiwlau

Module Identifier
GGM2740
Module Title
POSITIONING CULTURAL AND HISTORICAL GEOGRAPHY
Academic Year
2008/2009
Co-ordinator
Matthew Hannah
Semester
Semester 2
Co-Requisite
GGM2240
Co-Requisite
PGM0410
Co-Requisite
PGM0820
Co-Requisite
PGM0210
Other Staff
 

Course Delivery

Delivery Type Delivery length / details
Lecture 14 x 3 hours lectures
Seminars / Tutorials 14 x 2 hours Reading Group
 

Assessment

Assessment Type Assessment length / details Proportion
Semester Assessment PROJECT ESSAYS  Two project essays of no more than 7,000 words each, demonstrating a scholarly appreciation of key philosophical, epistemological and theoretical debates in cultural and historical geography (one at the end of each semester). (35% each)  70%
Semester Assessment RESEARCH JOURNAL  (6,000 words submitted in two stages) that reviews and critically evaluates the articles discussed within the human geography reading group and connects these to wider debates in human geography.  20%
Semester Assessment LEADING AND CHAIRING READING GROUP  Each student leads and chairs one human reading group, and their skill in doing this is assessed.  10%
Supplementary Assessment Two 7,000 word project essays addressing the main themes discussed in the formal teaching sessions. New essays will be set.  70%
Supplementary Assessment Research journal (6,000) that discusses and reflects upon the themes addressed in the reading groups  20%
Supplementary Assessment Preparation of a plan for a reading group discussion on specified readings, identifying key questions, and oral discussion of the plan in a one-to-one interview with a member of staff.  10%

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this module students should be able to:

_Sessions on Positioning Cultural and Historical Geography_
1. Demonstrate knowledge of the evolution of geographical thought, specifically in relation to key philosophical, epistemological and theoretical debates in cultural and historical geography;
2. Show an appreciation of the ways in which these concerns have been expressed through spatial, social, or natural processes;
3. Display knowledge of the ways in which philosophical, epistemological and theoretical issues are addressed through the doing of cultural and historical geography, focusing specifically on the key themes outlined above, alongside a selection of optional themes selected by the students.
4. Express an individual understanding and position on these debates, especially in relation to their own field of enquiry.

_Human Geography Reading Group_
5. Demonstrate competency in reviewing and critiquing key readings in cultural and historical geography;
6. Develop a range of skills in individual study, oral discussion, written presentations, and chairing discussions;
7. Evaluate these knowledges and positions within small group discussions containing both postgraduates and staff.

Content

_Section 1: Introduction_
Session 1. Introduction: Cultural and Historical Geography
Session 2: Histories of Geography
Session 3: Theories of Space and Time

_Section 2: Core Themes in Cultural and Historical Geography_
Session 4: Cultures of Nature and the Environment
Session 5: Approaches to Landscape
Session 6: Colonialism and Post-colonialism
Session 7: Visualities
Session 8: Representation/Practice

_Section 3: Specialist Option Seminars in Cultural and Historical Geography_
Sessions 9-13: Students will take 5 seminars from the following:

Performance/performativity
Geographies of science
Cultures of travel and mobility
Cultures of protest
Cultures of collecting
State formation: power and space
Geographies of music
Geographies of film
Modernism
Cartographic cultures
Space, place and identity
Geographies of art and architecture
Fictional geographies
Medieval geographies
Geographies of memory
Material cultures
Emotion and affect
Global cultures
More-than-human geographies
Geographies of technologies

_Section 4: Practising Cultural and Historical Geography_
Session 14: Cultural and Historical Geography in Practice

Brief description

This module will provide Masters-level students with an advanced knowledge of key debates within cultural and historical geography. Students will acquire an understanding, through reading and seminar-based discussion, of the following key themes in cultural and historical geography: the histories of geography; theories of space and time; interpretation of the cultural landscape in contemporary and historical contexts; cultural constructions of nature and environment; colonialism and post-colonialism; visualities; representation and practice. Following these key themes, students will select five seminars from the list of optional seminars detailed below. In addition, all students will participate in a final session entitled 'Cultural and Historical Geography in Practice' which will allow them to take a practice-based approach to exploring key themes in historical and cultural geography.

In addition, students undertaking this module are required to attend human geography seminars delivered by guest academic speakers, and the student-led Human Geography Reading Group in which IGES MA students discuss published readings in human geography.

Module Skills

Skills Type Skills details
Application of Number Some reading by students will discuss empirical research based on numerical analysis.
Communication Oral skills will be developed through the seminars attached to the main sessions and through their participation in the Human Geography Reading Group. Their oral skills are assessed in leading and chairing a reading group. Written communication is assessed through the Journal, in which students are required to critically evaluate selected readings. Written skills are also assessed through the two essays.
Improving own Learning and Performance Students will be expected to undertake a significant amount of self-directed study, including extensive reading for the project essays and reading groups. Students will be required to develop self and time-management skills and will receive guidance from the MA coordinator, the module coordinator and the coordinator of the session.
Information Technology Students will be expected to use information technology in the presentation of their coursework. They will also become familiar with the use of the Internet and the Web of Knowledge in the provision of academic writing¿for example on-line journals (assessed through the Project Essays).
Personal Development and Career planning Students who wish to pursue careers within the disciplines of cultural and historical geography, i.e. through further research and study, will be encouraged to situate themselves and their work within the particular aspects of the module.
Problem solving Developed through the 7,000 Project Essays - an independent piece of work demonstrating an appreciation of connections between philosophical, epistemological, and theoretical debates in cultural and historical geography.
Research skills Developed through the 7,000 project essays (see above) and the Journal, which requires readings, note-taking, and critical reflection.
Subject Specific Skills None: most of the above key skills straddle the boundary between generic M-level skills and subject specific skills in cultural and historical geography.
Team work The different elements of this module involve group-based discussions and activities. Team work is also required in the module main sessions and the reading group, where students are frequently required to discuss concepts and ideas within pairs and within a group setting. The key skills developed here include listening, reflecting, negotiating and debating.

Reading List

Recommended Text
Anderson, K., Domosh, M. and Thrift, N. (eds.) (2002) Handbook of Cultural Geography Sage Primo search Atkinson, D., Jackson, P., Sibley, D. and Washbourne, N. (eds) (2005) Cultural Geography: a critical dictionary of key concepts I.B. Taurius Primo search Barnes, T. and Duncan, J. (1992) Writing Worlds Routledge Primo search Bell, M., Butlin, R. and Heffernan, M. (1995) Geography and Imperialism, 1820-1940 Manchester University Press Primo search Blunt, A,, Gruffudd, P., May, J., Ogborn. M. and Pinder, D. (eds.) (2003) Cultural Geography in Practice Primo search Blunt, A. and McEwan. C. (eds) (2002) Postcolonial Geographies Continuum Primo search Cosgrove, D. and Daniels, S. (eds.) (1988) The Iconography of Landscape Cambridge University Press Primo search D. Cosgrove (ed.) (1999) Mappings Reaktion Primo search Daniels, S. (1993) Fields of Vision: landscape and national identity in England and the United States Polity Primo search Driver, F. (2001) Geography Militant Blackwell Primo search Duncan, J. and Ley, D. (eds.) (1993) Place/culture/representation Routledge Primo search Duncan, J., Johnson, N. and Schein, R. (eds) (2004) A Companion to Cultural Geography Blackwell Primo search Graham, B. and Nash, C. (eds) (2000) Modern historical geographies Prentice Hall Primo search Livingstone, D. (1992) The Geographical Tradition Blackwell Primo search Mitchell, D. (2000) Cultural Geography: A Critical Introduction Blackwell Primo search Rose, G. (2001) Visual Methodologies Sage Primo search Said, E. (1978) Orientalism Vintage Primo search Thrift, N. and Whatmore, S. (eds) (2004) Cultural Geography: critical concepts in the social sciences Routledge Primo search Cultural Geographies Primo search Environment and Planning D: Society and Space Primo search Journal of Historical Geography Primo search Progress in Human Geography Primo search

Notes

This module is at CQFW Level 7