GG39920 - REGIONAL GEOGRAPHIES

Module Identifier	GG39920
Module Title	REGIONAL GEOGRAPHIES
Academic Year	2002/2003
Co-ordinator	Dr Martin R Jones
Semester	Semester 1
Course delivery	Lecture	22 Hours 11 x 2 hrs
	Seminars / Tutorials	2 hrs
Assessment	Semester Exam	2 Hours written examination	50%
	Semester Assessment	Course Work: one essay of no more than 3,000 words (40%), one team seminar presentation (5% for the team report, 5% for its oral delivery)	50%
	Supplementary Assessment	Resubmission of failed coursework and retaking failed examination. Team seminar marks (10%) to be carried forward.	100%

Learning outcomes

By the end of this module students should be able to:

Demonstrate knowledge of the intellectual evolution and development of regions in human geography;
Critically evaluate a number of conceptual and theoretical debates on region-formation, regional development and change;
Apply these knowledges and literatures to an analysis of the major changes that have impacted upon the regions and nations of Britain in recent debates;
Explain the major economic, political, socio-cultural, and territorial issues of relevance in contemporary debates on devolution and British 'regionalism';
Demonstrate awarenss of having understod and practised a number of personal and transferable skills, including critical thought, communication skills (both written and oral), interpersonal skills, and reading and writing skills.

Aims

This module analyses the changing role of 'regions in geography' by, first, exploring the intellectual development of regional geography and, second, examining a number of 'cuts, into the economic, socio-cultural and political geography of the United Kingdom. Part One of the module, therefore, draws on a number of theoretical approaches to regional change and development. Part Two applies these towards an understanding of different experiences, both through time and across space, taking place within Britain's regions and nations.

Content

The changing role of regions is examined through a discussion of the following themes:

Part One: Regions in Geography and Regional Geographers

Traditional regional geographies
Cultural regional geographies
Functional regions and spatial science
Marx in the region
The new regional geography
The new regionalism

Part Two: 'Actually Existing' Regional Geography

Regional planning in post-war Britain
Geopolitics of Thatcherism
Devolution in the UK: A Team debate
New regionalism in the UK
English regional questions

Reading Lists

Books
** Recommended Text
Allen, J. et al.. (1998) Rethinking the Region. Routledge ISBN 0 415 16822 8
Bradbury, J. & Mawson, J. (eds.). (1998) British Regionalism and Devolution. Jessica Kingsley ISBN 1 85302 370 1
Claval, P. (1998) An Introduction to Regional Geography. Blackwell ISBN 1 55786 733 X
Cooke, P. (ed). (1995) The Rise of the Rustbelt. UCL Press ISBN 1 85728 420 8
Chen, S. and Wright T. (2000) The English Question. Fabian Society ISBN 0 7163 6002 0
Hazell, R. (ed). (2000) State and the Nation. Academic Imprint ISBN 0 907845 80 0
Keating, M. (1998) The New Regionalism in Western Europe. Elgar
Le Gales, P. and Lequesne, C. (eds). (1998) Regions in Europe. Routledge ISBN 0 415 16483 4
Maar, A. (2000) The Day Britain Died. Profile ISBN 1 86197 223 7
Paasi, A. (1996) Territories, Boundaries and Consciousness. Wiley ISBN 0 471 96119 1
Parsons, W. (1998) The Political Economy of British Regional Policy. Routledge ISBN 0 415 00090 4