Module Identifier GG25610  
Module Title GEOGRAPHIES OF LATE CAPITALISM  
Academic Year 2006/2007  
Co-ordinator Dr Gareth C Hoskins  
Semester Semester 1  
Other staff Miss Julie Ann Macleavy  
Pre-Requisite Registration for Single or Joint Honours Degree Schemes in geography or attendance at one or more of GG/DA 10110, 10210, 10310, 12610  
Course delivery Lecture   20 Hours. 10 x 2 hours  
  Seminars / Tutorials   0 Hours.  
Assessment
Assessment TypeAssessment Length/DetailsProportion
Semester Exam2 Hours Unseen Examination Paper (complete two from four question set)100%
Supplementary Exam2 Hours Unseen Examination Paper (complete two from four question set)100%

Learning outcomes

On successful completion of this module students should be able to:
  1. Describe and evaluate the key economic and socio-political processes shaping the geographies of contemporary Britain
  2. Appreciate and appraise a range of theoretical interpretations that account for the processes of change
  3. Identify and evaluate a range of data sources and methods that may be used in studying economic and social change and policy engagement
  4. Show evidence of the depth of their reading, interpretation and evaluation of current academic and policy practice through the marshalling of an argument in written form.

Aims

Against a background of global change, this module aims to examine and interpret the key changes taking place in Britain's contemporary capitalist space economy and its associated social and political order.

Brief description

Change has characterised the economic and social landscape in most nations producing uneven geographies and contrasting patterns of devlopment. Understanding of the processes driving these changes and recognition of the importance of locality and region has led to new conceptual and theoretical insights in the social sciences to which geographers are major contributors. This module explores the interconnection of economic, socio-political change planning and policy in shaping region and locality in Britain within the context of a globalising space economy. The themes addressed in this module include:

  1. Perspectives on post-war change: globalization and national response
  2. Geographies of deindustrialisation and reindustrialisation
  3. New industrial spaces
  4. Keynsian welfarism
  5. Schumpeterian workfare states
  6. From central state to market: spatial divisions of welfare in housing, education and health-care
  7. Geography and social change: shifting maps of class and life-style
  8. The consequences of change for localities and communities
  9. From local government to local governance: citizenship and participation
  10. Future agendas: regional, urban and rural policy initiatives

Module Skills

Problem_solving The themes addressed in the module identify the challenges facing policy and planning and students are required to be aware of the nature of such problems and reflect critically on strategies that have been adpoted to address them.  
Research skills Will be developed and expanded through the range of reading and web-based policy sources examined in support of this module.  
Communication The ability to write effectively on the themes covered will be assessed in the examination. Discussion in the lecture period will be encouraged but not assessed.  
Improving own Learning and Performance This module requires an additional three hours self-directed work for each one hour taught - this will necessitate that each student develops self-management and time managment skills.  
Information Technology Students will be introduced to the availability, use and evaluation of data and other material derived from on-line sources. Such material may be cited in answers offered on the examination paper.  
Application of Number Some quantitative data will be included as source material in lectures. Students will be expected to be able to use and interpret such data, where appropriate in their interpretation of  
Personal Development and Career planning The themes addressed in this module provide an important context through which to consider various future career and life paths.  
Subject Specific Skills No additional subject-specific skills are developed, existing ones may be practiced in the examination.  

Reading Lists

Books
** Recommended Text
Hudson, R. and Williams, A.M. (1995) Divided Britain. 2nd edition. Wiley 1852931116
Mohan, J. (1999) A United Kingdom? Economic, Social and Political Geographies. Arnold. 034067752X
Pinch, S. (1997) Worlds of Welfare: understanding the changing geographies of social welfare provision. Routledge 0415111897

Notes

This module is at CQFW Level 5