Module Identifier GG28310  
Module Title POLITICAL GEOGRAPHY  
Academic Year 2006/2007  
Co-ordinator Dr Rhys A Jones  
Semester Semester 2  
Other staff Dr Michael J Woods  
Course delivery Lecture   18 Hours.  
  Seminars / Tutorials   1 Hours.  
Assessment
Assessment TypeAssessment Length/DetailsProportion
Semester Exam2 Hours Unseen Examination. Answer two questions from four.100%
Supplementary Exam2 Hours Unseen Examination. Answer two questions from four.100%

Learning outcomes

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





Brief description

This module introduces students to key themes in contemporary political geography. The module is organised into two sections. The first section explores the influence of space and territory on state formation, state strategy and political identities at a variety of scales from the global to the local. This section introduces concepts including the nation and the nation-state, imperialism, critical geopolitics and the region, as well as examining contemporary issues including European integration, devolution and nationalism in the UK and the post 9/11 world order. The second section of the module explores the relationship between place, people and political action, including voting behavious, protest and active citizenship. It introduces concepts including the environmental and anti-globalisation movements and the results of recent British general elections.

Content

SECTION 1: SPACE, SCALE, TERRITORY AND THE STATE

  1. Geopolitics and the evolution of Political Geography
  2. Empire and Imperialism
  3. The State and Territory
  4. Nations and Nationalism
  5. Challenges to the UK Nation Sate I: European Integration (Seminar)
  6. Challenges to the UK Nation Satet II: Devolution and Regionalism
  7. Landscapes of Power

SECTION 2: PLACE, PEOPLE AND POLITICS

  1. Citizenship and Particiaption
  2. Electoral Geography
  3. Contesting Place

Module Skills

Problem_solving Problem solving will be indirectly addressed through some lecture content but not explicitly developed in the module.  
Research skills Students will be encouraged to develop their research skills through collating material from library and internet sources in preparation for the seminar.  
Communication Oral communication skills will be developed through the seminar: written communication skills will be developed and assessed through the examination.  
Improving own Learning and Performance Students should implicitly develop their skills in this area through the organisation of free-time reading and exam preparation. Not explicitly developed through the module.  
Team work Not developed through this module.  
Information Technology Students will be directed to source material from the internet in their preparation for the seminar.  
Application of Number Not developed through this module.  
Personal Development and Career planning Not explicitly developed through the module. The content of lectures and reading may indirectly encourage students to reflect on their own beliefs and views and may identify potential career paths for some.  

Reading Lists

Books
** Recommended Text
Jones, M., Jones, R., and Woods, M. (2004) An introduction to Political Geography Routledge
** Supplementary Text
Braden, K E & Shelley, F M (2000) Engaging Geopolitics
Heffernan, M. (1992) The Meaning of Europe (chapters 2 & 4)
Lowndes, V. in D Judge, G Stoker & H Wolman (eds) (1995) Theories of Urban Politics
O'Tuathail (1996) Critical Geopolitics
O'Tuathail, G., Dalby, S., and Routledge, P. (1997) The Geopolitics Reader
Taylor, P & Flint, C. (2000) Political Geography Prentice Hall
Zukin, S. (1991) Landscapes of Power: from Detroit to Disneyworld Berkeley: University if California Press

Journals
Harvey, D. (1979) Monument and Myth. Annals of the Association of American Geographers
Kearns, A J. (1992) Active citizenship and urban governance. Transactions of the IBG.
Pattie, C., Johnston, R., Dorling, D., Rossiter, D., Tunstall, H. & MacAllister, I. (1997) New Labour, new geography? The electoral geography of the 1997 British General Election, Area.
Routledge, P. (1997) The imagineering of resistance: Pollock Free State and the practice of postmodern politics. Transactions of the Institute of British Geographers
Toal, G. (2003) Re-asserting the regional: political geography and geopolitics in a world thinly known. Political Geography.

Notes

This module is at CQFW Level 5