Module Information
Module Identifier
GG12610
Module Title
ENGAGING HUMAN GEOGRAPHY
Academic Year
2009/2010
Co-ordinator
Semester
Semester 2
Other Staff
Course Delivery
| Delivery Type | Delivery length / details |
|---|---|
| Lecture | 20 Hours. 20 x 1 hr |
Assessment
| Assessment Type | Assessment length / details | Proportion |
|---|---|---|
| Semester Exam | 2 Hours Unseen examination. Answer two short-answer questions and one long-answer question | 100% |
| Supplementary Exam | 2 Hours Re-sit exam | 100% |
Learning Outcomes
- Demonstrate knowledge of significant events, figures and contributions in the history of Human Geography
- Summarise and critique the key points in contemporary debates in Human Geography
- Position topics studied in other Human Geography modules in the wider context of the discipline
- Demonstrate an awareness of an ability to engage with a range of information sources available to human geographers
Aims
This module aims to provide students with a context for their study of Human Geography through an introduction to the history, practice and key contemporary debates of the discipline.
Content
Section 1 (lectures 1 - 5): The history of human geography.
Section 1 introduces the course and examines the conception of human geography, geographical description and geographical explanation in the era from Columbus's discovery of the Americas in 1492 to the birth of Modern human geography c. 1900. It introduces the key developments that frame the contemporary debates of Section 3.
Section 2 (lectures 6 - 10): The practice of human geography.
Section 2 introduces the ways in which contemporary human geographers observe, describe and explain geographical phenomena. Lectures will include discussion and illustration of the practice of geographical research and the use of theory in human geographical analysis. Lectures will also consider the place and purpose of human geography and its role in informing policy and politics.
Section 3: (lectures 11 - 20): Contemporary debates in human geography.
Section 3 introduces some contemporary concepts and debates in human geography. Topical themes include geographies of the media and nature-society relations, which are used to introduce students to key debates on: geographical understandings of place and space, contemporary processes of globalisation, the relationship between the state and society, postcolonial geographies and how non western understandings of geography and geographical issues might differ from those which dominate our universities.
Section 1 introduces the course and examines the conception of human geography, geographical description and geographical explanation in the era from Columbus's discovery of the Americas in 1492 to the birth of Modern human geography c. 1900. It introduces the key developments that frame the contemporary debates of Section 3.
Section 2 (lectures 6 - 10): The practice of human geography.
Section 2 introduces the ways in which contemporary human geographers observe, describe and explain geographical phenomena. Lectures will include discussion and illustration of the practice of geographical research and the use of theory in human geographical analysis. Lectures will also consider the place and purpose of human geography and its role in informing policy and politics.
Section 3: (lectures 11 - 20): Contemporary debates in human geography.
Section 3 introduces some contemporary concepts and debates in human geography. Topical themes include geographies of the media and nature-society relations, which are used to introduce students to key debates on: geographical understandings of place and space, contemporary processes of globalisation, the relationship between the state and society, postcolonial geographies and how non western understandings of geography and geographical issues might differ from those which dominate our universities.
Module Skills
| Skills Type | Skills details |
|---|---|
| Application of Number | Not developed through this module. |
| Communication | Written communication skills will be developed and assessed through the examination. Occasional discussion during lectures will be encouraged. |
| Improving own Learning and Performance | Students should implicitly develop their skills in this area through the organization of free-time reading and exam preparation. Not explicitly developed through the module. |
| Information Technology | Students will be encouraged to source material from a range of paper and electronic outlets. |
| Personal Development and Career planning | Not explicitly developed through the module, though the content of lectures and reading may indirectly encourage students to reflect on their own beliefs and views. |
| Problem solving | Problem solving will be indirectly addressed through some lecture content but not explicitly developed in the module. |
| Research skills | The module encourages students to consider theoretical developments in the discipline and the variety of methods that are associated with them |
| Team work | Not developed through this module |
Reading List
Essential ReadingGregory, Derek (May 2009) The Dictionary of Human Geography 5th ed. Wiley-Blackwell [Imprint] Primo search Recommended Text
(2005.) Introducing Human Geographies /edited by Paul Cloke, Philip Crang and Mark Goodwin. 2nd ed. Hodder Arnold Primo search Clifford, N J et al (2009.) Key concepts in geography /edited by Nicholas J. Clifford ... [et al.]. 2nd ed. SAGE Primo search Johnston, R.J. and Sidaway, J.D, (2004) Geography and Geographers: Anglo-American Human Geography since 1945 London: Arnold Primo search Supplementary Text
Livingstone, David N. (1993 (various p) The geographical tradition :episodes in the history of a contested enterprise /David N. Livingstone. Blackwell Publishers Primo search
Notes
This module is at CQFW Level 4