Module Information

Module Identifier
GGM3120
Module Title
Key Concepts and Debates in Human Geography
Academic Year
2016/2017
Co-ordinator
Dr Gareth Hoskins
Semester
Semester 1
Other Staff
 

Course Delivery

Delivery Type Delivery length / details
Seminar 11 x 2 Hour Seminars
 

Assessment

Assessment Type Assessment length / details Proportion
Semester Assessment Two extended essays (2,500 words each)  100%
Supplementary Assessment Resubmission of failed assessments.  100%

Learning Outcomes

  1. Show a critical understanding of the key paradigms and approaches that have shaped human geographic research over the past 50 years.
  2. Demonstrate a reflexive grasp of concepts explored in this module, their interconnections, and how these concepts have been developed and used in human geography and related disciplines.
  3. Exhibit knowledge of a range of theoretical perspectives that are brought to bear on the construction and deployment of these concepts in geographical and related literatures.
  4. Express an individual understanding and position on: i) debates relating to key geographic concepts; and ii) wider debates and theoretical developments in human geography.
  5. Demonstrate advanced skills in crafting and presenting a scholarly argument in written form as well as in engaging in academic debate and discussion.

Brief description

The module will be delivered in a standard seminar format, based on intensive readings and involving continuous student participation.

Content

Unit 1: Situating Human Geography
1. Geography - a brief history
2. Space, Place and Time
3. Nature and Society
4. Humanistic Geography
5. Materializing Human Geography, or, Post-Humanistic Geography

Unit 2: Practicing Human Geography
6. Mobilizing Human Geography
7. Affect and Emotion
8. Performance and Place
9. Collaborative Geographies
10. Ethical and Moral Geographies
11. Student-led session/module review

Module Skills

Skills Type Skills details
Application of Number Some readings will discuss numerical analysis.
Communication Oral skills will be extensively developed through discussion in seminars. Written communication skills developed through 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. 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 develop their IT skills in researching and presenting their written work. In particular, they will be expected to make use of varied online resources (such as online library or archival databases) in conducting research for the extended essays.
Personal Development and Career planning Students will be expected to develop a series of transferable skills relating to oral, graphic and written reports, teamwork and time-management. In addition, students who wish to pursue academic careers within human geography will be encouraged to situate themselves and their own work in relation to concepts, theories and ideas that are presented in the module.
Problem solving Developed through the two 2,500-word extended essays. These are independent pieces of work demonstrating an appreciation of connections between philosophical, epistemological, and theoretical debates in human geography.
Research skills Developed through the two 2,500-word essays (see above).
Subject Specific Skills Understanding and appreciation of the development and application of various theories and concepts in Human Geography
Team work The module will involve group-based discussions and activities. Students will frequently be required to discuss concepts and ideas within pairs and within a group setting. The key skills developed here are listening, reflecting, negotiating and debating.

Notes

This module is at CQFW Level 7