Module Identifier GGM2640  
Module Title POSITIONING CULTURAL GEOGRAPHY  
Academic Year 2006/2007  
Co-ordinator Dr Heidi V Scott  
Semester Semester 2 (Taught over 2 semesters)  
Co-Requisite GGM2240 , PGM0210 , PGM0820 , PGM0410  
Mutually Exclusive GGM2540  
Course delivery Lecture   42 Hours. (14 x 3 hour timetabled sessions)  
  Seminars / Tutorials   28 Hours. (Reading Group, 14 x 2 hour timetable sessions)  
Assessment
Assessment TypeAssessment Length/DetailsProportion
Semester Assessment PROJECT ESSAYS Two Project Essays of no more than 7,000 words, demonstrating a scholarly appreciation of key philosophical, epistemological and theoretical debates in cultural geography (one at the end of each semester - 35% for each essay).70%
Semester Assessment RESEARCH JOURNAL (6,000 words submitted in two stages) that reviews and critically evaluates the articles discussed within the human geography reading group and connects these to wider debates in human geography and cultural geography.20%
Semester Assessment ORAL PRESENTATIONS Within the reading groups.10%
Supplementary Assessment RESUBMISSION  100%

Learning outcomes

On successful completion of this module students should be able to:
Sessions on Positioning Cultural Geography (see assessment)
1. Demonstrate knowledge of the evolution of geographical thought, specifically in relation to key philosophical, epistemological and theoretical debates in cultural geography;   
2. Show an appreciation of the ways in which these concerns have been expressed through the spatial, social, or natural processes;
3. Display knowledge of the ways in which philosophical, epistemological and theoretical issues are addressed through the doing of cultural geography, focusing specifically on landscape interpretation, nature and environment, changing geographical thought, the relationship between space, place and identity, and issues to do with mobility, non-human cultural geographies and represenatation.
4. Express an individual understanding and position on these debates, especially in relation to their own field of enquiry.

Human Geography Reading Group (see assessment)
5. Demonstrate competency in reviewing and critiquing key readings in human and cultural geography;
6. Develop a range of skills in individual study, oral discussion, and written presentations;
7. Evaluate these knowledges and positions within small group discussions containing both postgraduates and staff.   

Content

Section 1: Introduction_
Session 1. Introduction: Imagining Human Geography and Cultural Geography
Session 2: Cultural Geography in Historical Context
Session 3: Current Theoretical and Methodological Debates

Section 2: Approaches to Cultural Geography_
 Session 4: Culture/Society/Nature
Session 5: Approaches to Landscape
Session 6: Space, Place and Identity
Session 7: Mobilities
Session 8: Practice and Performance
Session 9: Film, Sound, Music
Session 10: Biocentric Cultural Geographies
Session 11: Technology and Cultural Geography
Session 12: Worlding Geographies
Session 13: Representation/Non-Representation/Multi-Representation

Section 3: Futures_
 Session 14: Where Next for Cultural Geography?

Brief description

This module will provide Masters-level students with knowledge of debates within the broad sphere of cultural geography. Students will acquire an understanding, through reading and seminar-based discussion, of the following contemporary themes in cultural geography: iconography and interpretation of the cultural landscape; cultural constructions of nature and environment; creative and imaginative aspects of geographical thought and practice, including the arts of mapping; the relationship between space, place and cultural identity; mobility; non-human cultural geographies; represenatation.

In addition to the 14 sessions detailed below, students on this module also attend a Human Geography Reading Group, which involves selected readings from across geography and seminar presentations by visiting speakers. They are required to complete a journal that covers selected readings and also to participate in oral debate and discussion with academic staff.

Module Skills

Problem_solving Developed through the 7,000 Project Essays-an independent piece of work demonstrating an appreciation of connections between philosophical, epistemological, and theoretical debates in cultural geography.  
Research skills Developed through the 7,000 project essays (see above) and the Journal, which requires readings, noting taking, and critical reflection.  
Communication Oral skills will be developed through the seminars attached to the main sessions and more specifically in relation to individual participation in the Human Geography Reading Group. Oral skills are assessed in the oral presentation. Communication is also assessed through the marking of the Journal, which communicates critical evaluations on selected readings. Written skills will be assessed through the written submissions.  
Improving own Learning and Performance Students will be expected to undertake a significant amount of self-directed study, including extensive reading for the project essay. 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.  
Team work Both elements of this module involve group-based discussions and activities. Team work is also required in the module main sessions and the reading group, where students are frequently required to discuss concepts and ideas within pairs and within a group setting. The key skills developed here: listening, reflecting, negotiating and debating.  
Information Technology Students will be expected to use Information Technology in the presentation of their coursework. They will also become familiar with the use of the Internet and the Web of Knowledge in the provision of academic writing - for example on-line journals (assessed through the Project Essays).  
Application of Number Some reading by students will discuss empirical research based on numerical analysis.  
Personal Development and Career planning Students who wish to pursue careers within the discipline of cultural geography, i.e. through further research and study, will be encouraged to situate themselves and their work within the particular aspects of the module.  
Subject Specific Skills None: most of the above key skills straddle the boundary between generic M-level skills and subject specific skills in cultural geography.  

Reading Lists

Books
** Recommended Text
Anderson, K., Domosh, M. and Thrift, N. (eds) (2002) Handbook of Cultural Geography Sage
Creswell, T. (2001) The Tramp in America Reaktion
Dixon, D. and Cresswell, T. (eds) (2003) Engaging Film: Geographies of Mobility and Identity Rowman & Littlefield
Duncan, J., Johnson, N. and Schein, R. (eds) (2004) A Companion to Cultural Geography Blackwell
Gregory, D. (1994) Geographical Imaginations Blackwell
Matless, D. (1998) Landscape and Englishness Reaktion
Mitchell, D. (2000) Cultural Geography: A Critical Introduction Blackwell

Notes

This module is at CQFW Level 7