Durham University
Programme and Module Handbook

Undergraduate Programme and Module Handbook 2005-2006 (archived)

Module GEOG3161: GEOGRAPHY, GENDER AND CHANGE

Department: GEOGRAPHY

GEOG3161: GEOGRAPHY, GENDER AND CHANGE

Type Open Level 3 Credits 20 Availability Available in 2005/06 Module Cap 125. Location Durham

Prerequisites

  • Any Level 1 or level 2 module in Geography or other appropriate evidence.

Corequisites

  • None.

Excluded Combination of Modules

  • None.

Aims

  • To offer final year Geographers and others an opportunity to engage with advanced thinking on geography, gender and change as it has been developed around the world.
  • This requires both rigorous selection and an awareness of the multiplicity of debates and of available case studies.
  • The module therefore involves several aspects of scholarship and material which offer a valuable Final Honours opportunity.
  • All staff are involved in work at the cutting edge of research.

Content

  • Geography, gender and change will be explored at a range of scales, from the bodily to the global, using bodies and places around the world for students to explore themselves, the familiar and the other.
  • The body.
  • The home.
  • Work.
  • Cities.
  • Globalising gender?.

Learning Outcomes

Subject-specific Knowledge:
  • On successful completion of the module students are expected to be able to: explore selected issues in Geography, Gender and Change around the world, in depth, with an awareness of the wider complexities, and be able to address gendered geographies at a variety of scales, locations and periods to assess the continued remaking of places through social processes.
  • understand basic concepts of discourse, representation of gender, critical thinking, the nature of gender ad its variations over time and space, and of feminism, feminist methods and ethics in geography.
  • express a more advanced understanding of topics selected from the course, and be able to write an informed opinion and utilise detailed case studies for each topic.
  • reflect on gender and geography not only as something out there but also consider how geographers produce the diversity of knowledge about approaches to gender.
Subject-specific Skills:
    Key Skills:

      Modes of Teaching, Learning and Assessment and how these contribute to the learning outcomes of the module

      • The core of the material is developed through 21 two-hour teaching sessions of two hours duration (plus breaks).
      • Teaching sessions will normally include a presentation of at least one hour by staff, but will also use video clips, brainstorming, buzz groups and open discussion, with one poster session.
      • The group can be large, but because students have prior knowledge and strong opinions on many of the topics, it is profitable to encourage small group reflection and exposition in sessions to develop both scholarship and understanding.
      • Formative group work on posters will take themes into depth.
      • The diary will require students to explore their own experience and positionality over the whole period of the course.
      • The takeaway examination paper will provide the incentive for students to work on a wide spread of themes.
      • Selected reading lists will be provided, including websites.
      • Optional videos will be screened as an alternative to some reading.
      • Videos will also be available for loan.
      • The module strongly encourages students to develop a broad grasp at a basic level and to follow their own interests in some depth, thus capitalising on the availability of a wide range of material accessible to Level 3 students to promote the development of individual choice, judgement and application.

      Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

      Activity Number Frequency Duration Total/Hours
      Lectures 18 Weekly 1 hour plus 1 hour group work 36
      Tutorials 1 2 hours 2
      Seminars 1 2 hours 2
      Other (prior viewing of posters) 1 2 hours 2
      Preparation and Reading 160
      Total

      Summative Assessment

      Component: Diary Component Weighting: 50%
      Element Length / duration Element Weighting Resit Opportunity
      Individual gender diary 100%
      Component: Take away examination Component Weighting: 50%
      Element Length / duration Element Weighting Resit Opportunity
      Take away examination, students have one week from the issue of exam paper to submit ONE 2000 word answer 2000 words 100%

      Formative Assessment:

      Posters to be displayed in groups and evaluated by peers. Staff will give formative assessment and feedback.


      Attendance at all activities marked with this symbol will be monitored. Students who fail to attend these activities, or to complete the summative or formative assessment specified above, will be subject to the procedures defined in the University's General Regulation V, and may be required to leave the University