Durham University
Programme and Module Handbook

Undergraduate Programme and Module Handbook 2012-2013 (archived)

Module GEOG1071: HUMAN GEOGRAPHY: SPACE AND PLACE IN A CHANGING WORLD

Department: Geography

GEOG1071: HUMAN GEOGRAPHY: SPACE AND PLACE IN A CHANGING WORLD

Type Tied Level 1 Credits 20 Availability Available in 2012/13 Module Cap None. Location Durham
Tied to QRV0
Tied to CFG0
Tied to F800
Tied to L702
Tied to LMV0
Tied to FGC0
Tied to X1F8

Prerequisites

  • None

Corequisites

  • None

Excluded Combination of Modules

  • None

Aims

  • To critically explore the relations between globalization and human geography
  • To use a variety of specific case studies to introduce the latest ideas in human geography about how space and place are changing in the context of globalization
  • To introduce students to a broad range of concepts and approaches in human geography, using scale, from global to local, as the organising framework

Content

  • The module is based on an examination of different scales of inquiry in relation to several substantive themes within human geography including:
  • Development, poverty and inequality
  • Global and local food geographies
  • Globalisation, health and people's bodies

Learning Outcomes

Subject-specific Knowledge:
  • On successful completion of this module students will be able to:
  • demonstrate comprehension of scale and knowledge of the diversity of human lifeworlds, the distinctiveness of place, and the production of variation and inequality
  • assess, judge and critically evaluate competing intellectual positions
  • critically engage with key issues in human geography
Subject-specific Skills:
  • On successful completion of this module students will be able to:
  • Critically judging and evaluating evidence
  • Abstracting and synthesising information
  • Developing a reasoned argument
Key Skills:
  • Self-directed learning
  • Written communication
  • Contextualizing information

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

  • The module is based on a programme of lectures
  • These provide the context in which facts and introductory concepts, contributing to building knowledge and understanding, are conveyed
  • Lectures are complemented by small group tutorials where concepts introduced in lectures can be explored in more detail
  • Full reading lists provide students with the means to undertake independent study and learning
  • Formative assessment and 50% of summative assessment is set, marked and returned to tutorial groups
  • Three essays (two summative) provide students with scope to explore in greater detail selected themes drawn from the module
  • The remainder of the summative assessment is based on an unseen examination paper designed to assess students' acquisition of the learning outcomes
  • Tutorials also provide a forum enabling the active acquisition of skills
  • NOTE: this module also includes a suite of pre-arrival study skills exercises, which are delivered to students electronically via duo for completion between early September and mid October (prior to the first tutorial meeting). Details can be found in the Formative Assessment text box below

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Activity Number Frequency Duration Total/Hours
Lectures 38 Twice weekly 1 hour 38
Tutorials 5 Five times annually 1 hour 5
Preparation and Reading 157
Total 200

Summative Assessment

Component: Examination Component Weighting: 50%
Element Length / duration Element Weighting Resit Opportunity
unseen written examination 2 questions in 2 hours 100%
Component: Tutorial Essays Component Weighting: 50%
Element Length / duration Element Weighting Resit Opportunity
tutorial essay 1 max.4 sides A4 50%
tutorial essay 2 max.4 sides A4 50%

Formative Assessment:

Prior to their first tutorial (scheduled for mid-October), students will be asked to complete a series of study skills tasks based around the following indicative themes: Exploring academic literature Critical reflection Effective essay writing (introductions, paragraphs and conclusions) Note taking How to avoid Plagiarism Time management Marking previously submitted essays The tasks will be made available to incoming students via duo during September, with an expectation that they will be completed prior to their first tutorial, so that comprehensive group feedback can be given. Other formative assessment includes one formative essay (max 4 x A4 sides) plus detailed feedback given on the two summative essays


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