Undergraduate Programme and Module Handbook 2012-2013 (archived)

Module GEOG2621: THEORY AND CONCEPTS IN CONTEMPORARY HUMAN GEOGRAPHY

Department: Geography

GEOG2621: THEORY AND CONCEPTS IN CONTEMPORARY HUMAN GEOGRAPHY

Type	Tied	Level	2	Credits	20	Availability	Available in 2012/13	Module Cap	None.	Location	Durham

Tied to	L702
Tied to	F800
Tied to	LR79
Tied to	FR89
Tied to	X1F8
Tied to	LMV0
Tied to	QRV0
Tied to	CFG0

Prerequisites

None

Corequisites

None

Excluded Combination of Modules

None

Aims

To provide an introduction to key schools of thought and theoretical developments in human geography
To promote an appreciation of the theoretical aspects and diversity of contemporary human geography
To highlight the role of theoretical issues in the construction and of human geographical knowledge

Content

The module will cover significant schools of thought in contemporary Human Geography, including the following:
Marxist Geography
Feminist Geography
Post-Structuralism
Actor-Network Theory

Learning Outcomes

Subject-specific Knowledge:

On successful completion of the module students will be able to:
identify key theoretical schools of thought and associated issues in human geographical thought
show both a broad knowledge of a range theoretical schools of thought employed in human geography and a more specialist knowledge of one of these
demonstrate a critical awareness of Human Geographyâ€™s conceptual diversity and an awareness of the issues involved in abstract and theoretical debate within the discipline

Subject-specific Skills:

On successful completion of the module students will be able to:
read subject-specific theoretical arguments critically
to select relevant subject-specific theoretical arguments for use in later research
to weigh the relative merits of various subject-specific theoretical schools of thought
to locate subject-specific theoretical literature in electronic databases and other sources

Key Skills:

On successful completion of the module students will be able to:
communicate the results of research on a theoretical argument by means of a written essay
discuss critically theoretical models pertinent to contemporary social science debate

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

Lectures will provide the necessary breadth of coverage, overview and study guide required by the aims and objectives. These will be supported by additional reading lists, which will enable the student to build on information provided in the lectures
Seminars will provide students with the opportunity to discuss and develop ideas covered in the lectures
The essay will enable candidates to demonstrate their understanding of the issues in one specified area of contemporary human geographical theory
A two hour unseen examination will enable students to demonstrate their ability to demonstrate their knowledge of and critically evaluate a number of theoretical developments and associated approaches in contemporary human geography

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Activity	Number	Frequency	Duration	Total/Hours
Lectures	12	Term 1 and 2	2 hours	24
Lectures	2	Term 1 and 2	1hour	2
Seminars	3	Term 2	1.5 hours	4.5	■
Preparation and Reading				169.5
Total				200

Summative Assessment

Component: Examination		Component Weighting: 67%
Element	Length / duration	Element Weighting	Resit Opportunity
Unseen end of module examination	2 hours	100%
Component: Coursework		Component Weighting: 33%
Element	Length / duration	Element Weighting	Resit Opportunity
Essay	5 x A4 pages	100%

Formative Assessment:

Students will be asked to produce a glossary of key terms - full written feedback will be given

■ 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