Durham University
Programme and Module Handbook

Undergraduate Programme and Module Handbook 2019-2020 (archived)

Module GEOG3631: GEOGRAPHIES OF HEALTH AND HEALTH CARE

Department: Geography

GEOG3631: GEOGRAPHIES OF HEALTH AND HEALTH CARE

Type Open Level 3 Credits 20 Availability Not available in 2019/20 Module Cap Location Durham

Prerequisites

  • Any Level 1 or Level 2 GEOG module.

Corequisites

  • None

Excluded Combination of Modules

  • None

Aims

  • To introduce different ways of understanding geographies of health and care through exploration of key concepts and theoretical approaches
  • To explore a range of applications and case studies to demonstrate health geography in practice
  • To promote critical reflection on research findings and their interpretation

Content

  • Introductory concepts: Health and the geographies of health, Geographical perspectives on health and health care
  • Geographies of risk and health: Mapping disease and ill-health, Risk perceptions, Infectious diseases, Psychosocial and mental health
  • Geographies of care and health: Health systems, Health promotion and policy, Healing places and therapeutic landscapes, Care for marginalised groups
  • Health, space and place; Health and environment, Health inequalities: poverty, deprivation and wealth

Learning Outcomes

Subject-specific Knowledge:
  • On successful completion of the module students will be able to:
  • demonstrate understanding of, and critically appraise, key approaches and debates in health geography
  • demonstrate understanding of, and critically appraise, complex relationships between health, space and place
Subject-specific Skills:
  • On successful completion of the module students will be able to:
  • relate wider conceptual debates to a range of specific empirical examples in the geography of health and care
Key Skills:
  • Critically assess material presented in lectures and wider reading
  • Effectively critique literature
  • Present logical written arguments
  • Articulate an argument through a visual presentation

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
  • Tutorials will allow students in smaller groups to discuss and appraise a range of key debates and examples in the geography of health and health care
  • Coursework will enable students to demonstrate detailed knowledge of specific theoretical and/or empirical aspects of the module
  • The unseen examination provides an effective and efficient assessment of candidates' ability to critically discuss the range of material delivered through lectures and wider reading

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Activity Number Frequency Duration Total/Hours
Lectures 14 Weekly 2 28
Tutorials 3 Term 1 & 2 1 3
Walking Tutorial 1 Term 1 1 1
Student Preparation & Reading 168
Total 200

Summative Assessment

Component: Coursework Visual Essay Component Weighting: 15%
Element Length / duration Element Weighting Resit Opportunity
Coursework Visual Essay Max 20 Powerpoint (or equivalent) slides 100% None
Component: Coursework Essay Component Weighting: 35%
Element Length / duration Element Weighting Resit Opportunity
Coursework Essay 5 pages 100% None
Component: Examination Component Weighting: 50%
Element Length / duration Element Weighting Resit Opportunity
End of Module Examination 1.5 hours 100% None

Formative Assessment:

Literature review with written 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