Durham University
Programme and Module Handbook

Undergraduate Programme and Module Handbook 2023-2024 (archived)

Module GEOG1071: HUMAN GEOGRAPHY

Department: Geography

GEOG1071: HUMAN GEOGRAPHY

Type Tied Level 1 Credits 20 Availability Available in 2023/24 Module Cap None. Location Durham
Tied to L702
Tied to L704
Tied to F800
Tied to F803
Tied to LA01
Tied to LA02
Tied to LA03
Tied to LMV0
Tied to LMV1
Tied to LMV2
Tied to LMVA
Tied to LMVP
Tied to CFG0
Tied to FGC0
Tied to CFG1
Tied to CFG2
Tied to X1F8
Tied to X2F8
Tied to X3F8
Tied to X4F8

Prerequisites

  • None

Corequisites

  • None

Excluded Combination of Modules

  • None

Aims

  • To introduce students to the core concepts in human geography, including, in particular, Space/Place, Scale, World, Home, Body, Landscape and Nature
  • To introduce students to the various approaches human geographers have used to understand and develop these concepts in response to specific societal challenges.
  • To use a variety of case studies to illustrate core concepts and approaches in human geography.

Content

  • The module examines the above core concepts within human geography. Where appropriate, it showcases how research currently being undertaken by members of the Geography Department makes use of these concepts in order to understand and intervene in contemporary debates and societal challenges. To reflect the unique expertise of the teaching team, a combination of four of these concepts is introduced in any given year.
  • The module is taught in distinctive lecture blocks each of which addresses one of the above mentioned core concepts.

Learning Outcomes

Subject-specific Knowledge:
  • On successful completion of this module students will be able to:
  • Demonstrate comprehension of a range of human geographical ideas, concepts and approaches.
  • Understand how and why geographers have developed new approaches in response to contemporary challenges and epistemological problems.
  • To recognise how differing ideas, concepts and approaches are reflected in research and in response to the diversity of places, meaning, human lifeworlds and the production of difference and inequality.
  • To 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 judge and evaluate evidence
  • Abstracting and synthesising information
  • Developing a reasoned argument
Key Skills:
  • Self-directed learning, including basic research, and critically-engaged reading
  • Written communication, including argumentation
  • Contextualising information

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

  • The lectures provide the context in which the core concepts and related research case studies are conveyed, contributing towards building disciplinary knowledge and understanding.
  • Lectures are complemented by:4 small group tutorials where key skills relevant to undergraduate study are developed.
  • Reading lists provide students with the means to undertake independent study and learning.
  • Non-examination assessment is marked and returned by tutors, who will provide individual feedback to support student development.
  • A dedicated essay writing workshop will be organised to help develop writing skills.
  • Two coursework essays (one formative, one summative) provide students with the opportunity to explore in greater detail selected themes drawn from the module.
  • The four tutorials contribute to the module learning outcomes by providing students the opportunity to demonstrate their comprehension of module content, to evaluate evidence, synthesise information, and communicate complex information.
  • The end-of-year unseen examination paper is designed to assess students' acquisition of the learning outcomes

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Activity Number Frequency Duration Total/Hours
Lectures 38 Twice weekly 1 hour 38
Tutorials 4 Four times annually 1 hour 4
Essay Writing Workshop 1 Once 1 hour 1
Preparation and Reading 157
Total 200

Summative Assessment

Component: Examination Component Weighting: 50%
Element Length / duration Element Weighting Resit Opportunity
Online 24 hour unseen examination 2 hours (recommended) 100%
Component: Essay Component Weighting: 50%
Element Length / duration Element Weighting Resit Opportunity
Essay Max 4 pages A4 100%

Formative Assessment:

Formative assessment will take place in the form of a formative essay (max 4 x A4 sides). Further formative feedback and feedforward will be based on tutorials assignments, tutorial discussions and a writing workshop.


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