Durham University
Programme and Module Handbook

Undergraduate Programme and Module Handbook 2023-2024 (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 2023/24 Module Cap Location Durham
Tied to L702
Tied to L704
Tied to L706
Tied to F800
Tied to F803
Tied to F805
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 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 development of human geographical knowledge as well as prevailing ideologies that influence social life

Content

  • The module will cover significant schools of thought in contemporary Human Geography, likely including the following:
  • Marxism
  • Feminist & Queer Theory
  • Postcolonial Theory
  • Post-Structuralism, Actor Network Theory, and New Materialism

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 Geography’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
  • formulation of argument and analysis
  • 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. Online lectures will be broken into “chunks” to be viewed asynchronously
  • Seminars will provide students with the opportunity to discuss and develop ideas covered in the lectures
  • Dropin Sessions will provide students with the opportunity to seek guidance on summative assignment
  • The essay will enable candidates to demonstrate their understanding of the issues in one specified area of contemporary human geographical theory
  • An online 24 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 14 Term 1 and 2 2 hours 28
Seminars 4 Term 2 and 3 2 hours 8
Drop-in sessions 1 Term 2 1 hour 1
Preparation and Reading 163
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: Coursework Component Weighting: 50%
Element Length / duration Element Weighting Resit Opportunity
Essay 5 x A4 pages 100%

Formative Assessment:

Formative assessment will be aimed toward preparation for the summative assessments and will be provided during seminars in Term 2. There are no written formative submissions.


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