Module: GEO5000-20 Contested Geographies Histories and Debates

Level: 5

Credit Value: 20

Module Tutor: Heather Winlow

Module Tutor Contact Details: H.Winlow@bathspa.ac.uk

1. Brief description and aims of module:

This module will build on your understandings of key theories and debates in geography introduced in Level 4. You will further develop your analytical skills and wider knowledge of geography as an academic discipline and deepen your understanding of the role that geography and geographers can play in shaping the contemporary world. The module provides a theoretical and analytical basis for advanced independent learning in Level 6 modules, including the Geography Dissertation.

The module will provide an overview of some of the key trends in the historical and philosophical development of geography as a discipline. This will includes consideration of key thinkers and their theories and evaluation of their wider impacts on geography. You will critique the ways in which geographical knowledge is situated and structured in different times and places and consider the ways in which different theorists and sub-disciplines have approached key environmental and social issues. You will be involved in debating 21st century geographical problems. Throughout the module, you will consider the attributes that you as geography graduates can bring to the world of work (e.g. ethical awareness, understanding of global issues, wide skill-set) and evaluate the opportunities available to you. You will develop your digital literacy skills through the assessment for this module.

2. Outline syllabus:

The curriculum will be drawn from topics, which may include:

• Knowledge production/ situated knowledges/ paradigms

• Geography, science and society

• Key thinkers in geography: past and present

• Trends in Geographical Thought e.g. spatial science, feminist geographies, Marxist geographies, post-modern geographies, positivism, the scientific method, paradigm shifts, catastrophism versus uniformitarianism, Davisian and post-Davisian geomorphology, landscape evolution.

• Twenty-first century debates

• Developing as a Professional Geographer/ Developing Graduate Attributes

3. Teaching and learning activities:

Learning and teaching activities will include lectures and seminar activities including reading groups, debates, small group discussions and presentations and a one-day archive-based fieldtrip and careers workshops. The module will also be supported through IT training in video-clip production and website creation to support the assessment items. Preparatory and follow-up reading will be indicated.

Assessment Item 1:

• Assessment Type: Course Work

• Description: Video-Clip (2,000 words equivalent)

• % Weighting: 40%

Assessment Item 2:

• Assessment Type: Course Work

• Description: E-Portfolio with PDP element (3,000 words or equivalent)

• % Weighting: 60%