What is geography? What do geographers do? What does geography contribute to understanding the world? These are questions that you are bound to be asked at some point over the next few years, whether by a relative or a prospective employer. But what would your answer be? This module is intended to answer these questions by examining central issues to geographical enquiry, and exploring critical dimensions of significant sub-disciplines within human geography

This module investigates the particular ways that human geographers ask questions and contribute to understandings of the world. We consider the key ideas that geographers use – a way of looking at the world that is often called the geographical imagination. Ideas, arguments and debates discussed in this module will underpin work throughout your degree. By the end of the module you will be able to answer with confidence and with critical reflection questions such as What is human geography? What do human geographers do – both within and beyond universities? What are the important topics and questions being asked in sub-disciplines of human geography?

1. Identify and summarise key geographical concepts;
2. Apply key concepts to empirical examples;
3. Describe and critically examine important contemporary debates in human geography sub-disciplines;
4. Synthesise learning to develop a critically informed and reflective awareness of the Geographical Imagination.

The module will be delivered through lectures and seminars, in-person and on campus unless mitigating circumstances arise. Seminars will enable small group discussion about key issues relevant to the module. Students are expected to engage with additional module content on Learning Central e.g. readings or other material, to prepare for lectures and seminars, and to supplement and deepen taught components.

1. Subject-related:

• Develop knowledge on key issues and concepts that are recurrent to human geography as a discipline.
• Develop knowledge of issues and concepts in the main sub-disciplines of human geography.
• Be able to apply geographical knowledge to the contemporary world in a critical manner.
• Possess the ability to make connections between different geographical concepts, issues and debates across sub-disciplines.

2. Transferable:

• Develop an appreciation of the need for a reflective awareness, and a constructively critical attitude to empirical and theoretical claims
• Develop communication and interpersonal skills
• Development skills and knowledge of using the library, internet and Learning Central.
• Develop the ability to comprehend conceptual and factual material.
• Possess the ability to write clearly, concisely and competently.

3. Values/attitudes:      

• Understanding the values, norms, attitudes and conventions characterising human geography as a discipline and the various sub-disciplines.
• Develop understanding of the different viewpoints and interpretations constituting geographical analysis.
• Be able to present reasoned arguments demonstrating critical thinking and evaluation of human geography concepts, issues and debates.

A blend of coursework and portfolio assessment

Formative Assessment

Formative assessment takes place throughout the module.  There are learning checks in every lecture and the workshops which support the assessments provide an opportunity for peer to peer and tutor feedback.

THE OPPORTUNITY FOR REASSESSMENT IN THIS MODULE:

Re-assessment

Students are permitted to be reassessed in a module which they have failed, in line with University regulations. https://intranet.cardiff.ac.uk/staff/teaching-and-supporting-students/teaching-support/academic-regulations. You will only be reassessed on the components of the module in which you have failed. The format of the reassessment will be the same as the original assessment and will take place in the Summer re-sit period.

Data Collection and Ethical Approval

For some assessments, students may be required to collect their own data. In such assessments ethical approval from the School Research Ethics Committee must be obtained before data collection can begin. The module leader will discuss the process for obtaining ethical approval if it is needed in this module. Ethical approval is not needed for students using existing, open data sets (e.g. anonymised secondary data). This does not include social media data (e.g., Twitter or Facebook posts), where ethical approval must be obtained. The ethical approval process will take time and you are strongly recommended to adhere to the timetable outlined by the module leader to ensure you are not delayed in your assessment.

This module examines the following questions:

• What is human geography?
• What do human geographers do – both within and beyond universities?
• What are the important topics and questions being asked in sub-disciplines of human geography?
• What are the important debates taking place within human geography?
• What contribution does human geography make to public policy and society?

The module explores these questions by looking at important generic issues and concepts in human geography in the first part of the module, followed by an exploration of approaches and debates in various sub-disciplines in the second part.  The former will include examining topics such as mapping; scale, space and place; and time.   The latter will involve exploring important concepts and debates in various sub-disciplines of human geography, including economic, political, social, cultural and environmental geography.  We also spend time discussing the assessment for the module and how the expectations might be different to the types of assessment you have been used to.