This module provides a broad historical overview of the development of geographical thought, illustrated through the work and legacy of selected key thinkers from the nineteenth century to the present. 

Within this historical framework the module will introduce the enduring intellectual themes and currents which have shaped the discipline. It will provide students with an introduction to the foundations of geographical thought and will show how theoretical developments follow from one another, as the perceived weaknesses in one set of theories give rise to another contrasting set of approaches.

• impart a knowledge of key authors, arguments, and debates concerning geographical thought
• debate  influences on the development of Geography as an academic discipline
• explain why the diversity of epistemological and theoretical approaches is so important to geographical inquiry
• demonstrate how geographical ideas can be applied to the study of specific geographical and planning issues
• illustrate the utility and importance of geographical perspectives to current debates over approaches, findings, techniques, and policy applications

The module will be delivered through a combination of lectures and seminars.

This module will:

• nurture the skills of reading and interpreting theoretical literatures
• encourage the development of a critical, analytical facility to assess and evaluate evidence and claims
• show how abstract ideas can be applied to particular case study areas
• provide opportunities to communicate geographical knowledge through a range of media

• 50% Group Presentation in December
• 50% Individual Essay in January

Students will be expected to demonstrate an appreciation and understanding of the need to: take into account different points of view and different modes of interpretation of data; enter into academic enquiry in a constructive but critical fashion; and understand the need for critical inquiry in the study of particular issues.

The module will provide students with the following:

• Lectures, with supplementary hand-outs and Learning Central (e-learning) support, to summarise the key developments in the discipline of geography.
• The opportunity to apply abstract and general ideas to specific case study areas and key subject areas in order to show how ideas can be applied in practice.
• A demonstration of how the careful construction of theoretical approaches might help students develop their own arguments within the geographical discipline and in related areas such as planning.
• Compulsory guided reading associated with each topic to supplement and deepen the taught component.

Central to this module is the development of students’ ability to engage critically with the diversity of epistemological and theoretical approaches to geographic inquiry. This is assessed through one essay and one presentation which all students must undertake.

 Highly Recommended.

Anderson, J. 2010 Understanding Cultural Geography: Places & Traces. Routledge: London & New York.

Agnew, J. Livingstone, D. Rogers, A. eds. 1996 Human Geography. An Essential Anthology. Blackwell: Oxford.

Cloke, P. Philo, C. Sadler, D. 1991 Approaching Human Geography. PCP: London.

Peet, R. 1998 Modern Geographical Thought. Blackwell: Oxford.

Sidaway, J. Johnston, R. eds. 2004 Geography and Geographers. Ango-American Human Geography since 1945. Arnold: London.

Unwin, T.  1992  Place of Geography. Longman: Harlow.

Valentine, G.  2001  Social geographies. Prentice Hall: Harlow

Wills, J. Blunt, A.  2000  Dissident Geographies. Prentice Hall: New York.

Recommended.

Livingstone, D.  1992  The Geographical Tradition Blackwell: Oxford.

Johnston, R.  ed   1993  The Challenge for Geography: A changing world; A  changing discipline Blackwell: Oxford.