This module will provide an overview of the development of human geographical thought. It will introduce how the cutting edge of the discipline continues the historical development of theory but also challenges it, offering new and exciting empirical spaces to study, alongside vibrant theoretical approaches with which to understand them. The module demonstrates 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.

The main aims of the module are as follows:

• To familiarise students with the intellectual terrain of Human Geography
• To show how historical geographical ideas have shaped the development of the discipline in the present day
• To show how current geographical ‘paradigms’ challenge those of the past and offer new perspectives on the world
• To introduce key texts and commentaries
• To develop critical evaluations of geographical thought
• To show how geographical ideas can be applied to the analysis of particular subject areas

• discuss the ways in which contemporary geography has evolved
• define, evaluate and compare twenty-first century paradigms, and critically debate their importance for what geographers study
• understand and communicate the dynamism of the discipline and critically discuss this using examples

The module will consist of 10 two-hour lectures, with supplementary hand-outs and Learning Central (e-learning) support, to summarise the key contemporary developments in the discipline of geography.

These lectures will be accompanied by 8 one-hour seminars, offering the opportunity to apply abstract and general ideas to specific case study areas and key subject areas in order to explore how ideas can be applied in practice.

In addition, students will be directed to a selection of compulsory and supplementary guided reading on each topic, to supplement and deepen the taught component.

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, principally through oral presentation

Assessment will be 100% coursework. There will be two summative assessments (an essay and a reading journal, detailed below), supported by formative assessment of presentations within weekly seminar meetings.

Type of assessment

%

Contribution

Title

Duration
(if applicable)

Approx. date of Assessment

Essay

50

Theoretical developments in contemporary geography

2000 words

Autumn

Reading journal

50

A summary of key themes from seminar readings, along with a critical reflection on their role in the development of human geography

2000 words

Autumn

The potential for reassessment in this module

Students are permitted to be reassessed in a module which they have failed, in line with the course regulations. The reassessment will usually take place during the summer

The following topics will be covered in this module:

1. Introduction – Establishing human geography – the making of an academic discipline
2. Bringing humans back: humanistic approaches to geography
3. Geography and critical theory 1: Marxism
4. Geography and critical theory 2: Feminism
5. Geography and critical theory 3: Postcolonialism
6. Postmodern and poststructural geographies
7. Embodiment, practices and the emotional turn
8. The mobilities paradigm
9. More-than-human geographies
10. Overview, summary and conclusions

Cresswell C 2013 Geographic thought: a critical introduction Chichester: Wiley-Blackwell

Gregory D, Johnston R, Pratt G, Watts M and Whatmore S (eds) 2009 The Dictionary of Human Geography Oxford: Blackwell

Nayak A and Jeffrey A 2011 Geographical thought: an introduction to ideas in human geography Harlow: Prentice Hall

Aitken S and Valentine G (eds) 2015 Approaches to Human Geography London: Sage

Clifford NJ, Holloway SL, Rice SP and Valentine G 2009 Key Concepts in Geography London: Sage

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

Holt-Jensen A 2009 Geography: History and Concepts London: Sage

Johnston RJ and Sidaway JD 2004 Geography and Geographers: Anglo-American Human Geography since 1945 London: Arnold (6^th edition)

Livingstone D N 1992 The Geographical Tradition Oxford: Blackwell

Peet R 1998 Modern Geographical Thought Oxford: Blackwell

Additional specialist readings will be provided in weekly lecture and seminar reading lists.