2008/09 Undergraduate Module Catalogue
GEOG1200 Changing Worlds, Changing Places
20 creditsClass Size: 320
Module manager: Dr Paul Waley
Email: p.t.waley@leeds.ac.uk
Taught: Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun) View Timetable
Year running 2008/09
This module is mutually exclusive with
| GEOG1280 | Cities and Society |
| GEOG1290 | Global Perspectives: Place, Politics and Development |
This module is approved as an Elective
Module summary
The world today appears 'smaller' and more interconnected than at any past time, bound together as it is by important flows of goods, money, people and information. Yet major differences and inequalities persist in the character of particular places and between the experiences and life chances of their inhabitants. In this context it is more important than ever that we understand how the local and the global interact. This module takes such concerns as its starting point in providing an overview of key themes in contemporary human geography. Lectures highlight themes and ideas in political, urban, social and development geography, offering an introduction to challenging debates about the nature of the contemporary world. Topics for particular attention include social difference and social justice, structures of urban power and authority, changing perspectives on the importance of political territory, and debates about the socio-economic, cultural and environmental impacts of development. The module is assessed by two unseen examinations, one at the end of each semester.Objectives
On completion of this module students who have engaged well with the syllabus should be able to:1. demonstrate understanding of the socio-economic, cultural and political processes influencing geographical differentiation at scales from the local to the global;
2. display awareness of contrasting theoretical interpretations of contemporary political territoriality, urbanism, socio-economic development, social difference and social justice;
3. use academic, journalistic and electronic information sources to inform their critical analysis of pattern and process in the contemporary world.
Skills outcomes
A Knowledge and Understanding
A4 Spatial patterns and relationships in human phenomena at a variety of scales
A5 The geography of places and their constitution by environmental, economic, social and political processes, and the influence of places on these processes
A6 The geographies of difference and inequality with particular reference to historical development, ethnicity, class, gender and the changing nature of urban and regional economies and policy
A7 Contemporary debates about time-space relationships, globalization and global interconnections
A8 The role of changes in technology, the nature of work and labour markets in influencing spatial patterns of economic activity
A10 The contribution of geography to development of environmental, political, economic and cultural agendas, policies and practices
B Cognitive skills
B1 Abstraction and synthesis of information from a variety of sources
B2 Assessment and critical evaluation of the merits of contrasting theories, explanations, policies
B3 Critical analysis and interpretation of data and text
B4 Developing reasoned arguments
D Key skills
D2 Communicate effectively (in writing, verbally and through graphical presentations)
D6 Work as part of a team and to recognise and respect the viewpoints of others
D7 Manage time and organise work effectively
Syllabus
Semester 1
Political Geography
1. What is political geography?
2. States, territories and territoriality
3. A geopolitical overview of the post-war world: the cold war
4. After the Cold-War (pre-9/11)
5. Video - People's century: 1997- fast forward
6. After the Cold-War (post 9/11)
7. The authority of the state: what states do and why it matters
8. Do states have a future? challenging the authority of the state
9. The tenacity of the state: the revival of nationalism
Development Geography
1. Conceptualising development
2. Theories and strategies of development
3. Exploring global geographies of development: Agents of development
4. Exploring global geographies of development: Spaces of development
5. Challenging development - the ideas of Robert Chambers and Arturo Escobar
6. Video - The new rulers of the world?
7. Dimensions of inequality: Globalisation and development
8. Dimensions of inequality: Gender and development
9. Post-development imaginings and resistance
Semester 2
Urban Geography
1. What are cities?
2. Debates in urban geography
3. Cities in the global economy
4. Urban restructuring and divided cities
5. London: A divided global city? Film - The battle for Docklands
6. Cities, conflict and technology
7. Who runs cities?
8. Sustainable cities
9. Radical thinkers
Social Differences and Identity
1. Social difference, identity and place: class and caste
2. Social difference, identity and place: racialised spaces
3. New racisms
4. Exploring whiteness
5. Gendered landscapes; rethinking patriarchy
6. Symbolic spaces; meaningful places
7. Contested spaces in multiethnic Britain
8. Integration, citizenship and difference: a century of Jewish adaptation
9. Revision session
Teaching methods
| Delivery type | Number | Length hours | Student hours |
| Lecture | 40 | 1.00 | 40.00 |
| Private study hours | 160.00 | ||
| Total Contact hours | 40.00 | ||
| Total hours (100hr per 10 credits) | 200.00 | ||
Private study
90 hours reading to support lectures70 hours reading and revision for exams.
NB staff teaching on this module will set essays, with guidelines as to how they should be answered, for use by tutors as part of the work undertaken for GEOG1240. This work will further reinforce the learning process on GEOG1200.
Students taking GEOG1200 who are not also registered for GEOG1240 will be provided with equivalent support through the provision of 4 tutorials as a supernumerary element of GEOG1200.
Opportunities for Formative Feedback
See above for the integration of lectures with tutorials, which form the primary vehicle for monitoring student progress. Students also receive feedback halfway through the module reflecting their performance on the January exam.Methods of assessment
Exams
| Exam type | Exam duration | % of formal assessment |
| Standard exam (closed essays, MCQs etc) | 1 hr 30 mins | 50.00 |
| Standard exam (closed essays, MCQs etc) | 1 hr 30 mins | 50.00 |
| Total percentage (Assessment Exams) | 100.00 | |
Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated
Reading list
The reading list is available from the Library websiteLast updated: 28/04/2009
Browse Other Catalogues
- Undergraduate module catalogue
- Taught Postgraduate module catalogue
- Undergraduate programme catalogue
- Taught Postgraduate programme catalogue
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