2008/09 Undergraduate Module Catalogue

GEOG3190 Society and Space

20 creditsClass Size: 60

Module manager: Dr Debbie Phillips
Email: d.a.phillips@leeds.ac.uk

Taught: Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) View Timetable

Year running 2008/09

This module is approved as an Elective

Module summary

This module explores the interdependence of society and space through an analysis of the social and cultural geography of contemporary Britain. It evaluates different interpretations of socio-spatial relations and examines the ideologies, values and beliefs which underpin the social and geographical constitution of British society. These general themes are explored in relation to specific social issues, which illustrate how social, economic and political processes are played out over space. Specific issues include the social geography of housing, homelessness, ethnicity, race and identity, the importance of politics, culture and counter-culture in shaping urban spaces and the symbolic meaning of space at times of riot, carnival and other rituals of resistance.

Objectives

On completion of the module, students should be able to demonstrate:
(i) an understanding of competing theories of social and spatial relations
(ii) an understanding of how social and spatial inequalities are produced and reproduced in Britain
(iii) a critical appreciation of the social construction of groups in British society and its relevance for social and cultural geography.

Students will gain empirical knowledge of the social and cultural geography of Britain, develop their research and presentation skills and develop their capacity for team work and independent study.

Learning outcomes
Students will acquire knowledge and understanding of:
- The dynamic nature of geographical thought and practice and the inter-relationships between the discipline and the social sciences and humanities
- Spatial patterns and relationships in human phenomena at a variety of scales.
- The geography of places and their constitution by environmental, economic, social and political processes, and the influence of places on these processes.
- 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 .
- The contribution of geography to development of environmental political, economic and cultural agendas, policies and practices.

Skills outcomes
- Critical analysis of theories, concepts, issues and ideas about society and space, citizenship and belonging.
- Abstraction and synthesis of information and ideas from different sources.
- Reasoned arguments, solving problems and making reasoned decisions.
- Planning, designing, executing and reporting geographic research as team member.
- Effective written communication skills.
- Apply skills to access relevant source material (e.g. Web of Science, and WWW)
- Manage time and organise work effectively

Syllabus

1. Understanding society and space in contemporary Britain
2. The restructuring of housing tenure; social and spatial implications
3. Winners and losers in a property owning democracy
4. Seminar: homelessness, society and space
5. 'Race', racism and ideology in multi-cultural Britain
6. From encapsulation to exclusion; race, ethnicity and identity
7. READING WEEK
8. Seminar: the racialisation of space
9. Culture and counter-culture; a geographical perspective
10. Landscapes of power and resistance
11. Seminar: power and resistance in the landscape
Revision lecture

Teaching methods

Delivery type	Number	Length hours	Student hours
Revision Class	1	2.00	2.00
Lecture	7	2.00	14.00
Seminar	3	3.00	9.00
Private study hours			175.00
Total Contact hours			25.00
Total hours (100hr per 10 credits)			200.00

Private study

56 hours reading to support lectures
40 hours reading, writing and independent research for assessed report
25 hours preparation for group seminar
54 hours reading and preparation for exam

Opportunities for Formative Feedback

- through class discussion in lectures
- through oral presentations
- through the submission of assessed work and written feedback prior to the final examination

Methods of assessment

Coursework

Assessment type	Notes	% of formal assessment
Essay	2,000 words	40.00
Presentation	(in groups) 20 Minutes	10.00
Total percentage (Assessment Coursework)		50.00

presentations will take place in weeks 4,8 and 11

Exams

Exam type	Exam duration	% of formal assessment
Standard exam (closed essays, MCQs etc)	2 hr 00 mins	50.00
Total percentage (Assessment Exams)		50.00

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 website

Last updated: 28/04/2009

Disclaimer

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