2017/18 Undergraduate Module Catalogue
GEOG2020 Political and Development Geographies
20 creditsClass Size: 136
Module manager: Dr Martin Purvis
Email: m.c.purvis@leeds.ac.uk
Taught: Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun) View Timetable
Year running 2017/18
This module is mutually exclusive with
GEOG2021 | Political and Development Geographies: Resistance and Altern |
GEOG2140 | Political and Development Geographies: The shaping of the wo |
SLSP2016 | Globalization: Equality and Diversity |
This module is approved as a discovery module
Module summary
This module focuses on political and development geographies and explores how these perspectives help us understand the shaping of the world around us. The foundations of political and development geographies are explored in terms of enlightenment, colonialism and state-making and questions are asked about how these features have contributed to current geopolitics and the ‘idea’ of development. Emphasis is placed on the construction of different spatial scales of political jurisdiction and the relationships between national and supra-national systems through processes of globalization. Exploration of the ways in which notions of 'empire' have been reinterpreted at various times and places is at the heart of the module; from early modern Europe to neo-colonialist impulses within contemporary countries like the United States and China. A key focus of the module is 'resistance and alternatives' - those groups and movements fighting against the market-led, neo-liberal orthodoxy of today's globalized world and to this end case study material will be discussed from Africa, the Middle East, Asia, Latin America and Europe.Objectives
On completion of this module students should have acquired:1. an understanding of the main dimensions of modern political and development geographies;
2. knowledge of the processes underpinning change in political and international development structures;
3. an appreciation of the importance of space and place in the constitution of institutions and global flows;
4. an understanding of global, national and local socio-economic inequalities and those struggling for alternative visions of politics and development;
5. skills in the identification and acquisition of literature and other sources of information, and knowledge of selected techniques of information retrieval, analysis and presentation in written formats.
Learning outcomes
Knowledge and Understanding
The dynamic nature of geographical thought and practice and the inter-relationships between the discipline and the social sciences
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 international development, ethnicity, class, gender and the changing nature of international political economy and institutions
Contemporary debates about time-space relationships, globalization and global interconnections, and social movements
The contribution of geography to development of environmental, political, economic and cultural agendas, policies and practices
Skills outcomes
Cognitive skills
Abstraction and synthesis of information from a variety of sources
Assessment and critical evaluation of the merits of contrasting theories, explanations, policies
Critical analysis and interpretation of data and text
Developing reasoned arguments
Practical/professional skills
Collect, interpret and synthesise different types of quantitative and qualitative geographical data
Recognise the ethical issues involved in geographical debates and enquiries
Key skills
Communicate effectively (in writing, verbally and through graphical presentations)
Use information technology effectively (including use of spreadsheet, database and word processing programmes; Internet and e-mail)
Identify, retrieve, sort and exchange geographical information using a wide range of sources
Work as part of a team and to recognise and respect the viewpoints of others
Manage time and organise work effectively
Syllabus
Indicative topics include:
Conceptual foundations
Enlightenment & modernity
State making
Imperialism & colonialism
The idea of ‘Development’
Modernisation theory, dependency theory & pan-Africanism
Post-development & critical/postmodern geopolitics
The shaping of the contemporary world
Washington Consensus & neoliberalism
Supra-national institutions/organisations
Globalisation & transnational flows
Alternative European political geographies – integration and disintegration
Aspects of uneven political & development geographies
Aid and trade
Millennium Development Goals
Environment/climate change & development
Human rights and security
Alternatives
Global social justice movements & transnational activism
BRIC country geopolitics & Non-Aligned Movement & Latin American pink block
Seminars running alongside the lectures will introduce students to relevant literature and documentaries/films that connect to the module themes.
Teaching methods
Delivery type | Number | Length hours | Student hours |
Lecture | 20 | 1.00 | 20.00 |
Seminar | 20 | 1.00 | 20.00 |
Private study hours | 160.00 | ||
Total Contact hours | 40.00 | ||
Total hours (100hr per 10 credits) | 200.00 |
Private study
- 120 hours reading to support individual lectures, seminars & exam revision- 40 hours reading, bibliographical research and preparation for assessed report
Opportunities for Formative Feedback
Progress monitoring will be through weekly lectures and especially small group discussion seminars.Mark and written comments as formative assessment of student reports will be fed back to students early in Term 2.
Methods of assessment
Coursework
Assessment type | Notes | % of formal assessment |
Report | 2,000 words | 60.00 |
Total percentage (Assessment Coursework) | 60.00 |
Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated
Exams
Exam type | Exam duration | % of formal assessment |
Standard exam (closed essays, MCQs etc) | 1 hr 15 mins | 40.00 |
Total percentage (Assessment Exams) | 40.00 |
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: 08/05/2017
Browse Other Catalogues
- Undergraduate module catalogue
- Taught Postgraduate module catalogue
- Undergraduate programme catalogue
- Taught Postgraduate programme catalogue
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