2008/09 Undergraduate Module Catalogue

GEOG3032 Radical Geographies: Engagement, Theory, Praxis

20 creditsClass Size: 20

Module manager: Dr Paul Waley
Email: p.t.waley@leeds.ac.uk

Taught: Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) View Timetable

Year running 2008/09

This module is mutually exclusive with

GEOG3051	Research Frontier: Citizenship and Belonging
GEOG3980	Research Frontier: Urban Culture and Consumption

This module is not approved as an Elective

Module summary

One of the distinctive features of contemporary geography is its focused on engaged practice. This module aims to offer students sustained engagement with the theory and practice of radical geography through group readings and individual engagements.The first component involves in depth reading of a core text (`Anti-capitalism: A beginner's guide'). This will be read over 5 weeks supplemented with associated readings to develop a deeper understanding of the themes covered each chapter. Each week, the material's evolving point of view will be analysed and discussed.Secondly, students will attend selected film screenings at the annual Leeds International Film Festival in November and write a commentary on a selection of films contextualising them with relevant literature. Students' choice of films will be guided by the module team.Third, students must attend a selected event in the city or region (this could be based around a group, campaign, talk, meeting etc). A list of potential events will be compiled by the module team (including all those at the Common Place). Students will then write a commentary on the significance of this engagement in relation to the ideas covered in the course. This commentary will form the basis of a presentation to the rest of the module group.

Objectives

On completion of this module, students should be able to:
- Articulate a sophisticated understanding of radical ideas in geography based on module readings
- Demonstrate a broad and detailed understanding of the contribution of the work of scholars from a range of disciplines to the ideas of radical geography
- Show evidence of communication skills and team-work through visits and practical work
- Acquire skills and competencies which would allow them to put the ideas/themes explored in the module into practice
- Show evidence of advanced skills in bibliographical research and the preparation and execution of essays;
- Show evidence of enhanced skills in critical thought, discussion and argumentation in seminar conditions.
- Show evidence of independent and critical thinking in implementation of a self guided presentation

Skills outcomes
On completion of this module students will have gained the following skills:
- Ability to undertake in-depth independent research for completion of an essay
- Competence in pursuing an independent practical exercise based around module themes
- Ability to articulate module themes through assessed work
- Ability to communicate ideas through a presentation and portfolio
- A competence in articulating and discussing module ideas in seminars

Syllabus

Weeks 1-5: Reading of core and associated texts
Week 6: Module roundtable and reflection
Weeks 7-11: Investigation of supplementary themes

In parallel:
Weeks 1-11: Visit to 2 film screenings for basis of presentation
Weeks 1-11: Engagement with outside meeting/group/campaigning for portfolio

Teaching methods

Delivery type	Number	Length hours	Student hours
Fieldwork	3	6.66	20.00
Seminar	10	2.00	20.00
Private study hours			160.00
Total Contact hours			40.00
Total hours (100hr per 10 credits)			200.00

Private study

Students will undertake 160 hours of private study as follows:

5 hours reading for each of the 10 seminars = 50 hours
Preparation and writing of essay = 50 hours
Engagement with outside group and preparation of presentation = 30 hours
Film screenings and preparation of commentary = 30 hours

Opportunities for Formative Feedback

Weekly seminars

Methods of assessment

Coursework

Assessment type	Notes	% of formal assessment
Essay	3,000 words	60.00
Poster Presentation	Poster with written commentary (1,000 words equivalent)	20.00
Portfolio	Reflection on outside field activities 1,000 words equivalent	20.00
Total percentage (Assessment Coursework)		100.00

Poster presentations will be group work.

Reading list

The reading list is available from the Library website

Last updated: 04/04/2012

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