2024/25 Undergraduate Module Catalogue

GEOG2140 Political and Development Geographies: The shaping of the world

10 creditsClass Size: 50

Module manager: Dr Martin Purvis
Email: m.c.purvis@leeds.ac.uk

Taught: Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) View Timetable

Year running 2024/25

This module is approved as a discovery module

Module summary

The module explores geographical perspectives on politics and development, beginning by considering the foundations of international political systems in modernity, state-making and imperialism, and reflecting on their continuing significance in today’s world. The module then discusses contemporary global geographies of power, focusing on the role of leading states.

Objectives

The module aims to enhance understanding of the evolution and contemporary geography of global political systems – primarily conceived as a system of states.

Lectures provide an overview of key themes, reinforced by seminars designed to deepen student understanding by focusing on the exploration and critical discussion of particular academic arguments and case studies. Some seminars require students to independently identify relevant materials, as well as to respond to materials provided.

Assessment is designed to test understanding, and to help students enhance their confidence/skills in both searching for and critically evaluating information and ideas (including journalistic and policy materials, as well as academic publications); and expressing their own perspectives on key issues in contemporary politics and development.

Learning outcomes
On completion of this module students should have acquired:

1. an increased understanding of key themes in global geopolitics.
2. an increased understanding of geographies of difference and inequality, particularly in relation to race and ethnicity, political rights and freedoms, and economic attributes and opportunities.
3. an increased ability to express their own understanding of, and thoughts about, contemporary international political and development challenges.
4. an enhanced understanding of the importance of space and place to wider debates about politics and development.


Skills Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of the module students will have demonstrated the following skills learning outcomes:

1. Increased capacity for reflection; recognising and expressing their own understanding.
2. Increased capacity for, and confidence in, thinking critically about frequently contentious arguments and issues.
3. Enhanced skills in searching for, evaluating and using relevant information sources to enhance the quality of their own academic work.
4. Enhanced skills in academic writing, or in otherwise expressing their ability to convey ideas and information in a clear, concise, focused and structured manner that is supported by relevant evidence.
5. Enhanced appreciation of the importance of academic integrity, through the demonstration of skills in using and properly crediting the work of others.

Syllabus

Details of the syllabus will be provided on the Minerva organisation (or equivalent) for the module.

Teaching methods

Delivery type	Number	Length hours	Student hours
Lecture	10	1.00	10.00
Seminar	5	1.00	5.00
Private study hours			85.00
Total Contact hours			15.00
Total hours (100hr per 10 credits)			100.00

Opportunities for Formative Feedback

Students receive formative feedback on their progress and understanding in the course of discussions at fortnightly seminars.

Methods of assessment

Coursework

Assessment type	Notes	% of formal assessment
Assignment	Coursework	100.00
Total percentage (Assessment Coursework)		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 website

Last updated: 29/04/2024 16:14:36

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