BSc Geography

This course provides a starting point to the Geography degree. It provides a brief introduction to the history and philosophy of the discipline. The course will help situate others modules throughout the degree programme. A range of varied key ideas and concepts across the breadth of the discipline will be showcased by different physical and human Geography staff members. For example, indicative concepts include; space and place, scale, nature and processes.  

• To introduce some key themes, debates and concepts that have shaped Geography as a discipline;
• To describe and explain some of the principal philosophical and theoretical ways of ‘doing geography’;
• To show how geographers have appropriated and reworked ideas from cognate disciplines;
• To reflect upon the nature and aims of Geography as a modern university subject;
• To demonstrate the distinctiveness and vitality of Geography;
• To introduce the Geography@Manchester staff and their research. 

By the end of the course unit, you should be able to:

• Understand some of the key intellectual ideas that have preoccupied human and physical geographers in their research;
• Appreciate that human and physical geography are linked yet distinctive academic fields;
• Have some knowledge of the current state of Geography as a research and teaching subject;
• Appreciate that Geography is related to ideas beyond the discipline;
• To appreciate how Geographical knowledge can be applied to local and global issues.

The course unit will be delivered via ten two-hour lectures. These sessions will be supplemented by extensive private study based on directed reading each week. Lecture sessions will draw upon a range of resources, including PowerPoint slides, links to web resources, videos and core readings. Lecture sessions will include time for discussion and group activities. A comprehensive archive of all sources and links will be compiled on the Blackboard site for the module.

• Understand key concepts that have shaped Geography as a discipline
• Appreciate that Geography is related to ideas beyond the discipline;
• Reflect on the nature and aims of Geography as a modern university subject;
• Appreciate the linked yet distinctive research of physical and human geographers at The University of Manchester.

• Appreciate the role of conceptual thinking in the production of knowledge
• An ability to make links between conceptual ideas and applied research;
• Reflective writing;
• Exam essay writing.

• Critical thinking skills through an engagement with current disciplinary debates; 

Feedback will be provided in the following ways during this course unit:

• Verbal feedback through Q&A and discussion within lecture sessions
• Verbal feedback from Geography staff on any course unit issue through staff office hours
• Discussion of exam result with your academic advisor
• Discussion of key concepts through Semester 1 tutorial programme. 

Castree, N., Kitchin, R., and Rogers, A. (eds.) (2013) A Dictionary of Human Geography. Oxford: Oxford University Press.

Castree, N., Rogers, A., and Sherman, D. (eds) (2005). Questioning Geography: Fundamental Debates. London: Wiley-Blackwell.

Clifford, N.J., Holloway, S.L., Rice, S.P. and Valentine, G. (2009) Key Concepts in Geography. London: Sage.

Gregory, K. (2000). The Changing Nature of Physical Geography. London: Arnold.

Haines-Young, R.H. and Petch, J. R. (1986) Physical Geography: Its Nature and Methods. London: Harper and Row.

Hubbard, P., Kitchin, R., Barley, B., and Fuller, D. (2002). Thinking Geographically: space, theory and contemporary human geography. London: Bloomsbury.

Johnston, R.J., Gregory, D., Pratt, G. and Watts, M. (eds) (2009) The Dictionary of Human Geography. 5th edn. Oxford: Blackwell.

Nayak, A. and Jeffrey, A. (2011) Geographical thought: an introduction to ideas in human geography Harlow, Pearson Education.

Thomas, D.S.G. (2016) The Dictionary of Physical Geography. 4th edn. London: John Wiley.

Timetable
CORE COURSE UNIT FOR GEOGRAPHY STUDENTS ONLY