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- UCAS course code
- F802
- UCAS institution code
- M20
Course unit details:
Key Ideas in Geography
Unit code | GEOG10192 |
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Credit rating | 10 |
Unit level | Level 1 |
Teaching period(s) | Semester 2 |
Offered by | Geography |
Available as a free choice unit? | No |
Overview
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.
Aims
- 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.
Learning outcomes
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.
Teaching and learning methods
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.
Knowledge and understanding
- 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.
Intellectual skills
- 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.
Practical skills
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Transferable skills and personal qualities
- Critical thinking skills through an engagement with current disciplinary debates;
Assessment methods
Method | Weight |
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Written exam | 100% |
Feedback methods
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.
Recommended reading
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.
Study hours
Scheduled activity hours | |
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Lectures | 20 |
Independent study hours | |
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Independent study | 80 |
Teaching staff
Staff member | Role |
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Ross Jones | Unit coordinator |
Additional notes
Timetable
CORE COURSE UNIT FOR GEOGRAPHY STUDENTS ONLY