GEOGG004 Thinking Space

CORE: GEOGG004 - THINKING SPACE
(15 credits)

Term 1 (2011)

Staff:
Prof Jenny Robinson, Prof Matthew Gandy, Dr James Kneale, Dr Alan Latham, Dr Gail Davies, Prof Richard Dennis

Aims:

• To introduce students to key approaches to theorising space in geography and the social sciences
• To demonstrate how thinking spatially informs analysis of key debates in geography and the social sciences
• To provide advanced level training in the theoretical skills needed to undertake research on geographical topics and to contribute to theory-building in geography

Content:

This course explores the theorisation of space. It will build a strong historical understanding of how current spatial thinking has developed, and will place these developments in the context of the history of geography and of the social sciences more generally. Each year, 3 or 4 themes in contemporary spatial thinking will be dealt with in historical and analytical depth. Students will be introduced to the work of key spatial thinkers and to social scientists whose work has played an important role in the development of spatial thinking. The role of theorisations of space in shaping selected core social science and geographical debates will be discussed.


Assessment:

1 piece of coursework - 1500 words (this essay does not contribute to the assessment of the module but must be undertaken).
1 piece of coursework - 3000 words - 100% of the formal assessment for this module 


Format:

Teaching will take the form of 10x2 hour seminars in Term 1. There will be blocked themes of 2-3 seminars, building historical, theoretical and substantive discussions of selected contemporary aspects of spatial thinking.


Learning Outcomes:

• Appreciation of the implications of analyses of space for core themes in contemporary social science and geography
• Knowledge and understanding of key theoretical approaches in geography and the social sciences
• Ability to develop a spatial analysis of key geographical and social science topics
• Develop transferable research skills in analysis of arguments, information collection and management, computing, writing, communication and presentation. The ungraded first assignment offers an early vehicle for students to review their writing and analytical skills.