Undergraduate Course: The Nature of Geographical Knowledge (GEGR09012)
Course Outline
| School | School of Geosciences |
College | College of Science and Engineering |
| Credit level (Normal year taken) | SCQF Level 9 (Year 3 Undergraduate) |
Availability | Available to all students |
| SCQF Credits | 20 |
ECTS Credits | 10 |
| Summary | The course examines the history of geographic thought. It deals with how geographers have investigated and understood the world through theory in the past, and how they do so now, and considers the implications of those histories and practices.
Please note this is a compulsory course for students on the Geography Degree Programmes, and Sustainable Development (Geography Pathway). This course is open to all university students, however priority will be given to the degree programmes listed here. |
| Course description |
The course introduces students to the intellectual history of theory in modern geography. It provides a grounding in theoretical approaches to geography in way that illuminates the intellectual history of the discipline. At the same time it teaches students how to choose between and use theoretical approaches with an awareness of both their affordances and their limitations.
Please note this is a compulsory course for students on the Geography Degree Programmes, and Sustainable Development (Geography Pathway). This course is open to all university students; priority will be given, however, to the degree programmes listed here.
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Entry Requirements (not applicable to Visiting Students)
| Pre-requisites |
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Co-requisites | |
| Prohibited Combinations | |
Other requirements | None |
Information for Visiting Students
| Pre-requisites | None |
| High Demand Course? |
Yes |
Course Delivery Information
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| Academic year 2020/21, Available to all students (SV1)
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Quota: None |
| Course Start |
Semester 1 |
Timetable |
Timetable |
| Learning and Teaching activities (Further Info) |
Total Hours:
200
(
Lecture Hours 11,
Seminar/Tutorial Hours 8,
Feedback/Feedforward Hours 2,
Programme Level Learning and Teaching Hours 4,
Directed Learning and Independent Learning Hours
175 )
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| Assessment (Further Info) |
Written Exam
0 %,
Coursework
100 %,
Practical Exam
0 %
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| Additional Information (Assessment) |
One degree essay (3,000 words) 75%
Two reaction pieces on the discussion board (1,000 words) 25%
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| Feedback |
Feedback is provided via comments upon the class assessment. Feedback on the degree assessment (essay and examination) is provided in written form and via the timetabled Feedback session in semester 2. |
| No Exam Information |
Learning Outcomes
On completion of this course, the student will be able to:
- Understand the ways in which geographers construct geographical knowledge;
- Critique and situate the different theoretical approaches to geography in a reasoned manner;
- Assess the utility of contrasting geographic theories in approaching empirical problems;
- Demonstrate a range of skills in note-taking, utilization of readings, critical reflection, close reading of sources, independent work and writing
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Reading List
There is no single text which covers the course's entire scope, but the following books each contain useful material. A wide variety of readings will be provided via LEARN.
1. Clifford N., S. Holloway, S. Rice and G. Valentine 2009 Key Concepts in Geography. London, Sage.
2. Johnston, Ron J., and James D. Sidaway. Geography and Geographers: Anglo-American Human Geography since 1945. 7 ed. London: Arnold, 2004. [GF13 Joh.]
3. Livingstone, David N. The Geographical Tradition: Episodes in the History of a Contested Enterprise. Oxford: Blackwell, 1992. [G80 Liv.]
4. Martin, Geoffrey J. All Possible Worlds: A History of Geographical Ideas. 4th ed. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2005. [G80 Mar.]
5. Dictionary of Human Geography (eds. Johnston R., D. Gregory, G. Pratt and M. Watts, Blackwell, 2000) contains many useful definitions of key terms.
6. Inkpen, R. and W. Graham (2013) Science, Philosophy and Physical Geography, 2nd ed. London: Routledge |
Additional Information
| Graduate Attributes and Skills |
Students will be able to demonstrate skills in researching, assessing, presenting and defending reasoned arguments on the nature of knowledge in geography.
Students will also be able to demonstrate an ability to acquire and apply specialist knowledge.
Finally, students will be able to communicate effectively both orally and in writing. |
| Keywords | GEGR09012,geographical knowledge |
Contacts
| Course organiser | Prof Timothy Cresswell
Tel: (0131 6)50 9137
Email: tim.cresswell@ed.ac.uk |
Course secretary | Miss Carry Arnold
Tel: (0131 6)50 9847
Email: Carry.Arnold@ed.ac.uk |
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