Human Geography: Society, Power and Culture

Overview

Intersections between society, power and culture are at the heart of contemporary concerns in human geography. As such, this module aims to identify and interpret some of the key global dynamics that have impacted the ways in which people and place co-exist and interrelate at a variety of scales, both temporal and spatial. These concepts feed into the main thematic areas of the module: how landscape and power are interconnected, the impact of colonialism and imperialism on society and space, and the ways in which urban and rural spaces are defined and imagined. The module prepares students for further study in human geography at Levels 2 and 3, especially cultural, historical and political geographies.

Learning Objectives

1. Identify the range of theoretical perspectives used in Human Geography;
2. Understand how Human Geography can contribute to analyses of contemporary and historical societies;
3. Recognise the impacts and legacies of past global inequalities caused by imperial and colonial geographies;
4. Recognise how social relationships in urban and rural landscapes are reflected and reinforced spatially;
5. Understand the value and application of spatial and social theories and models in 'real-world' contexts;
6. Understand how geographers have considered the relationships between nature, society and landscape;
7. Realise how considerations of race and gender inform our understanding of culture.

Skills

Taught: Principles of Human Geography, how society & its variations over space can be and has been scrutinised & understood. Practiced: Essay writing, field observation and interpretation, library & individual study skills, written presentation of material.

Assessment