Accessibility statement

Global Geographies - ENV00020C

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  • Department: Environment and Geography
  • Module co-ordinator: Dr. Joshua Kirshner
  • Credit value: 20 credits
  • Credit level: C
  • Academic year of delivery: 2022-23

Module will run

Occurrence Teaching period
A Autumn Term 2022-23 to Spring Term 2022-23

Module aims

The module offers a foundation for exploring and investigating how different development theories and policies shape diverse social, economic and political geographies. We will analyse some of the policies that emerge from these theories, focusing on the merits and trade-offs of various initiatives and programmes. Along the way, we will examine a range of topics including—but not limited to—urbanization, poverty, aid, transnational migration, displacement, global commodity chains, NGOs, energy transitions, low carbon development, smart cities, and fair trade.

  • Change the way you see the world around you
  • Introduce you to theoretical and practical perspectives on development and globalisation
  • Offer the opportunity to undertake independent and group learning, and to improve writing and presentation skills
  • Offer study, technical and communication skills that will serve you in university, work and life

Module learning outcomes

On completion of this module, a capable student will be able to do the following:

Subject content:

  • Recognise, examine and explain changing world conditions and identify emerging global trends.
  • Explain and illustrate the interrelationships among and the interdependence of, global mechanisms and systems.
  • Recognise and respect diversity among the world cultures and acknowledge various perspectives on human and natural environments and on global affairs that are generated by cultural diversity.
  • Acquire a working knowledge of geographic methods, techniques and skills that can be used to study and understand the world around them.

Academic and graduate skills

  • Writing in an academic context (developing the students' skill in academic writing and the justification of critical analysis and conclusions)
  • Group activity (formal debate to develop the students' ability to analyse and discuss information in an interactive group forum)
  • Develop skills reflective of the social science discipline
  • IT and information handling (e.g. extensive use of internet sources will be required to compile information for the assignment, assessed as part of coursework).

Time management and presentation skills: Preparing graphic presentations (e.g. pictures, images, slides) for a range of audiences and presenting information within a specific time

Assessment

Task Length % of module mark
Coursework - extensions not feasible/practicable
Contribution & Participation		 N/A 10
Essay/coursework
Essay		 N/A 70
Essay/coursework
Essay plan and annotated bibliography		 N/A 20

Special assessment rules

None

Reassessment

Task Length % of module mark
Essay/coursework
Essay 2000 Words		 N/A 100

Module feedback

Continuous feedback will be made available to the students during the seminar/Tutorial sessions.

Feedback on Coursework (essay) and examination will be done through a dedicated feedback session

Indicative reading

Geographies of Development in the 21st Century: An Introduction to the Global South, Silvia Chant and Cathy McIlwaine, 2008, Edward Elgar.

Geographies of Developing Areas, Glyn Williams, Paula Meth and Katie Willis, 2014, Routledge.

Oil, Gavin Bridge and Philippe Le Billon, 2013, Polity.

Additional reading material will be provided throughout the module, linked to the appropriate lectures on the VLE.


The information on this page is indicative of the module that is currently on offer. The University is constantly exploring ways to enhance and improve its degree programmes and therefore reserves the right to make variations to the content and method of delivery of modules, and to discontinue modules, if such action is reasonably considered to be necessary by the University. Where appropriate, the University will notify and consult with affected students in advance about any changes that are required in line with the University's policy on the Approval of Modifications to Existing Taught Programmes of Study.