GV1GIM: Geographical Imaginaries

Module code: GV1GIM

Module provider: Geography and Environmental Science; School of Archaeology, Geography and Environmental Science

Credits: 20

Level: Level 1 (Certificate)

When you'll be taught: Semester 2

Module convenor: Professor Avril Maddrell, email: avril.maddrell@reading.ac.uk

Pre-requisite module(s):

Co-requisite module(s):

Pre-requisite or Co-requisite module(s):

Module(s) excluded:

Placement information: NA

Academic year: 2024/5

Available to visiting students: Yes

Talis reading list: Yes

Last updated: 20 May 2024

Overview

Module aims and purpose

Geographical knowledge and methods have changed over time; understanding those changes is crucial to understanding how and why we do geography today, as well as recognising the ways in which geographical knowledge will evolve in the future in response to changing social, environmental and technological needs and opportunities. This module is titled geographical imaginaries because it focuses on ways of thinking about and therefore doing geography. Understanding the evolving development of geographical thinking and practice over time and the implications of particular approaches and methods is a subject bench-marking requirement for all students of geography. 

This module aims to i) map out and understand the key continuities and ruptures in geographical topics and questions from the establishment of geography as a university subject in the late nineteenth century to the present day; and ii) show how human geography has adapted and responded to changing social, environmental and technological challenges and opportunities; iii) to understand a range of contemporary ways of thinking in human geography and opportunities for using different  ‘geographical imaginaries’ to understand and address contemporary issues. 

Module learning outcomes

By the end of the module, it is expected that students will be able to: 

1. Demonstrate an understanding of key developments in human geography thought and practice   
2. Appreciate the evolving nature of geographical thought and practice and the role of wider social, economic, cultural and political contexts in shaping those changes 
3. Identify a range of ways of conceptualising and practicing contemporary human geography  
4. Choose and apply academic literature to support critical discussions in verbal and visual presentations and written coursework 

Module content

Module content will include lectures, seminar activities and discussions, and one or more field classes. These will facilitate understanding and exploring the ways in which geographical knowledge and thinking geographically’, including topics and methods, have been shaped and framed in the past and present by intellectual, methodological and societal drivers.

Key topics will include different ways of imagining space, place and the environment from human and non-human perspectives, and the power relations explicitly and implicitly embedded in those framings, for example colonial, classed, gendered and racialised geographies.

A range of sources will be used to explore key geographical concepts and practices, including classic texts and current research within geography, social and mainstream media, the arts and literature.

Field class work will enable practical application of and reflection on different geographical imaginaries.

Structure

Teaching and learning methods

Teaching and learning will centre on a combination of lectorials, interactive seminar discussions based on guided student readings, and field activities. The visit to the RGS-IBG will provide historical context as well as evidence of the societies response to historical legacies such as colonialism and contemporary priorities. 

Students will apply understanding and skills during in-class activities, local fieldwork activities and assessed work.     

Support for assessment will be provided through guidance sessions and formative feedback. 

Supporting screencasts: key module skills and concepts, critical discussion and assessment guidance 

Study hours

At least 32 hours of scheduled teaching and learning activities will be delivered in person, with the remaining hours for scheduled and self-scheduled teaching and learning activities delivered either in person or online. You will receive further details about how these hours will be delivered before the start of the module.

Please note the independent study hours above are notional numbers of hours; each student will approach studying in different ways. We would advise you to reflect on your learning and the number of hours you are allocating to these tasks.

Semester 1 The hours in this column may include hours during the Christmas holiday period.

Semester 2 The hours in this column may include hours during the Easter holiday period.

Summer The hours in this column will take place during the summer holidays and may be at the start and/or end of the module.

Assessment

Requirements for a pass

Students need to achieve an overall module mark of 40% to pass this module.

Summative assessment

Penalties for late submission of summative assessment

The Support Centres will apply the following penalties for work submitted late:

Assessments with numerical marks

• where the piece of work is submitted after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): 10% of the total marks available for that piece of work will be deducted from the mark for each working day (or part thereof) following the deadline up to a total of three working days;
• the mark awarded due to the imposition of the penalty shall not fall below the threshold pass mark, namely 40% in the case of modules at Levels 4-6 (i.e. undergraduate modules for Parts 1-3) and 50% in the case of Level 7 modules offered as part of an Integrated Masters or taught postgraduate degree programme;
• where the piece of work is awarded a mark below the threshold pass mark prior to any penalty being imposed, and is submitted up to three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline), no penalty shall be imposed;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): a mark of zero will be recorded.

Assessments marked Pass/Fail

• where the piece of work is submitted within three working days of the deadline (or any formally agreed extension of the deadline): no penalty will be applied;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension of the deadline): a grade of Fail will be awarded.

The University policy statement on penalties for late submission can be found at: https://www.reading.ac.uk/cqsd/-/media/project/functions/cqsd/documents/qap/penaltiesforlatesubmission.pdf

You are strongly advised to ensure that coursework is submitted by the relevant deadline. You should note that it is advisable to submit work in an unfinished state rather than to fail to submit any work.

Formative assessment

Formative assessment is any task or activity which creates feedback (or feedforward) for you about your learning, but which does not contribute towards your overall module mark.

Formative feedback on: 

1. draft poster content 
2. essay plan   

Reassessment

Additional costs