Modules

Geographies of Global Change

Description - summary of the module content

Module description

Through a focus on key spatial concepts and a critical treatment of key topics (such as geographies of development and childhood, or the global economy), this module provides an introduction to how to think geographically about contemporary global issues. It does so by demonstrating the ways in which the description, explanation, and evaluation of global issues are debated in academic fields and contested in the world. The module is suitable for the non-specialist, and can, for example, be a complement to Economics- and Politics-related pathways.

Module aims - intentions of the module

This module will provide you with an overview of debates concerning how to think geographically about contemporary global issues. It provides you with a sound knowledge of the key processes shaping global change, and a range of intellectual perspectives used to explain and evaluate those processes. This is achieved through a focus on key spatial concepts in human geography and related disciplines, alongside detailed discussions of key topics.

The module seeks to develop the following graduate attributes:

• Independent working through summative and formative reading and writing assessments.
• Articulating concepts and evidence in order to develop reasoned arguments through written assessments.
• Advanced writing skills through individual assessment essay.

The topics taught on this module draw on the research expertise of module staff.

Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)

ILO: Module-specific skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

• 1. Outline and apply key spatial concepts used in the analysis of selected global issues
• 2. Identify key debates in the interpretation of the geographies of global change

ILO: Discipline-specific skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

• 3. Discuss the contested and provisional nature of geographical knowledge
• 4. Analyse and synthesise information and recognise relevance
• 5. Form and communicate an opinion through sustaining reasoned argument
• 6. Differentiate between conceptual and empirical knowledge

ILO: Personal and key skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

• 7. Communicate ideas in writing in a coherent and reasoned manner
• 8. Interpret qualitative and quantitative information
• 9. Independently study using appropriate resources

Syllabus plan

Syllabus plan

Whilst the module’s precise content may vary from year to year, it is envisaged that the syllabus will cover some or all of the following topics:

• The global economy
• Growing-up global

Learning and teaching

Learning activities and teaching methods (given in hours of study time)

Details of learning activities and teaching methods

Assessment

Formative assessment

Summative assessment (% of credit)

Details of summative assessment

Re-assessment

Details of re-assessment (where required by referral or deferral)

Re-assessment notes

Deferral – if you miss an assessment for certificated reasons judged acceptable by the Mitigation Committee, you will normally be either deferred in the assessment or an extension may be granted. The mark given for a re-assessment taken as a result of deferral will not be capped and will be treated as it would be if it were your first attempt at the assessment.

Referral – if you have failed the module overall (i.e. a final overall module mark of less than 40%) you will be required to re-submit coursework. If you are successful on referral, your overall module mark will be capped at 40%.

Resources

Indicative learning resources - Basic reading

• Barnett, C., Robinson, J. and Rose, G. Eds. 2008. Geographies of Globalisation: A Demanding World. Sage Publications Ltd: London.
• Cloke, P., Crang, P. and Goodwin, M. Eds. 2014. Introducing Human Geographies. Third Edition. Routledge: Abingdon, Oxon.
• Daniels, P., Bradshaw, M., Shaw, D. and Sidaway, J. Eds. 2012. An Introduction to Human Geography.Fourth Edition. Pearson Education Limited: Harlow.
• Sparke, M. 2013. Introducing Globalization: Ties, Tensions, and Uneven Integration. John Wiley & Sons Ltd: Chichester.

Indicative learning resources - Web based and electronic resources

• ELE page: https://vle.exeter.ac.uk/course/view.php?id=9290
  

Module has an active ELE page

Key words search

Global change, globalisation, economy, health, human geography, development