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for a past academic year. Please see the current academic year for up to date information.
| Unit name |
Interrogating Cultural Landscapes |
| Unit code |
GEOGM0300 |
| Credit points |
20 |
| Level of study |
M/7
|
| Teaching block(s) |
Teaching Block 1 (weeks 1 - 12)
Teaching Block 2 (weeks 13 - 24)
|
| Unit director |
Dr. Della Dora |
| Open unit status |
Not open |
| Pre-requisites |
Having followed the A and C Syllabus in Years 2 and 3
|
| Co-requisites |
The A and C Syllabus units in Year 4
|
| School/department |
School of Geographical Sciences |
| Faculty |
Faculty of Science |
Description including Unit Aims
Landscape is a key theme in contemporary cultural and historical geography and provides connections in both theory and practice with other disciplines. This unit focuses on the landscape concept as an important site of cultural representation and as such a dynamic part of social, cultural and political systems. It examines a range of methodological approaches to the study of landscape, as well as the particular role of material landscape features and non-material landscape representations in forging narratives of identity and in representing often contested discourses.
Aims:
- To consider the theoretical context which informs the unit with particular reference to the new directions that have been charted in landscape interpretation and analysis.
- To examine and evaluate key methodological approaches to the study of the cultural landscape and which apply social and cultural theory to landscape interpretation and demonstrate concern for the socio-cultural and political processes that shape landscapes.
- To demonstrate that landscape is an important site of cultural representation which overlaps with the concepts of memory and heritage in forging narratives of individual and group identity.
- To explore the role of material landscape features, such as public monuments, street nomenclature, architecture and civic design, in representing political processes at a range of spatial scales and contexts.
- To consider the politics of landscape through an examination of non-material forms of landscape representation such as film, literature, art and TV.
Intended Learning Outcomes
On completion of this Unit students should be able to:
- Demonstrate an understanding of the key developments that have taken place in historical and cultural geography in recent decades and which have paved the way for new approaches to the study of the cultural landscape.
- Approach the study of landscape through a range of textual metaphors informed by different theoretical and methodological perspectives.
- Critically explore the politics of representation and interpret geographical knowledges as dynamic, plural and contested.
- Appreciate the significance of material landscapes and non-material landscape representations in shaping narratives of identity.
- Demonstrate an understanding of the power of the past in contributing to the iconography of landscape.
- Consolidate their knowledge, thinking and develop their research skills by completing an extended essay.
- Plan a response to research questions by formulation of aims, objectives and methodologies.
- Develop oral presentation skills, construct arguments and communicate effectively.
- Work collaboratively on group projects.
The following transferable skills are developed in this Unit:
- Analytical and interpretive skills
- Written and verbal communication
Teaching Information
Teaching will be by a series of interactive seminars which will use multi-media and audiovisual techniques. Oral presentations will be used to focus group activities and assess student understanding of and ability to evaluate current research.
Assessment Information
Extended essay 70%
The first element of the assessment for this unit requires students to write an extended essay on a topic drawn from the broad range of material covered in the lectures and chosen in consultation with the unit co-ordinator. Papers will be 3,000 words in length and will include maps, diagrams, charts and illustrations where appropriate, along with a detailed bibliography.
Seminar Presentations 30%
Students will work in groups on an oral seminar presentation related to a current issue in landscape research and will present their findings on a weekly basis.
Total for unit: 100%
Percentage of the unit that is coursework: 100%
Percentage of overall unit mark involving group work: 30%
Does the group work lead to an individual or group mark? GROUP
Does the group work provide individual feedback for students? No.
Total student learning and assessment hours:
Lecture: 20 hrs
Seminar preparation and presentation: 40 hrs
Project work and write-up: 60 hrs
Individual reading: 80 hrs
Total for unit: 200 Hours
Reading and References
- Anderson, J (2009) Understanding cultural geography: places and traces (Routledge)
- Bender, B. (1993) Landscape: politics and perspectives (Oxford)
- Cosgrove, D. and Daniels, S. (1988) The iconography of landscape (Cambridge)
- Mitchell, D. (2000) Cultural geography (Oxford)
- Mitchell, WTJ ed. (2002[1994]) Landscape and power (Chicago)
- Wylie, J. (2008) Landscape (Routledge)
