Undergraduate Course: The Nature of Geographical Knowledge (GEGR09012)
Course Outline
| School | School of Geosciences |
College | College of Science and Engineering |
| Credit level (Normal year taken) | SCQF Level 9 (Year 3 Undergraduate) |
Availability | Available to all students |
| SCQF Credits | 20 |
ECTS Credits | 10 |
| Summary | The course examines the history and contested nature of what counts as knowledge in geography. It deals with how geographers have investigated and understood the world in the past, and how they do so now, and considers the implications of those histories and practices. The course asks questions about the construction of geographical knowledge in terms of trust and epistemology and of the bases to truth claims in, for example, geographical fieldwork.
Please note this is a core course for students on the Geography Degree Programmes, and Sustainable Development (Geography Pathway). This course is open to all university students, however priority will be given to the degree programmes listed here. |
| Course description |
The course examines the history and contested nature of what counts as knowledge in geography. It deals with how geographers have investigated and understood the world in the past, and how they do so now, and considers the implications of these histories and practices. The course asks questions about the construction of geographical knowledge in terms of trust and epistemology and of the bases to truth claims in, for example, geographical fieldwork.
Please note this is a core course for students on the Geography Degree Programmes, and Sustainable Development (Geography Pathway). This course is open to all university students; priority will be given, however, to the degree programmes listed here.
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Entry Requirements (not applicable to Visiting Students)
| Pre-requisites |
|
Co-requisites | |
| Prohibited Combinations | |
Other requirements | None |
Information for Visiting Students
| Pre-requisites | None |
| High Demand Course? |
Yes |
Course Delivery Information
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| Academic year 2017/18, Available to all students (SV1)
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Quota: None |
| Course Start |
Semester 1 |
Timetable |
Timetable |
| Learning and Teaching activities (Further Info) |
Total Hours:
200
(
Lecture Hours 11,
Seminar/Tutorial Hours 8,
Feedback/Feedforward Hours 2,
Programme Level Learning and Teaching Hours 4,
Directed Learning and Independent Learning Hours
175 )
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| Assessment (Further Info) |
Written Exam
60 %,
Coursework
40 %,
Practical Exam
0 %
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| Additional Information (Assessment) |
Written Exam: 60%, Course Work: 40 %, Practical Exam: 0%.
Degree Essay (40%) of 1500 words (not including bibliography) and exam (2 questions) (60%) |
| Feedback |
Feedback is provided via comments upon the class assessment. Feedback on the degree assessment (essay and examination) is provided via the timetabled Feedback session in semester 2. |
| Exam Information |
| Exam Diet |
Paper Name |
Hours & Minutes |
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| Main Exam Diet S1 (December) | The Nature of Geographical Knowledge | 2:00 | |
Learning Outcomes
On completion of this course, the student will be able to:
- Understand the ways in which geographers construct geographical knowledge
- Assess the philosophical approaches and ideas used in thinking about the situated nature of geographical knowledge
- Assess the merits of different claims to geographical knowledge
- Present and defend reasoned arguments on the nature of knowledge in geography
- Understand the "scientific method" and associated critiques.
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Reading List
There is no single text which covers the course's entire scope, but the following books each contain useful material. A wide variety of readings will be provided via LEARN.
1. Clifford N., S. Holloway, S. Rice and G. Valentine 2009 Key Concepts in Geography. London, Sage.
2. Johnston, Ron J., and James D. Sidaway. Geography and Geographers: Anglo-American Human Geography since 1945. 7 ed. London: Arnold, 2004. [GF13 Joh.]
3. Livingstone, David N. The Geographical Tradition: Episodes in the History of a Contested Enterprise. Oxford: Blackwell, 1992. [G80 Liv.]
4. Martin, Geoffrey J. All Possible Worlds: A History of Geographical Ideas. 4th ed. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2005. [G80 Mar.]
5. Dictionary of Human Geography (eds. Johnston R., D. Gregory, G. Pratt and M. Watts, Blackwell, 2000) contains many useful definitions of key terms.
6. Inkpen, R. and W. Graham (2013) Science, Philosophy and Physical Geography, 2nd ed. London: Routledge |
Additional Information
| Graduate Attributes and Skills |
Students will be able to demonstrate skills in researching, assessing, presenting and defending reasoned arguments on the nature of knowledge in geography.
Students will also be able to demonstrate an ability to acquire and apply specialist knowledge.
Finally, students will be able to communicate effectively both orally and in writing. |
| Keywords | GEGR09012,geographical knowledge |
Contacts
| Course organiser | Prof Charles Withers
Tel: (0131 6)50 2559
Email: Jackie.Allan@ed.ac.uk |
Course secretary | Miss Kirsty Allan
Tel: (0131 6)50 9847
Email: |
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