GEO8017 : Human Geography: Concepts in Action
- Offered for Year: 2025/26
- Module Leader(s): Dr Ingrid A. Medby
- Lecturer: Dr Jessa Loomis, Professor Danny MacKinnon, Dr Kathryn Manzo, Dr Kean Fan Lim, Dr Astrid Wood, Dr Michael Richardson, Dr Matthew Richmond, Dr Wen Lin, Dr Niall Cunningham, Dr Josep Almudever Chanza
- Owning School: Geography, Politics & Sociology
- Teaching Location: Newcastle City Campus
Semesters
Your programme is made up of credits, the total differs on programme to programme.
| Semester 1 Credit Value: | 20 |
| ECTS Credits: | 10.0 |
| European Credit Transfer System | |
Aims
• To illustrate a variety of key concepts and themes of study within human geography
• To highlight the diversity of cross-cutting analytical approaches applicable to key concepts and themes within human geography
• To introduce students to the research specialisms and culture of human geography at Newcastle University
• To highlight the relevance of human geography, and the roles of the geographer, through the examination of concepts and their application in research.
Concepts covered often include space and place, population representation, environment, labour, capital, modernities, identity and landscape. Thematic approaches usually include social and cultural geographies, political geographies, and economic geographies. Each concept or theme is introduced through a lecture where the concept and its application in research is discussed, and guidance is given on further reading. A seminar then follows, which is structured around student discussions of key readings, with staff input as appropriate.
Assessment for this module is through a student presentation on a chosen concept, and a subsequent extended essay.
Outline Of Syllabus
Semester 1 will usually be structured as follows.
1. Introduction to the module - The Importance of Concepts in Human Geography Research: lecture
2. Lecture and seminar
3. Lecture and seminar
4. Lecture and seminar
5. Lecture and seminar
6. Assessed presentations
7. Lecture and seminar
8. Lecture and seminar
9. Lecture and seminar
10. Lecture and seminar
11. Lecture and seminar
Teaching Methods
Teaching Activities
| Category | Activity | Number | Length | Student Hours | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Lecture | 11 | 1:00 | 11:00 | Present in Person |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Small group teaching | 11 | 2:00 | 22:00 | Present in Person |
| Guided Independent Study | Independent study | 1 | 167:00 | 167:00 | N/A |
| Total | 200:00 |
Teaching Rationale And Relationship
The lectures give an overview of the application of a specific concept and how the individual lecturer has put it into action through his or her own research. The seminars are all-group discussions, based around readings, of the application of a specific concept to practical research.
Assessment Methods
The format of resits will be determined by the Board of Examiners
Exams
| Description | Length | Semester | When Set | Percentage | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oral Presentation | 15 | 1 | A | 25 | Assessed presentation on a geographical concept. To be scheduled by School. |
Other Assessment
| Description | Semester | When Set | Percentage | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Essay | 1 | M | 75 | An extended essay (3,500 words) on a geographical concept in action |
Assessment Rationale And Relationship
The oral presentation assesses oral communication skills.
The written assessment assesses written communication skills.
Both assess the student’s ability to apply a geographical concept to a abstract or applied piece of empirical research.
Reading Lists
Timetable
- Timetable Website: www.ncl.ac.uk/timetable/
- GEO8017's Timetable