This module introduces students to historical and contemporary economic, social and cultural processes that shape modern geographies and argues that we cannot begin to understand our present without exploring the past. The lectures provide a general overview of major processes that have shaped and continue to remake our human geographies. In the first semester, students will examine the emergence of European colonialism and capitalism and their impacts in Europe and the rest of the world and ends with a consideration of contemporary globalisation and its geographical implications. The nature of contemporary globalisation is analysed and compared and contrasted to global processes in the past. A selection of the most significant elements of contemporary geographical transformations is studied in depth: global governance; global food networks; demographical changes and challenges and diverse development trajectories. In the second semester, students will focus on contemporary economic, social and urban transformations. Students will investigate inequalities at a variety of scales and are introduced to concepts such as social inequalities and marginalisation, urban regeneration and transformation, and geographies of the economy and the global financial system.

Practical and fieldwork examples are employed to illustrate these themes and to introduce students to a range of quantitative and qualitative techniques which will be used in more advanced studies in levels 5 and 6. Practical and field approaches are also used to develop students' independent and group-work skills.

1x essay 1500 words (TB 1, 50%) [Learning Outcomes 1 & 3)

This essay is informed by the fieldtrip to Liverpool’s Albert Docks and the International Museum of Slavery, helping contextualise the process of globalisation past and present.

1x examination- 2 hours (TB 2, 50%) [Learning outcomes 2 & 4] – Final assessment

This examination has a seen essay question based upon the Salford Quays fieldtrip. This element of the assessment allows students to demonstrate their skills as geographical researchers drawing data directly from research undertaken during the fieldtrip.

Teaching Block 1:
12 lectures (1 hr each)
12 seminars/workshops (normally 1 hour each)

Teaching Block 2:
12 lectures (2 hrs each)

Independent study
236 hours of reading and research associated with lectures and workshops/seminar activities and preparation for the assessments

Two 1 day fieldtrips:
TB1 x 8hrs
TB2 x 8hrs

Cloke, P., Crang, P. and Goodwin, M. (2013)(3rd ed) Introducing Human Geographies. [Routledge, London]

Daniels, S. and Sideway, J. (2012) An Introduction to Human Geography [Pearson, London]

Hall, T., Hubbard, P. and Short, J.R. (2008) The Sage Companion to the City, [Sage, London]

Knox, P. Agnew, J and McCartney, L (2014) The Geography of the World Economy [Routledge, London]

Murray, W. E. (2006) Geographies of Globalization [Routledge, London]

Potter et.al (2004) Geographies of Development [Pearson, London]

Appropriate maps, field equipment and mobile devices for the completion of the field work elements of the module.

None.

1) Understand a wide range of basic human geography concepts and issues, including the historical evolution of the global economy and the patterns and processes that continue to reshape our world and its social, economic, political characteristics.
(KNOWLEDGE & UNDERSTANDING, LEARNING, ENQUIRY)

2) Develop an understanding of the economic, political, social processes that help explain the world’s spatial and temporal diversity.
(KNOWLEDGE & UNDERSTANDING, LEARNING, ENQUIRY, ANALYSIS, REFLECTION)

3) Understand the range of sources available to investigate the human environment.
(ENQUIRY, ANALYSIS, PROBLEM SOLVING)

4) Employ a range of geographical methodologies to investigate human geography and its complex manifestations. Applied through fieldwork and subsequent assessments.
(PROBLEM SOLVING, COMMUNICATION, APPLICATION, REFLECTION)