This module explores the emerging field of digital geography. The core theme represents an investigation into how our everyday lives are mediated and influenced by technology. Technology is becoming ubiquitous to our engagements with the world around us and increasingly as we move around and experience places we do so equipped with sophisticated digital equipment. Changes in personal mobile technologies, such as GPS enabled smart phones and activity tracking apps often lead to changes in our culture and practices as we undertaken our everyday lives. For example, recent research on Navigational GPS, illustrates how the devices have changed people’s wayfinding behaviour, processes and practices.

This module will explore how technology becomes interwoven and embedded into lives and practices as well as investigating the intended and unintended consequences that result from such technologization. This module will have a strong theoretical component which will explore how scholars investigate and model our interactions with technology and place. This will focus upon new materialist thinkers such as Latour and Michael and theories such as ‘practice theory’ and ‘actor network theory’. These approaches have contributed to our understanding complex issues, which will be illustrated via academic case studies of specific technologies which have altered societal practices in some way.

Summative Assessment:
1 x 2250 word essay based upon identifying how a specific technology has re-shaped a practice/behaviour, including an account of the dynamics of the change [Learning outcomes 1 – 7]

Formative Assessment:
Opportunities for ongoing formative feedback will be provided during class sessions via strategies such as discussion of key issues and formative feedback on in-class and field worksheets. Students will also be provided with the opportunity to receive feedback on their essay plans

8 Lectures covering the key themes and perspectives (16 hrs)

2 Seminars employing a variety of strategies to engage with the material in-depth (4hrs)

Guided independent learning including assessment preparation (130 hrs)

Kitchin, R., Dodge, M. (2011) Code/Space: Software and Everyday Life. MIT Press, Cambridge MA.

Lupton, D. (2016) The Quantified Self, Polity Press, New York.

Michael, M. (2009) Technoscience and Everyday Life, Open University Press, Maidenhead.

Shove, E., Pantzar, M., Watson, M. (2012) The Dynamics of Social Practice: Everyday Life and how it Changes. Sage, London.

White, D., Wilbert, C. (Eds)(2009) Technonatures: Environments, Technologies, Spaces, and Places in the Twenty-First
Century. Wilfrid Laurier University Press, Waterloo.

None

1) Demonstrate a critical understanding the issues associated with our increasing involvement with, and reliance upon, technology.
[KNOWLEDGE & UNDERSTANDING]

2) Demonstrate advanced understanding how specific technologies have influenced and changed practices and lifestyles.
[ENQUIRY]

3) Demonstrate a critical understanding of the concepts and theories relating to the technologisation of space.
[ANALYSIS]

4) Critically evaluate the role of technology in shaping everyday practices by applying the appropriate theory and concepts.
[ANALYSIS, ENQUIRY, PROBLEM SOLVING]

5) Demonstrate an advanced and critical understanding of the moral and ethical issues around technological surveillance and Big Data.
[ENQUIRY, ANALYSIS]

6) Demonstrate a critical understanding of the potential value and uses of technology in terms of health and sustainability policy.
[ANALYSIS, APPLICATION, REFLECTION]