Module Learning Outcome University Learning Outcome
1. Define and demonstrate an advanced and critical understanding of key concepts of ‘transnational’ studies, with particular reference to Human Geography
Knowledge and Understanding: Enquiry

2. Define and demonstrate an advanced and critical understanding of transnational geographies in political, economic, scientific, cultural contexts within the period c.1850-Present
Knowledge and Understanding: Enquiry

3. Identify, research and present a transnational ‘mapping’ in a poster format
Application; Communication

4. Research and analyse a transnational geography case-study within the period c.1850-Present using appropriate academic sources
Application; analysis; communication

Transnational mapping poster draws on LOs 1,2,3
The essay assignment draws on LOs 1,2,4

There has been a ‘transnational turn’ across the social sciences; this is not to ignore nation-states, but an approach ‘that focuses on relations and formations, circulations and connections, between, across and through these units [especially the nation-state], and how they have been made, not made and unmade’ (Saunier).

Other terms congruent with this approach include ‘oceanic, world, comparative, connected, entangled, shared, cosmopolitan…translocal…cross-national’ (Saunier). Human Geography, with its foundational concepts of space, time and location (and located-ness) is very well placed to contribute to, and offer evaluation of, this ‘transnational turn’.

The module highlights networks and global interdependence for c.1850 to the present day. It uses key concepts from Saunier and others to study transnational geographies across the following analytical categories (though operationally these often overlap): political, economic, scientific, cultural. Indicative example topics for these categories may include transnational feminism; commodity chains; Antarctica as a transnational scientific endeavour; world fairs and expositions.

The module concludes with two ‘networks’ in formation: the geopolitical ‘Belt and Road’ project by China as a new ‘Silk Road’ with a remarkable geographical reach and ambition, and the organising power of the concept of the ‘Anthropocene ’ to generate transnational centres of research and communication.

The module will be delivered through a combination of:

(a) Workshops that will comprise tutor introductions to theoretical concepts and the case-studies, group discussion, and group study of primary source extracts, written and visual.

(b) independent learning for guided reading from the module bibliography and identifying relevant academic reading beyond the initial reading list

(c) Assignment preparation for planning, researching, poster preparation and essay writing

Bulkeley, Harriet (2018) Transnational Climate Change Governance. CUP, Cambridge.
Dodds, Klaus (2012) The Antarctic: A Very Short Introduction. OUP: Oxford.
Frankopan, P (2018) The New Silk Roads: The Present and Future of the World. Bloomsbury: London.
Iriye, A & Saunier, P-Y (eds.) (2009) The Palgrave Dictionary of Transnational History: From the mid-19th century to the present day. Palgrave-Macmillan: Basingstoke.
Greenhalgh, P. Fair World: A History of World Fairs and Expositions: From London to Shanghai 1851-2010. Papadakis: London
Iriye, A (ed.) (2014) Global Interdependence: The World after 1945. Belknap Press of Harvard Univ. Press: Cambridge, Mass.
Jackson, P (2011) Transnational Spaces. Routledge: London.
Rosenberg, E. (ed.) A World Connecting: 1870-1945. Belknap Press of Harvard Univ. Press: Cambridge, Mass.
Routledge, P & Cumbers, A Global Justice Networks: Geographies of transnational solidarity MUP: Manchester.
Saunier, P-Y (2013) Transnational History. Palgrave-Macmillan: Basingstoke.
[University of York] ‘£10M Centre for Anthropocene Biodiversity announced’,https://www.york.ac.uk/biology/news-events/other/10mcentreforanthropocenebiodiversityannounced/ {accessed 27.2.19}
Walsh, K (2018) Transnational Geographies of the Heart: Intimate subjectivities in a globalising city. Wiley-Blackwell: 2018.

High quality teaching space with usual audio-visual facilities
Library resources both physical and online
Blackboard
Box of Broadcasts
CAE Art Shop and ‘Print Bureau’ for poster materials and presentation

Completed 120 credits at Level 4 and 120 credits at Level 5