This module is a core module in the Human Geography field. It can be taken as an option module by students studying other fields provided they have successfully completed GE1B, Introduction to Human Geography.
The module is designed to introduce students to the basic principles of investigating a range of contemporary global issues in terms of their political economy. This includes a wide range of spatial issues from the local to the global and the inter-linkages and process that bind them together. The key focus is to understand how contemporary capitalism plays out across different spatial levels and to highlight the processes that underpin it and the implications for different communities. This includes exploring relations between, state, business and citizens.
On successful completion of the module, students will be able to:
This multi-disciplinary module is designed to examine the relations between capitalism and regional development and how their interaction has shaped different political communities and contemporary world orders. It explores the major theoretical traditions and debates, old and new, on the nexus between capitalism and development geography and combines these theoretical perspectives with in-depth interrogations of historical materialism. These processes and their impacts are explored at a range of spatial scales through an examination of key events, processes, communities, policies and actors that have shaped crises, revolutions, conquest and struggles.
Throughout the course, attention will be paid to current political economic events at global and local scales to develop a geographical assessment and interpretation, the focus being the keynote lectures. This approach is extended through in-class discussions and Q&A sessions on key issues reported in the media. Library study and guided reading form an essential component of the course. The course is also supported through the use of Canvas, for information, communication and teaching. Students are expected to produce four pieces of course work, one independent written project, one seminar presentation, one computer based test and one seen written test. For these assignments time in lectures and seminars is allocated for discussion and feedback. This will take the form of sub group discussions around key themes and problems arising from written work, planning and writing workshops, theoretical discourse analysis, individual presentations and peer review sessions, and positive reinforcement of good practice.
To understand the governance structures within a global city the group will visit a range of institutions to understand the develop challenges they face in terms of balancing the needs of stakeholders and adhering to some basic principles of sustainable development. These may include Greater London Authority, London Councils, Homes and Communities Agency, Social Enterprise London, Greater London Volunteering and anti-capitalist movements.
To help promote better learning the group will be divided into smaller tutorial groups which will meet on a regular basis to discuss common issues around course work, areas that individuals find challenging and provide an opportunity for feedback from the tutor.
| Definitive UNISTATS Category | Indicative Description | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Scheduled learning and teaching | 20x2 hr Key note lectures (Each lecture will tackle a key development theme or theory and explore related debates and examples from the literature) | 40 |
| Scheduled learning and teaching | 10x2 hr seminars (Students will have to present on chosen topic of study) | 20 |
| Scheduled learning and teaching | 10 hr Project supervision (Q & A sessions will be run for sub groups and individuals to cover course work support) | 10 |
| Scheduled learning and teaching | 10 hr External Visit (Institutions as indicated) | 10 |
| Scheduled learning and teaching | 20 hr Instrumental tuition (Time used for feedback groups and transferable skill development) | 20 |
| Guided independent study | Independent student study | 200 |
| Total (number of credits x 10) | 300 | |
Assessment is based upon coursework and examination comprising of three elements: individual essay, an online test and in class seen test. The essay will explore, from a political economy perspective, a current development issue of your choice. The online test is a multiple choice assessment designed to interrogate a fundamental working knowledge of contemporary capitalism. The seen test will examine the students' understanding and knowledge of political economic processes, concepts and theories and will be delivered as a seen examination towards the end of the module, with two weeks of preparation time allocated. This is designed to test and enhance written, organisational, critical thinking and recall skills, under timed conditions.
Formative assessment and feedback will be delivered through seminars, lectures, project supervision, during external visits and through a mentoring scheme. This will provide regular and detailed feedforward on draft work and feedback to students so that they can develop an awareness of their rate and level of progress and of their strengths and weaknesses. On-going discussion via the module team will assist the student in the development of strategies for improvement and enhancement. This will take the form of sub group discussions around key themes and problems arising from written work, planning and writing workshops, theoretical discourse analysis, individual presentations and peer review sessions, and positive reinforcement of good practice.
| Learning Outcome | Assessment Strategy |
|---|---|
| 1) Explain the principal approaches to the study of political economy. | Formative assessment in seminars and lectures. Essay on chosen subject, on line test and in class seen test. |
| 2) Recognise and interpret different political economy processes across a range of geographical scales. | Formative assessment in seminars and lectures through discussion with mentors and staff. Project on chosen subject, on line test and in class seen test. |
| 3) Critically evaluate and interpret the role and function of nation states. | Formative assessment in seminars and lectures with mentors and staff. Project on chosen subject, on line test and in class seen test. |
| 4) Relate geo-political perspectives to contemporary global issues and economic competition. | Formative assessments during seminar presentations (Q & A sessions). Separate mentor formative sessions. Project on chosen subject, online test and in class test. |
| 5) Evaluate representations of political economy processes in all media. | Weekly discussions on key contemporary themes and chosen project topic – formative seminar presentations. |
| 6) Comprehend governance and work issues at a range of spatial levels. | Formative assessment in seminars, field visits and lectures. Project on chosen subject, on line test and in class test. |
| Description of Assessment | Definitive UNISTATS Categories | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Essay | Coursework | 40% |
| Online test | Exam | 20% |
| Seen exam | Exam | 40% |
| Total (to equal 100%) | 100% | |
It is NOT a requirement that the major element of assessment is passed in order to achieve an overall pass for the module.
Best, J and Paterson, M. (2010), Cultural political economy, London, London : Routledge.
Paul, T. & Turpin, P. 2008. The moral rhetoric of political economy, London, London : Routledge.
Robert, O. & O'Brien, R. 2010. Global political economy: evolution and dynamics, Basingstoke, Basingstoke : Palgrave Macmillan.
Issa, G. S. & Shivji, I. G. 2007. Silences in NGO discourse : the role and future of NGOs in Africa, Oxford, Oxford : Fahamu.
Lee, D. 2011. International Political Economy.
Betts, A (2010), Global migration governance, Oxford, Oxford : Oxford University Press: 2010