-
GEG130
Globalisation
This module explores the fundamental geographical concept of globalisation, introduces students to theories seeking to explain the processes of globalisation, and examines the implications of globalisation for the geography of the global economy, energy production, distribution and consumption, and human and non-human mobility.
-
GEG133
Natural Hazards and Society
This module investigates hazardous aspects of Earth¿s natural environment and how society relates to them. Introductory principles include the definition of natural hazard, disaster, risk and loss, and approaches to reducing risk and managing disasters. Major types of natural hazard are studied in order to understand how they operate, where, and how frequently they are likely to occur. Hazardous consequences are explored, as well as how society can respond to hazardous events. Key aspects include discussion of primary and secondary hazards, prediction, forecasting and monitoring of hazards, and understanding how their harmful effects can be minimised.
Natural hazards considered during this module include volcanic eruptions, earthquakes, tsunamis, wildfires, landslides, extreme weather events, flooding, avalanches and Mega Hazards. Lecture material considers general principles as well as case studies. The module is compulsory for students taking BSc Environmental Geoscience.
-
GEG252B
Geographical Fieldwork skills: Berlin
The module is concerned with identifying and defining geographical questions in Berlin and applying the relevant geographical skills, knowledge and techniques to these questions. The general aims are to observe, analyse and achieve an understanding of the varied geographies and landscapes of the city. The emphasis is on the cultural, political, urban and economic geographies of Berlin, focussing on landscapes of power and memory, counter-culture and gentrification, and culture and everyday life in the city. The module comprises preparatory lectures and small-group preparation work in Swansea, and a week's fieldwork in Berlin. Assessment is entirely through coursework.
-
GEG306
Violent Geographies
The modern world has proven itself to be incredibly brutal and destructive, with the last century being the most destructive century in human history. Not only have new forms of violence and ruination been brought into being and their operation intensified and accelerated (from the industrial slaughter of animals and humans to the wholesale annihilation of environments and populations), but the future itself has been increasingly recast as catastrophic, apocalyptic, and dystopian. It is arguably easier to imagine the end of the world than the end of the modern, capitalist world system. This module explores the violent geographies of the modern world, with particular emphasis on revolutionary, biopolitical, quotidian, and financial violence. A key consideration is the extent to which the alternative `Capitalism or Barbarism¿ will be swept away by a resurgence of `Communism.¿
-
GEG331
Dissertation Report: Geography
The dissertation is an original, substantive and independent research project in an aspect of Geography. The dissertation research project is based on 20 - 25 days of primary research (e.g fieldwork, lab work, archive work) and several months of analysis and write-up. The end result must be less than 10,000 words of text. The dissertation offers you the chance to follow your personal interests and to demonstrate your capabilities as a Geographer. During the course of your dissertation, you will be supported by a peer-led discussion group and a staff supervisor. Lectures and guidance are delivered via this module and peer and staff led Dissertation Support Groups are delivered via GEG332. Participating in Dissertation Support Groups is vital, and is assessed and, in these groups, students will provide constructive criticism to fellow students undertaking related research projects, learning from their research problems and subsequent solutions. This support and supervision is delivered through GEG332, which is a co- requisite.
-
GEG332
Dissertation Support: Geography
This module provides structured, student-led peer-group support and academic staff group supervision for students undertaking the 30-credit 'Dissertation Report: Geography' module.
This support and supervision is assessed through the submission of the Dissertation Outline and the Dissertation Support Group Reflection and Attendance Log.
Working within a supervised Student Peer Group, students have the opportunity to provide constructive criticism to fellow students undertaking related research projects, learning from their research problems and subsequent solutions. Group sessions are the main support provision as student¿s work through their Dissertation.
This module complements the 'Dissertation Report: Geography' module, which is a co-requisite.
-
GEGM15
Qualitative Research Methods
This is a ¿hands on¿ module concerned specifically with how to effectively and reflectively ¿do¿ qualitative methods in the social sciences. It complements and builds on similar modules in quantitative approaches and epistemological and ontological frameworks such as CRM02, CRM03, POM32 and EDM18.
After two initial lectures situating the contested and shifting notion of ¿the field¿ and relationships between theory and practice, students will engage in a series of hands-on, practical workshops in specific methods.
Workshops will be of 3 hours duration each and will include a theoretical element, a practice element and a reflection element. Following each workshop students will be asked to complete a short, 800-word reflection on the applicability of the research method to their discipline and set of research questions. Students will be encouraged in their reflections to consider both the practical and academic aspects of ¿doing¿ each method. The completed reflective portfolio will be handed in at the end of the course for marking. The methods will vary depending on the staff complement teaching the module from year to year, but are very likely to include:
¿ Ethnographic methods and observation
¿ Archival research, oral history and biographical methods.
¿ Organisational research and interviewing elite actors
¿ Questionnaires, interviews and focus groups
¿ Mobile methods
¿ Participatory action research
¿ Textual and online methods.
-
GEGM28
Society-Environment Relations
This module will ensure that students have the critical foundations for a sophisticated consideration of the entanglements between social and environmental worlds, and of the role that Human Geography has played in developing these understandings. The module opens with a conceptual consideration of society-environment relations, and how this is embedded within both historical and contemporary trajectories of geographic thought. The module then considers ten concepts through which we might think ¿ and rethink ¿ these entanglements between humans, non-humans and the environment. In so doing it highlights how geographers can contribute to thinking afresh about global change. The module is taught through seminars, but also encourages students to reflect critically on the ideas presented via 2 creative encounters (e.g. a film, an artwork) and through a reflective reading journal.
-
GEGM31
Violent Geographies
The modern world has proven itself to be incredibly brutal and destructive, with the last century being the most destructive century in human history. Not only have new forms of violence and ruination been brought into being and their operation intensified and accelerated (from the industrial slaughter of animals and humans to the wholesale annihilation of environments and populations), but the future itself has been increasingly recast as catastrophic, apocalyptic, and dystopian. It is arguably easier to imagine the end of the world than the end of the modern, capitalist world system. This module explores the violent geographies of the modern world, with particular emphasis on revolutionary, biopolitical, quotidian, and financial violence. A key consideration is the extent to which the alternative `Capitalism or Barbarism¿ will be swept away by a resurgence of `Communism.¿
