GEOG3090Society and Space

Course handbook

Description

Society and Space studies the dynamics of large cities and urban places, in particular, their patterns of intra-urban social variation, their cultural construction, the distribution of power and status in cities and manifestations of everyday life such as home, sport, and shopping. The course reflects the three major themes of contemporary social and cultural geography, place and place management, social groups and space and everyday spaces. Through these themes issues of socio-spatial power are related to class, gender, sexuality, race, age and disability. The course employs a range of geographical methods and skills to evaluate and synthesise information about representations of the city and the social construction of urban space.This is the compulsory 3000 level capstone course for the Human Geography and the Environment major within the Bachelor of Arts program. This course will consolidate the knowledge and skills that students have acquired in previous courses for this major. Enrolment in this 3000 level capstone course is based on the expectation that students have successfully completed the 1000 and 2000 level compulsory courses for this major, or have successfully completed at least 20 units of 3000 level directed courses from this major.

Availability2024 Course Timetables

Learning outcomes

On successful completion of the course students will be able to:

1. Analyse dynamics and patterns of social differentiation of large cities, inner city areas and suburbs.

2. Analyse spatial patterns of advantage and disadvantage, through an examination of inequalities associated with race, gender, sexuality, age and disability;

3. Evaluate manifestations of everyday life in the city;

4. Demonstrate knowledge of theoretical approaches with which to examine and evaluate the city and its patterns and problems;

5. Demonstrate a range of skills and methods relevant to geographical enquiry and communication, which may be transferable to other subject and employment areas;

6. Work in small groups to produce a professional report

Content

Place and Place Management

Place, Space, Culture and Social Relations

The Significance of Neighbourhoods

Privileged Neighbourhoods

Social Exclusion and Neighbourhoods/Cities

Social Groups and Space

Spatial patterns of advantage and disadvantage

Oppression and Politics of Difference

Embodiment, Intersectionality and Performativity

Visibility and Invisibility

Citizenship and social protest

(a) race

(b) class

(c) gender

(d) sexuality

(e) age

(f) disability

(g) homelessness

Everyday spaces in the city

Geographies of everyday life

(a) house and garden

(b) sport and leisure

(c) shopping and consumption

(d) eating/ drinking

Assumed knowledge

Either GEOG2080 or GEOG2130 or SOCS2400. Students enrolled in B Arts - Human Geography and the Environment Major to have successfully completed GEOG1020 and GEOG2080 OR 20 units of 3000 level Directed courses from this major.

Assessment items

Report: Neighbourhood Report

Tutorial / Laboratory Exercises: Tutorial summaries and critical reflections (Social group essay)

Essay: Social group essay

Written Assignment: Student hazard matrix, Literature review, Everyday spaces poster

Contact hours

Semester 2 - 2024 - Callaghan

Course outline

Course outline not yet available.