Students on the MA programme have a choice of one optional module, including either a subject-specific Level 7 module from within the School of Geography, Geology and Environment or an advanced level methods module from within the School of Social, Global and Political Studies. Those with an interest with developing their repertoire of research skills will be encouraged to take a further advanced level methods module from the latter school; in contrast, those wanting exposure to subject-specific content will be directed towards a Level 7 modules in Human Geography or Environment / Sustainability and which are delivered from the School of Geography, Geology and Environment.
The optional module is worth 15 credits in total. Those following the PG Diploma or PG Certificate are not able to choose any optional modules. In 2021/22, this included the following modules, by way of example.
Rural Geographies (Masters)
The division of 'rural' and 'urban' is one of the oldest ideas in Geography, but is it still relevant today? How might it be changing and what are the consequences for those living or working in rural areas? Drawing on a range of concepts and theories relevant to rural geography and the broader discipline, this module helps you respond to such questions. Firstly, you will critically analyse how rural society and economy has changed over the last 50 years - both temporally and spatially - and the impact of these changes on rural localities and the everyday lives of those in rural areas. Then, you'll consider the ways in which national and local governments alike, as well as rural communities themselves have attempted to respond to such changes and the effectiveness of those responses.
Economic Development and Environmental Transformation (Masters)
This module introduces the sectoral, area-based, and conceptual approaches that characterise much development geography research through case-studies of global economic and environmental concerns and local resistance to transnational environmental actions. You will explore key ideas from this subdiscipline including political ecology - the study of environments as products of social action - and performative economy - the idea of economy as an abstract realm we bring into being by describing it. In doing so, you will become familiar with geographical understandings of economic and environmental history, including local resistance to 'green grabbing' and conservation.
Postcolonialism in South Asia (Masters)
Using South Asia as a case study to introduce some of the key issues within postcolonial studies, this module develops your understanding of the present-day relevance of postcolonial concepts, impacts and workings in a geographical context. It will enable you to generate a geographical framework through which to deconstruct the power structures of the past and present, both institutional and mental structures, to understand their spatial implications and expressions for landscapes and societies.
Animals and Society (Masters)
Non-human animals interact with humans on a daily basis as wildlife, livestock, food, clothing, companions, load-bearing animals, entertainment and therapy. Geography has had a pivotal role in shaping these everyday lives and deaths, and influencing these human-animal interactions and identities. Animals and Society draws from research in animal geographies to explore and understand these complex relationships across space and time.
Case Studies in Sustainability (Masters)
The ability to assimilate data, work as a team and solve problems is fundamental to any career development. In this module, you will work as a member of a team to analyse and consider scientific, political, management and ethical issues relating to problems in the environmental sustainability and green technology sectors. Reviewing several case studies and scenarios, you will increase your awareness of issues relevant to the sustainability agenda, such as waste products from standard procedures. You will also build your confidence in assessing and evaluating complex and often conflicting information.
Ethics in Research
You'll develop a critical understanding of key ethical issues in research, across academic and professional disciplines in social science, humanities and health. The focus of the module is on ethical analysis of such issues from a multidisciplinary perspective, rather than on specific regulatory and governance processes.
Advanced Qualitative Research Methods
Building on your existing knowledge, this module delivers comprehensive advanced level training in the principles and practices of qualitative social science research, investigation and data analysis. You will learn how to develop a qualitative research design, plan your methods of investigation, and analyse the data with the aid of qualitative data analysis software, receiving advanced IT training in NVivo, a leading tool for qualitative and mixed-methods data analysis.
Ethnographic Research
Ethnography is an approach to researching social life and culture that is traditionally found in the fields of anthropology and symbolic interactionism. Today, ethnographic methods are used in a broader spectrum of social science fields in order to unpack the nuance of everyday interactions. A combination of participation and observation in particular cultural settings makes ethnographic research distinct from other qualitative methods of inquiry, when seeking to understand cultural processes and individuals' roles as participants. This module has been designed to offer greater understanding of the theoretical and philosophical underpinnings of ethnographic research, as well as providing the opportunity to gain practical experience in conducting observational work.