GEG-30014: Inspirational Landscapes

2011-12 Module Handbook

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The idea of landscape is at the heart of Geography. This module explores landscape from a variety of different perspectives to see how the big ideas of Geography tie together in the context of this overarching theme. Many different types of people have been inspired in many different ways by many different landscapes. Marcel Proust wrote that the true voyage of discovery involves not seeing new lands but seeing through new eyes and seeing through the eyes of different people. In this module we look at landscape through both geographers’ eyes and artists’ eyes. Also through the eyes of poets, explorers, novelists, composers, etc… We hope that you see landscape in new  ways, and therefore start to see more. The module has been awarded a Keele University Teaching Innovation Award and is unique in being taught jointly by a Physical Geographer, a Human Geographer, and a visiting artist. The module is suitable for students from all parts of Geography including the Physical Geography, Human Geography and Geography degree routes at Keele. 
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The assessment is project-based (no exam), and students can submit work either as a conventional written report, in another medium such as video, or in a multimedia format. Students are free to tie the project directly to their own interests in areas such as music, film or literature or to adopt a more traditional geomorphological, historical, cultural or applied approach to landscape.
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A lot of students really enjoy this module...
"The class was amazing... best class through the whole of Uni" 
(student  on WebCT discussion board, Feb '09)


...but some students really don't like it at all!
"I wouldn't recommend it to those who are stuck in their ways about geography 
because unless you're willing to open up to new ideas then you won't benefit." 
(student  on WebCT discussion board Feb '09)



Module leader - Dr Peter G Knight