Unit information: Spaces of Neoliberalism in 2011/12

Unit name	Spaces of Neoliberalism
Unit code	GEOGM0004
Credit points	20
Level of study	M/7
Teaching block(s)	Teaching Block 2 (weeks 13 - 24)
Unit director	Professor. Larner
Open unit status	Not open
Pre-requisites	None
Co-requisites	None
School/department	School of Geographical Sciences
Faculty	Faculty of Science

Description including Unit Aims

Geographies of political economy have recently focused on the political formation known as 'neoliberalism'. This political formation has been explored in a range of substantive literatures, including those on global governance, the competition state, the entrepreneurial city and governmentality. Analysts of neoliberalism also draw on diverse theoretical frameworks including international political economy, cultural anthropology, the regulation approach, neo-Foucauldian analyses, actor-network theory, Gramscian state theory and feminism. This course will explore these literatures, showing how geographical conceptions of neoliberalism reflect its complex reality as a contradictory political-economic, cultural, and governmental construction. Particular attention will be paid to the diverse forms, functions, and faces of neoliberalism in both the global North and the global South, variously emphasizing its roles in shaping state strategies, innovative modes of governance, new kinds of political subjectivity, and the gendered and racialised consequences of these.

The unit aims to introduce students to contemporary theoretical and empirical debates in the geographies of neoliberalism. Specifically, it provides a spatial understanding of:

• key theoretical concepts and categories employed in geographical political economy

• contemporary debates regarding the conceptualisation and evaluation of governmental and political formations;

• the relationships between theory, research and politics.

Learning objectives:

• To develop an awareness of the different geographies of neoliberalism;

• To develop an awareness of the implications of different theoretical approaches;

• To develop an awareness of contemporary debates regarding the conceptualisation and evaluation of new political, economic, social and cultural formations;

• To develop an awareness of the sense of political commitment and social responsibility in research endeavours;

• To develop an awareness of the potential policy and critical applications of political economic research.

Intended Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this unit, students will be able to:

• Mobilise a set of concepts and categories focusing on the emergence of new political-economic forms at scales ranging from the global to the body.

• Have the ability to critically assess and practically apply these concepts to the evaluation of empirical case studies and the design of research projects.

The following transferable skills are developed in this Unit:

• Written and verbal communication

• Analytic skills

• Presentation skills

• Critical assessment

• Time management

Teaching Information

The unit comprises ten discussion-based seminars based on set readings. Full participation in discussions will contribute to success in the course and preparation is essential. Key readings for the week should be done in advance.

Assessment Information

Nature of assessment % Contribution to overall mark

Seminar presentation 20%

Essay of 3000 words 80%

Links between learning outcomes and methods of assessment

• The seminar presentation will test your knowledge of particular discussions of neoliberalism and will require you to be conversant with key themes, concepts and case studies in relevant research fields.

• The seminar presentation also requires you to be capable at written communication, retaining pertinent information, critical thinking and making effective use of wider literatures to support your arguments.

• The coursework assignment requires you to be capable at written communication, critical thinking, organisational skills and making effective use of wider literatures to support your argument.

Percentage of the unit that is coursework: 100%

Does the group work provide individual feedback for students? YES / NO n/a

Total student learning and assessment hours

Seminars – 20 hours

Seminar presentation - 20 hours

Essay of 3000 words - 40 hours

Reading and Self-Study - 120 hours

Total for unit - 200 hours

Reading and References

• Gibson-Graham, J-K (2006) The End of Capitalism (As We Knew It): A Feminist Critique of Political Economy, New Edition Minneapolis: University of Minnesota Press.

• Harvey, D (2005) A Brief History of Neoliberalism. London: Oxford University Press.

• Heynen, N, McCarthy J, Prudham S and P Robbins (eds) (2007) Neoliberal Environments: False promises and unnatural consequences. London: Routledge

• Leitner, H., Peck, J and E Sheppard (eds) (2007) Contesting Neoliberalism: Urban Frontiers. London: Guilford Press.

• Peck, J (2010) Constructions of Neoliberal Reason. New York: Oxford University Press.

• Sharma, A (2008) Logics of Empowerment: Development, gender and governance in India. Minneapolis: University of Minnesota Press.

There is no core text book for this unit. Instead students will be required to read a selection of journal articles, book chapters and books as specified on the reading list circulated at the start of the course.