Unit information: Theorizing Society and Space in 2020/21

Unit name	Theorizing Society and Space
Unit code	GEOGM0001
Credit points	20
Level of study	M/7
Teaching block(s)	Teaching Block 1 (weeks 1 - 12)
Unit director	Dr. Joe Gerlach
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

This course engages with a range of philosophers and social theorists in the tradition of continental philosophy. In so doing, the course examines the ways in which social theory engages with notions of space, subjectivity, and society. The course focuses upon the ideas of authors such as Spinoza, Badiou, Bergson, Deleuze and Guattari, Lazzarato, Sauvagnargues, Nancy, Whitehead, and Ranciere.

The unit aims to provide a philosophical grounding for understanding key theoretical issues in examining space and politics in geography and the social sciences.

Intended Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of the unit, students should:

1. be familiar with the work of key authors,
2. be able to critically, and confidently, compare their respective ideas and arguments, and
3. be able to link underlying philosophies and theories to different ways of understanding the interrelationships between politics and space.

Teaching Information

The unit will be taught through a blended combination of online and, if possible, in-person teaching, including

• online resources
• synchronous group workshops, seminars, tutorials and/or office hours
• asynchronous individual activities and guided reading for students to work through at their own pace

Assessment Information

4500 word essay (100%)

Reading and References

Bonta, M. and Protevei, J. (2004) Deleuze and Geophilosophy. Edinburgh

Critchley, S. (2001) Continental Philosophy: A Very Short Introduction. Oxford University Press.

Deleuze, G., Guattari, F. (2004) A Thousand Plateaus. London: Continuum.

Due, R. (2007) Deleuze. Polity.