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Prof Claire Mercer and Dr Megan Ryburn LACC

This course is compulsory on the MPhil/PhD in Human Geography and Urban Studies. This course is available with permission as an outside option to students on other programmes where regulations permit.

The word “geography” derives from a Greek term whose literal translation is “earth description” or “writing the world.” At a basic level, it refers to the art of producing written accounts of people and their environments based on first-hand knowledge. The institutionalization of geography in the nineteenth century paralleled the professionalization of academic disciplines in the service of empire and capital. This course provides a space for reengaging with the practice of “writing the world” as a shared intellectual pursuit.

GY503 has two main objectives, both of which are designed to support the intellectual and career development of doctoral students in human geography, planning, urban studies, and related disciplines. The first objective is to provide advanced training in research-based writing. The second objective is to foster critical engagement with classic and current texts of a geographical nature. Both objectives are to be achieved collectively by bringing together doctoral students and academic staff to meet regularly throughout the year.

In the Department of Geography and Environment, teaching will be delivered through a combination of classes/seminars, pre-recorded lectures, live online lectures, in-person lectures and other supplementary interactive live activities.

This course is delivered through a series of workshops across Michaelmas, Lent and Summer Terms.

This course includes a reading week in Week 6 of Michaelmas Term and Week 6 of Lent Term.

The core participants in GY503 are doctoral students at all stages. Academic staff and postdoctoral fellows from the Urbanisation, Planning and Development cluster of the Department of Geography & Environment are also strongly encouraged to participate.

Students will be expected to produce 1 essay.

Doctoral students participating in this course will have the opportunity to workshop a draft of their written work (approximately 10,000 words) once during the year. Example of suitable submissions include working drafts of thesis chapters, journal articles, and research proposals. Participants are expected to attend all meetings and to have read the specified materials beforehand.

Some departments have produced short videos to introduce their courses. Please refer to the course selection videos index page for further information.