Studies
in geography and social theory are designed
to alert students to the overlaps between geography
and other knowledge systems in the physical
and social sciences as well as in the humanities.
Students are encouraged to explore the intersections
between geographical work and feminist theory,
cultural studies, postcolonial theory, political
economy, political ecology and critical theory.
Geographical approaches to fundamental concepts
such as place, region, space, environment and
nature are highlighted. Critical geography seeks
actively to re-shape geographical concepts and
geographical work in relation to general political,
social and environmental concerns. Issues of
gender, class race and sexuality, particularly
though not only in relation to geographically
achieved identities (place, neighborhood, community,
region, nation) are foci of concern. Critical
and constructive reflection is encouraged on
geographical modes of representation such as
cartography and GIS as well as upon technical
and political issues such as the scale problem
within geographical research. Applied work attempts
to build on a general understanding of variegated
processes of uneven geographical development
at all scales – micro, local, urban, regional
and global – as a way to understand topics
such as global/local relations, locational conflicts,
environmental justice, production and reproduction,
regionalism and nationalism, imperialism and
neo-colonialism, resource utilization, as well
as ecological and environmental issues at a
variety of scales. While regional specialization
is encouraged it is not required.
