You complete two 15-credit modules if you choose this subject. In their first semester you do Introduction to Human Geography and in the second semester The Human Geography of London.
Both modules are intended to enable you to show knowledge and understanding of a range of significant themes in human geography and some of the discipline’s major perspectives. You will be able to identify, summarise and evaluate key debates in human geography and show familiarity with some of the important theories in the discipline. Studying geography on the IFP also enables you to develop a range of transferable skills including presentation skills, global and intercultural awareness and interpersonal skills.
Geography is the ideal subject for you if you enjoy learning about people and their societies, economies, cultures and the environment. It develops a wide range of skills which are highly valued by employers, especially in the world of international business, finance and law. Studying geography in one of the world's greatest cities is particularly rewarding as is the fact that IFP students are able to bring a diverse range of perspectives and insights from their home countries. Human Geography is, in the view of one of the lecturers, Dr Fenton “greedy to absorb concepts” so there is significant crossover to and from other subjects in the social sciences, including business and law.
Introduction to Human Geography explores important themes in the subject such as migration, media and communications and citizenship. It also looks at the concept of local-global in terms of food security and the environment. Other topics include the fashion industry, development and aid, and nation and identity in the twenty-first century. The Human Geography of London looks at London’s global connections through its imperial and post-imperial past and multicultural present. The economic flows or regeneration and gentrification are examined as are a successful living wage campaign and London’s representation as the surveillance capital of the world. Case studies include an examination of the Thames Gateway regeneration project which includes a focus on the former London Olympic site in Stratford.
You are taught through lectures, field studies, documentary screenings, seminar activities and debates. Seminars are always lively and contain a number of hands-on activities.
You are assessed through a combination of coursework, tests and a final exam. Coursework includes essays and oral and written portfolios.
This subject is co-taught by Dr Jill Fenton and Dr Olly Zanetti.
Dr Jill Fenton completed her PhD in cultural geography in 2005 at Royal Holloway, University of London. As well as teaching human geography for the Queen Mary International Foundation Programme, she teaches and tutors in human geography at Queen Mary's School of Geography both at undergraduate and masters levels. She also teaches about the British cultural landscape (past and present) to international students at the University of the Arts London. Jill enjoys teaching geography to international students as they have so much to contribute to this subject from their own experiences.
Geography is open to all IFP students and there is no need to have studied geography before. Enthusiasm is a key requirement for prospective students who are expected to participate in seminar discussions. The School of Geography at Queen Mary University of London is world-leading and students who apply to the School are guaranteed a conditional offer. The Royal Geographical Society provides more information on the advantages of studying geography and, if you have never studied geography, you can find out more about what it involves here.
Core books for this subject: Geographies of Globalisation: A Demanding World, edited by Clive Barnett, Jennifer Robinson and Gillian Rose (2nd edition, 2008); Andrew Jones' Human Geography: The Basics (2012); Introducing Human Geographies, edited by Paul Cloke, Philip Crang and Mark Goodwin (2005)
