GV3RIP-Geographies of Death
Module Provider: Geography and Environmental Science
Number of credits: 20 [10 ECTS credits]
Level:6
Terms in which taught: Spring term module
Pre-requisites:
Non-modular pre-requisites:
Co-requisites:
Modules excluded:
Module version for: 2017/8
Module Convenor: Dr Avril Maddrell
Email: avril.maddrell@reading.ac.uk
Summary module description:
This module explores the geographies of death through consideration of a brief introduction to global and UK demographics; the spatial practices and experiences associated with loss and consolation and how these relate to ideas of therapeutic landscapes and environments; exploration and analysis of varied historic and contemporary sites and expressions of death, loss and remembrance in particular places and landscapes, with implications for environmental conservation and Planning in a multicultural society; and deathscapes as sites of ‘Dark Tourism’.
Aims:
This module aims to use geographical concepts, theories and methods to i) explore and understand the geographies associated with dying, death and remembrance; ii) understand the impact of death and remembrance practices on the landscape (rural and urban), including how these change over time, may be contested and require management; and iii) consider the ‘afterlife’ of sites of death and remembrance in terms of symbolic, cultural and economic significance.
Assessable learning outcomes:
By the end of this module, students will have:
1. An understanding of concepts including mortality, deathscapes and therapeutic environments.
2. An ability to apply these concepts to historical and contemporary case studies.
3. An understanding of the contestation of sites of death and remembrance and a range of strategies that are deployed to address these issues.
4. An appreciation of the Planning issues associated with deathscapes in an inclusive multicultural society such as the UK.
5. An understanding of the challenges and opportunities of historic deathscapes.
Additional outcomes:
Students will be given opportunities to apply conceptual material in a self-directed field class to a local deathscape in Reading.
Outline content:
The module will be explored through four main themes:
1. A brief introduction to global and UK demographics;
2. The spatial practices and experiences associated with loss and consolation and how these relate to ideas of therapeutic landscapes and environments;
3. Exploration and analysis of varied historic and contemporary sites and expressions of death, loss and remembrance in particular places and landscapes, with implications for environmental conservation and Planning in a multicultural society
4. Deathscapes as sites of ‘Dark Tourism’.
Global context:
The module will focus on the UK and Western Europe with additional case studies drawn from across the world.
Brief description of teaching and learning methods:
Lectures, seminars, discussions, visiting speakers, self-directed field trip.
Summative Assessment Methods:
| Method |
Percentage |
| Written exam |
50 |
| Written assignment including essay |
50 |
Other information on summative assessment:
Penalties for late submission:
The Module Convenor will apply the following penalties for work submitted late, in accordance with the University policy.
where the piece of work is submitted up to one calendar week after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): 10% of the total marks available for the piece of work will be deducted from the mark for each working day (or part thereof) following the deadline up to a total of five working days;
where the piece of work is submitted more than five working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): a mark of zero will be recorded.
The University policy statement on penalties for late submission can be found at:
http://www.reading.ac.uk/web/FILES/qualitysupport/penaltiesforlatesubmission.pdf
You are strongly advised to ensure that coursework is submitted by the relevant deadline. You should note that it is advisable to submit work in an unfinished state rather than to fail to submit any work.
Length of examination:
Two hours
Requirements for a pass:
A mark of 40% overall
Reassessment arrangements:
Resubmission of coursework and/or re-examination
Additional Costs (specified where applicable):
Last updated: 31 March 2017