University of St Andrews

Key information

SCOTCAT credits : 30

ECTS credits : 15

Level : SCQF level 10

Semester: 2

Availability restrictions: The school will operate a ballot system.

Planned timetable: Tues 10am-1pm

This module explores how health and other social inequalities develop and are reproduced across our lives. In doing so, we draw on influential theoretical approaches in social sciences, most notably, the life course approach. We explore how human development is a lifelong process situated within multi-scalar geographical, historical and cultural contexts. The course covers a wide range of human geography topics: population processes such as family building, migration, ageing; the study of various life course stages and transitions between them (childhood, adolescence, adulthood and older age), and the production of health inequalities. We also discuss racial and ethnic inequalities. The module is taught through lectures, seminars and practical classes, and assessment is 100% coursework. You will gain an understanding of how to read quantitative research (statistical literacy) , and also gain first-hand experience at conducting and analysing qualitative biographical interviews.

Relationship to other modules

Pre-requisite(s): Before taking this module you must pass GG2011 and pass GG2012 or pass SD2001 and pass SD2002 or pass GG2013 and pass GG2014 and pass SD2100 or pass SD2005 and pass SD2006 and pass SD2100

Anti-requisite(s): You cannot take this module if you pass GG3242 or take GG3242

Learning and teaching methods and delivery

Weekly contact: 1hr lecture (x10 weeks), 1hr seminar, (x10 weeks), 1hr practical methods class (x10 weeks)

Scheduled learning hours: 37

Guided independent study hours: 255

Assessment pattern

As used by St Andrews: 100% coursework


Re-assessment: 100% coursework

Personnel

Module coordinator: Dr K L Keenan
Module teaching staff: Dr Katherine Keenan
Module coordinator email Katherine.Keenan@st-andrews.ac.uk

Intended learning outcomes

• Compare/contrast theories of the social inequalities and relate these to concrete examples in human geography.
• Understand and interpret core quantitative and qualitative methods used in studies of inequalities and life course studies
• Analyse how life course processes affect individual outcomes and inequality over time using both quantitative and qualitative methodologies.
• Critically read and summarise different kinds of human geography, demographic and sociological literature: social theory, qualitative and quantitative empirical papers
• Communicate through oral presentation theoretical and empirical material
• Collect and analyse biographical material through qualitative interviews