Cultural Geography (Research)

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Cultural Geography is one of the most dynamic and significant sub-disciplines in contemporary geography, with significant influence on wider developments in the social sciences and humanities. Cultural Geographys key focus on the interconnections between place, landscape, environment and identity has profound relevance for the world of today. The MA in Cultural Geography (Research) at Royal Holloway is a world-leading course in the field, drawing particularly upon the research of the Departments outstanding Social and Cultural Geography Group.

This course includes cutting-edge conceptual teaching in themes such as theories of place and space, postcolonial geographies, landscape, critical geopolitics, geographies of consumption, and the geographies of embodiment, practice and performance. This is combined with thorough research training, for which the course is formally recognised by the British research councils.

The course is designed to prepare you for PhD research in human geography and allied fields, and is also a valuable qualification in its own right. A majority of the students completing the course have proceeded to PhD research, many with research council studentships, at Royal Holloway and elsewhere. Many of these are now in lectureships and research fellowships, while other graduates of the course have established careers in public research and the creative industries

The programme consists of four elements, all assessed by coursework.
Element 1: Contemporary Cultural Geographies- This is a programme of seminars on current ideas, theory and practice in Cultural and Human Geography. It includes the following themes: theories of place; colonial and postcolonial geographies; biographies of material culture; embodiment, practice and place; geographies of consumption; culture, nature and landscape; space, politics and democracy; cultures of politics.
Element 2: Methods and Techniques in Cultural Geography- This consists of a programme of workshops devoted to research methodologies and techniques in Cultural Geography. It includes research strategies and project design; reflexivity and ethics; ethnographic research; social survey; qualitative data analysis and computing; visual methodologies; interpreting texts; interpreting things; interpreting movement; negotiating the archives; the arts of cultural geography.
Element 3: Research Training- You will be introduced to the culture of research in Human Geography and provided with a broad training for independent research within contemporary cultural geography. This element supplements the more specialised research training in research techniques in Element 2, and culminates in a 5,000 word research proposal for the Dissertation.
Element 4: Dissertation- You will produce a substantial (15-18,000 word) research dissertation, under supervision.

On completion of the course graduates will have:

* advanced knowledge and expertise in the field of Cultural Geography and its current research questions
* advanced knowledge in the ideas, approaches and substantive themes of contemporary Cultural Geographies
* advanced knowledge of the research methods and techniques of Cultural Geography
* knowledge of the culture of research.

Equivalent of at least a British Second Class Honours Degree. English Language Requirements CAE score: (read more) Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE) is part of the Cambridge English suite and is targeted at a high level (IETLS 6.5-8.0). It is an international English language exam set at the right level for academic and professional success. Developed by Cambridge English Language Assessment - part of the University of Cambridge - it helps you stand out from the crowd as a high achiever. 75 (Grade B)