FSS:MVZb2074 Regional Identity - Course Information

MVZb2074 Regional Identity in Theory and Practice

Extent and Intensity

0/2/0. 3 credit(s). Type of Completion: zk (examination).
Taught in person.

Teacher(s)

RNDr. Petr Marek, Ph.D. (lecturer), prof. PhDr. Zdeněk Kříž, Ph.D. (deputy)

Guaranteed by

prof. PhDr. Zdeněk Kříž, Ph.D.
Department of International Relations and European Studies – Faculty of Social Studies
Contact Person: Olga Cídlová, DiS.
Supplier department: Department of International Relations and European Studies – Faculty of Social Studies

Prerequisites

Ability to read and understand study materials in Czech and English.

Course Enrolment Limitations

The course is also offered to the students of the fields other than those the course is directly associated with.

fields of study / plans the course is directly associated with

there are 6 fields of study the course is directly associated with, display

Course objectives

The subject aims to present selected key geographical concepts that are extensively applied in other scientific disciplines, and are thus also relevant for students of IR and European studies. Special emphasis is placed on the concept of regional identity (primarily as discussed by the Finnish geographer Anssi Paasi) and topics/concepts closely related to it: region, borders, symbols, representation of space, mental maps, regionalism and nationalism. Thus, the course primarily introduces the so-called new regional geography and its overlap with cultural, political and historical geography, thereby contributing to a better understanding of the contemporary world.

Learning outcomes

After completing the course, students will be able to explain the main dimensions of regional identity (cognitive, affective, instrumental), demonstrate them with concrete examples from practice, describe the development of the understanding of the concept of "region" and determine its components (borders, symbols, institutions).

Syllabus

• 1. Introduction to the subject, geography and geographical thought.
• 2. Selected key geographical concepts with an emphasis on regional identity and its component: region.
• 3. Traditional regional geography and regional/spatial science and their view of the region.
• 4. New regional geography and its view of the region.
• 5. Borders of the region.
• 6. Cross-border cooperation.
• 7. Symbols of the region.
• 8. Representation of space and mental maps.
• 9. Regional identity of people - identification with the region.
• 10. Resistance and resistance identity.
• 11. Regionalism.
• 12. Nationalism.
• 13. Final summary and discussion.

Literature

required literature
• PAASI, A., HARRISON, J., JONES, M. (2018): New consolidated regional geographies. In: Paasi, A., Harrison, J., Jones, M. (eds.): Handbook on the geographies of regions and territories. Edward Elgar, Cheltenham, 1–20.
• WIĘCKOWSKI, M., TIMOTHY, D. J. (2021): Tourism and an evolving international boundary: Bordering, debordering and rebordering on Usedom Island, Poland-Germany. Journal of Destination Marketing & Management, 22, 1–11.
• ŠIFTA, M., CHROMÝ, P. (2017): The importance of symbols in the region formation process. Norsk Geografisk Tidsskrift – Norwegian Journal of Geography, 71, 2, 98–113.
• ANTONSICH, M. (2010): Exploring the correspondence between regional forms of governance and regional identity: The case of western Europe. European Urban and Regional Studies, 17, 3, 261–276.

recommended literature
• Introducing human geographies. Edited by Paul J. Cloke - Phil Crang - Mark Goodwin. Third edition. London: Routledge, Taylor & Francis Group, 2014, xxviii, 10. ISBN 9781444135350. info
• Handbook on the geographies of regions and territories. Edited by Anssi Paasi - John Harrison - Martin Jones. Cheltenham: Edward Elgar Publishing, 2018, xiii, 530. ISBN 9781785365805. info
• KEATING, Michael. The new regionalism in western Europe : territorial restructuring and political change. Cheltenham: Edward Elgar, 1998, xi, 242. ISBN 1858985277. info
• DANĚK, Petr. Geografické myšlení: úvod do teoretických přístupů (Geographic Thought: Introduction to Theoretical Approaches). 1st ed. Brno: Masarykova univerzita, 2013, 172 pp. ISBN 978-80-210-6694-6. Available from: https://dx.doi.org/10.5817/CZ.MUNI.M210-6694-2013. Čítárna Munispace info
• CHROMÝ, P. (2009): Region a regionalismus. Geografické rozhledy, 19, 1, 2–5.
• KUČERA, Z. (2011): Rozmanité cesty regionální geografie. Geografické rozhledy, 20, 5, 14–18.

Teaching methods

Teaching takes place in the form of lectures and seminars. During the lectures, students are introduced to theoretical concepts and their application in practice. Within the seminars, individual concepts and empirical examples are discussed in more detail, while for some seminars students are given small tasks in advance.
In total, it will be necessary to read four texts (see required literature) and, based on them, answer several "control" questions before the next seminar, and formulate supplementary questions.
In addition to reading the texts, everyone prepares five very short presentations on one selected region of their choice (the choice of the region will be approved by the teacher).
The individual tasks, including the schedule, are outlined in more detail in the interactive outline.

Assessment methods

The course ends with a written exam verifying knowledge and understanding of key geographic concepts and their application in practice. The exam contains both closed and open questions that are scored. For its successful completion, achieving more than half the number of points is necessary.
A = 91-100%
B = 81-90%
C = 71-80%
D = 61-70%
E = 51-60%
The condition for admission to the exam is active participation in the seminars, including completing all pre-assigned tasks, and that of the appropriate quality. Two excused absences are acceptable.

Language of instruction

Czech

Further Comments

The course is taught annually.
The course is taught: every week.

• Enrolment Statistics (Autumn 2024, recent)
  
• Permalink: https://is.muni.cz/course/fss/autumn2024/MVZb2074