MVZb2074 Regional Identity in Theory and Practice

Faculty of Social Studies
Autumn 2024
Extent and Intensity
0/2/0. 3 credit(s). Type of Completion: zk (examination).
In-person direct teaching
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
Timetable
Wed 16:00–17:40 P24a
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
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, representation of space, mental maps, borders, symbols, 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. Everything is vividly demonstrated in concrete cases from practice, especially using the region of Moravia.
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. Representation of space and mental maps.
  • 6. Borders of the region that divide.
  • 7. Borders of the region that connect.
  • 8. Symbols of the region.
  • 9. Identification with the region.
  • 10. Resistance and resistance identity.
  • 11. Regionalism.
  • 12. Nationalism.
  • 13. Final summary and discussion.
Literature
    required literature
  • DOBOŠ, Pavel. Imaginativní geografie subsaharské Afriky v českém prostředí: nástin problematiky (Imaginative geographies of Sub-Saharan Africa in the Czech environment: outline of topic). Geografie - Sborník České geografické společnosti. Praha: Česká geografická společnost, 2017, vol. 122, No 1, p. 100-119. ISSN 1212-0014. URL info
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
Teaching methods
During the seminars, students are introduced to theoretical concepts and their application in practice (in empirical cases). For some seminars, students are given small tasks in advance: In total, it will be necessary to read three 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 four very short presentations of several slides 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 described in more detail in the extended syllabus in the study materials.
Assessment methods
The final grade will consist of the assessment for the submitted exercises (reading and presentation – a total of 25 points) and the assessment for the written exam verifying knowledge and understanding of key geographical concepts and their application in practice (75 points):
A = 91-100 points
B = 81-90 points
C = 71-80 points
D = 61-70 points
E = 51-60 points
In order for a student to take the exam, all exercises (reading and presentation) must be submitted and approved.
Active participation is expected at the seminars. Two excused absences are acceptable.
The evaluation methods are presented in more detail in the extended syllabus in the study materials.
Language of instruction
Czech
Further Comments
Study Materials
The course is taught annually.
The course is also listed under the following terms Autumn 2023.
  • Enrolment Statistics (recent)
  • Permalink: https://is.muni.cz/course/fss/autumn2024/MVZb2074