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Exploring Humans’ Space

An Introduction to Geographicity

Jacques Lévy, Hélène Noizet, Farzaneh Bahrami, Boris Beaude, Barbara Laurent-Lucchetti, Ogier Maitre, and Patrick Poncet

How do we understand the notion of space? How have urbanisation, mobility, digital spaces, and globalization changed the way we perceive it? This course aims to help you feel comfortable with the notion of space. The simplest way to understand it is to connect your daily life, your perceptions and your practices to the concepts of contact and remoteness. In SpaceX, we will explore together the city, urbanisation, urbanity, and urbanism, the individual actor in a globalising World, the emerging digital spatialities, the space-time couple, and the complex relation between societies and bio-physical worlds. Moreover, we will see that cartography is a powerful tool. By the end of the course, we will enable you to not only read but also draw your own maps. Finally, the issues of action on space through spatial agency and spatial justice will be addressed. In each of the nine sessions, a recognised specialist will be filmed in a particular place—a ‘thinking place’—throughout the World, to help us simultaneously inhabit and understand space.

What's inside

Learning objectives

  • A greater understanding of space as perception and daily-life practice.
  • How to read and draw maps to gain a better understanding of space and spatiality.
  • How space is a useful tool to address digital worlds, urbanisation, and globalisation.
  • How geography connects social sciences.
  • An overview of important spatial agency and spatial justice topics and issues.

Good to know

Know what's good
, what to watch for
, and possible dealbreakers
Teaches the concept of space as it relates to daily life, offering a practical perspective that is applicable to everyday living
Provides tools and techniques for mapping, enabling learners to gain a deeper understanding of space and spatial relationships
Examines the influence of urbanisation, mobility, and digital environments on our perception of space, addressing important contemporary issues
Facilitates a deeper understanding of the globalising world and its impact on individual experiences, social structures, and spatial processes
Introduces the concept of cartography as a valuable tool for understanding space, providing learners with the knowledge and skills to analyse and create maps
Explores spatial agency and justice, empowering learners to actively engage with their environments and advocate for more equitable and sustainable spatial practices

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Reviews summary

Geography and philosophy course

According to students, Exploring Humans’ Space: An Introduction to Geographicity may be suitable for students who like philosophy. Students say that the course material can be hard to understand at times and may not be suitable for every student.
Mix of geography and philosophy.
"It feels like more philosophy than geography, but maybe I'm missing the point."
May be too difficult for some.
"It feels like more philosophy than geography, but maybe I'm missing the point."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Exploring Humans’ Space: An Introduction to Geographicity with these activities:
Review basic concepts of space and geography
Remind yourself of the fundamental principles of space and geography to strengthen your foundation for this course.
Browse courses on Space
Show steps
  • Read through introductory materials or articles on space and geography
  • Review notes or textbooks from previous courses in space or geography
  • Take a practice quiz or test to assess your current understanding
Organize and review course materials
Strengthen your understanding of the course content by organizing and reviewing your materials.
Show steps
  • Compile lecture notes, assignments, and other materials from the course
  • Review and summarize the key concepts and ideas presented in the materials
  • Identify any areas where you need additional clarification or reinforcement
Engage in discussion forums
Share your perspectives and engage with other students to deepen your understanding of space.
Show steps
  • Participate actively in class or online discussions
  • Share your own insights and experiences related to the course material
  • Respond to and engage with the contributions of your classmates
Five other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all eight activities
Analyze maps and spatial data
Develop your skills in interpreting maps and spatial data to enhance your understanding of space.
Show steps
  • Find online or offline resources with interactive maps or spatial data sets
  • Practice identifying different types of maps and their purposes
  • Extract and analyze data from maps or spatial data sets
  • Apply your analysis to real-world scenarios or case studies
Explore online tutorials on spatial analysis
Enhance your technical skills in spatial analysis through online tutorials.
Browse courses on Spatial Analysis
Show steps
  • Search for online tutorials or workshops on spatial analysis or GIS
  • Follow along with the tutorials, completing exercises and assignments
  • Apply your newfound skills to your own projects or assignments
Read 'Making Space for Difference' by Doreen Massey
Gain a deeper understanding of the social and cultural dimensions of space through this insightful book by Doreen Massey.
Show steps
  • Read each chapter thoroughly, taking notes on key concepts
  • Summarize the main arguments and perspectives presented in the book
  • Critically analyze the book's arguments and their relevance to your own experiences of space
Conduct a spatial analysis project
Apply your knowledge of space and spatial analysis to a real-world problem.
Show steps
  • Identify a problem or issue that you would like to explore using spatial analysis
  • Gather and analyze relevant data to support your project
  • Design and conduct a spatial analysis using appropriate methods and tools
  • Interpret your results and draw conclusions
  • Present your findings in a report or presentation
Design a map or infographic
Demonstrate your understanding of cartography and spatial representation by creating your own map or infographic.
Browse courses on Map Design
Show steps
  • Choose a topic or theme for your map or infographic
  • Gather and organize relevant data to support your topic
  • Design and create your map or infographic using appropriate software or tools
  • Present your map or infographic to the class or share it online

Career center

Learners who complete Exploring Humans’ Space: An Introduction to Geographicity will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:
Geographer
Geographers study the Earth's surface and its human and physical features. This course would provide a strong foundation for a career in geography.
Urban Planner
Urban planners design and plan cities and towns. This course would be helpful in understanding how space and geography affect urban planning decisions.
Surveyor
Surveyors measure and map land and property. This course would be useful in understanding how space and geography are measured and represented.
Demographer
Demographers study human populations and their dynamics. This course would help in the study of how space and geography affect population patterns and trends.
Landscape Architect
Landscape architects design and plan outdoor spaces. This course would be useful in understanding how space and geography affect the design of landscapes.
Planner
Planners develop plans for the use of land and resources. This course would be helpful in understanding how space and geography affect planning decisions.
Environmental Scientist
Environmental scientists study the environment and its interactions with humans. This course would be helpful in understanding how space and geography affect environmental issues.
Public Policy Analyst
Public policy analysts study and evaluate public policies. This course would be helpful in understanding how space and geography affect public policy decisions.
Real Estate Agent
Real estate agents help people buy and sell property. This course would be useful in understanding how space and geography affect real estate markets.
Political Scientist
Political scientists study politics and government. This course would be useful in understanding how space and geography affect political processes.
Economist
Economists study the production, distribution, and consumption of goods and services. This course would be useful in understanding how space and geography affect economic activity and development.
Sociologist
Sociologists study human societies and their interactions. This course would be useful in understanding how space and geography affect social processes.
Historian
Historians study the past and how it has shaped the present. This course would be useful in understanding how space and geography have influenced historical events.
Journalist
Journalists write and report on current events. This course would be helpful in understanding how space and geography shape news stories.
Teacher
Teachers educate students in a variety of subjects. This course would be useful in teaching about space and geography.

Reading list

We've selected 14 books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Exploring Humans’ Space: An Introduction to Geographicity.
Classic work on the concept of space, and it provides a theoretical framework for understanding how space is produced and used. It is essential reading for anyone interested in the sociology of space, particularly urban space, and it will be very useful for this course.
Classic work on the social construction of reality, and it provides a theoretical framework for understanding how space is socially constructed. It is essential reading for anyone interested in the sociology of space, and it will be very useful for this course.
Study of the everyday lives of modern adults, and it provides insights into the ways that space is used and experienced in everyday life. It valuable resource for anyone interested in the sociology of space, and it will be useful for this course.
Classic work on the image of the city, and it provides insights into the ways that people perceive and experience space. It valuable resource for anyone interested in the sociology of space, and it is often assigned as a textbook in geography and urban planning courses.
Collection of essays on the city, and it provides insights into the ways that space is used and experienced in urban environments. It valuable resource for anyone interested in the sociology of space, and it will be useful for this course.
Concise introduction to the field of geography, and it provides a good overview of the different ways that space is studied. It useful resource for anyone who is new to the study of space, and it can be helpful for students taking this course.
Comprehensive handbook on spatial analysis, and it provides a detailed overview of the different methods and techniques that are used to study space. It is an invaluable resource for anyone who is interested in doing research on space, and it will be useful for students taking this course.
Comprehensive handbook on urban studies, and it provides a detailed overview of the different ways that cities are studied. It is an invaluable resource for anyone who is interested in doing research on cities, and it will be useful for students taking this course.
Collection of maps and data on the world's countries, and it provides a valuable resource for anyone who is interested in learning more about the geography of the world. It useful reference tool for students taking this course.
Collection of maps and data on the world's history, and it provides a valuable resource for anyone who is interested in learning more about the history of the world. It useful reference tool for students taking this course.
Collection of maps and data on the world's environmental issues, and it provides a valuable resource for anyone who is interested in learning more about the environment. It useful reference tool for students taking this course.
Collection of maps and data on the world's food production, and it provides a valuable resource for anyone who is interested in learning more about the world's food supply. It useful reference tool for students taking this course.
Collection of maps and data on the world's water resources, and it provides a valuable resource for anyone who is interested in learning more about the world's water supply. It useful reference tool for students taking this course.
Collection of maps and data on the world's energy production, and it provides a valuable resource for anyone who is interested in learning more about the world's energy supply. It useful reference tool for students taking this course.

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