Philosophy of Geography

How does philosophy matter in the doing of geography? This course offers an introduction to current issues and debates in human geography as they relate to philosophy. Through engagements with pre-assigned texts, keynote lectures, and seminar discussions, the course provides different perspectives on the philosophy of geography with a view to advancing engagement with epistemological, ontological, and methodological questions in scholarship across the humanities and social sciences in general, and in geography in particular. The course invites participants to consider how philosophy matters in their own research, writing and teaching practices.

Objectives: Upon completion of the course, participants will be able to identify some of the key questions and current debates in the field and reflect on how these might be engaged and addressed in their own research and teaching.

Attendance dates

Reading group 1
(on-site, Linnanmaa)

Tue 30.9. 10:15-11:45
Thu 2.10. 10:15-11:45

Reading group 2
(online)

Tue 30.9. 14:15-15:45
Thu 2.10. 14:15-15:45

2-day seminar
(on-site, Linnanmaa)

Mon 6.10. 8:30-16:00 (+ 18:30 dinner*)
Tue 7.10. 8:45-16:00

* Please note this is an optional, pay-for-your-own-meal event.

The 2-day seminar (6.-7.10.) will include four keynote lectures:

Day 1

1. Epistemic Practices: Knowing Geography, Doing Geography, Being a Geographer
   (Dr Pauline Couper, York St John University, UK)
2. Geography and Radical Philosophies. Anarchism, Internationalism and Decoloniality
   (Prof Federico Ferretti, University of Bologna, Italy)

Day 2

1. Researching AI in (Economic) Geography: Views of AI and Philosophies in Geography
   (Associate Professor of Regional Development and Innovation Policy, Johanna Hautala, University of Vaasa, Finland)
2. Concept, Sense, World: Encountering Critical Geography's Philosophical Fissures
   (Academy Research Fellow Derek Ruez, Tampere University, Finland)