Critical Reflections on Theory in Rural Geography
In a review paper in 1980, Paul Cloke described rural geography as having a
'Cinderella complex', feeling dowdy and unloved since it had fallen from its
erstwhile central place within the discipline of geography. However, as
perhaps Cloke anticipated, Cinderella did eventually go to the ball and she
lived happily ever after. Is this the story of rural geography over the
past quarter century? More specifically, has the marriage of rural
geography to Prince Theory been a successful one? The aim of this session
is to explore critically and reflectively the place of 'theory' within rural
studies today. How has theoretical insight been deployed within rural
geography? Where has this been successful and where has it been more
problematic? What is the legacy of such pivotal theory-led movements as
postmodernism and the cultural turn to rural geography?
Exploring some of these questions is the theme of this session. Please send
potential paper titles and abstracts of up to 150 words, preferably by
email, to:
Dr Keith Halfacree, Department of Geography, University of Wales Swansea,
Swansea SA2 8PP ([log in to unmask]
<mailto:[log in to unmask]>).
Deadline: 10th November 2003, so be quick please folks!
Keith
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