Feminism and Geography: The Limits of Geographical Knowledge

by Gillian Rose

Geography is a subject which throughout its history has been dominated by men; men have undertaken the heroic explorations which form the mythology of its foundation, men have written most of its texts and, as many feminist geographers have remarked, men's interests have structured what counts as legitimate geographical knowledge. This book offers a sustained examination of the masculinism of contemporary geographical discourses.
Drawing on the work of feminist theories about the intersection of power, knowledge and subjectivity, different aspects of the discipline's masculinism are discussed in a series of essays which bring influential approaches in recent geography together with feminist accounts of the space of the everyday, the notion of a sense of place and views of landscape. In the final chapter, the spatial imagery of a variety of feminists is examined in order to argue that the geographical imagination implicit in feminist discussions of the politics of location is one example of a geography which does not deny difference in the name of a universal masculinity.

Genres: Feminism, Geography, Nonfiction, Theory, Philosophy, Grad School

216 pages, Hardcover

First published June 1, 1993

About the author

Gillian Rose (20 September 1947 – 9 December 1995) was a British scholar who worked in the fields of philosophy and sociology. Notable facets of this social philosopher's work include criticism of neo-Kantianism and post-modernism, along with what has been described as "a forceful defence of Hegel's speculative thought."

(from Wikipedia)

Reviews

[Aniek Verheul · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book gave me some interesting insights into the field of geography, something I am not at all familiar with. Rose has an analytical approach to the topic and I appreciated the wealth of knowledge she provided - I'm very impressed by the sheer amount of scholars and critics she brought to the discussion. However, I struggled with the writing a bit. It changed from very clinical to more poetic seemingly at random. 3.5 stars, but I'll round up to 4 for the book's general usefulness and the inspiration it gave me!

[Andrew]

A generally solid feminist argument about how the discipline of geography has fallen victim to gender bias, albeit one with some regrettable slippages into the jargon of the high-theory era. She's particularly effective when arguing against the "aesthetic" problem of supposedly humanist geographers who completely ignored the ways their privilege shaped their experiences of spaces and places. However, like so much theory, it's great at diagnosing, and great at provoking, but it doesn't provide much of a platform, other than some shit about "oscillation." But nevertheless, her arguments are forceful -- and this is something people who think about space really ought to read.

[Andrea · Rating 4 out of 5]

molt bona introducció

[Arda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Notes from thesis:
Space itself – and landscape and place likewise – far from being firm foundations for disciplinary expertise and power, are insecure, precarious and fluctuating” (Rose, 1993, p. 160). It is no surprise that in war-torn and conflict-driven areas targeted by dominant and military powers, the sense of instability escalates within individuals who find themselves held captive and overwhelmed by a gloomy forecast

[Khitkhite Buri · Rating 2 out of 5]

Oscillation theory is shit tho

[Chelsea Szendi · Rating 5 out of 5]

In many ways this book was an introduction to many trends in both feminism and geography for me, and it was incredibly readable. Rose's emphasis on oscillating between "strategies" of critique resonated with me, and her interpretation of humanist geography as "aesthetic masculinism" is a concept I'd like to play with in my own work.

Note: This Gillian Rose is not to be confused with the philosopher of the same name (and also a woman of great intellect)!

[Emily · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great overview of not only feminist theory as applied to geography but also to the current state of women within the geographic discipline. Well written, easy to read and comprehend. While I did not agree with many of the points, Rose provides clear examples and a well thought out argument. Definitely recommend to those interested in diving into Feminist theory and geography.

[Candy Wood]

Interesting insights about the masculinist bias of much geographical study, with useful readings of paintings like David's Oath of the Horatii and Gainsborough's Mr and Mrs Andrews. Rose comments on the work of previous feminist geographers and advocates awareness of the assumptions that are too often taken for granted.

[Fiona]

Loved it