When I was at the University of Greenwich, my course tutor, Bridget Leach, advised me to read the Guardian Weekly because for a degree in cultural geography it offered detailed commentary on the world. I decided to order it from my local newsagent and each week looked forward to collecting it. Even when I lived in Paris, while researching my PhD, I managed to find copies of the Guardian Weekly at a newspaper stand close to where I was living.
Years later, I teach undergraduates human geography and the Guardian Weekly is listed in my course handbooks as recommended reading. At the beginning of the academic year I distribute back copies to my new students and get them to select and talk about columns that reflect the concerns of human geography. Like my tutor Bridget, I encourage my students to read the Guardian Weekly to keep abreast of international affairs and to think critically. Often I will find an article that covers a topic I am teaching in class. Frequently, in seminars, the Comment pages on a topic lead to debate and discussion.
My favourite section? I really like the World roundup pages that give a glimpse of world events in one week and encourage the reader to read more. Visually, I appreciate the Eyewitnessed pages and am always challenged by the critical thinking of the Comment & Debate pages.
Thank you, Guardian Weekly!
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