Module GEOG3501: URBAN TRANSFORMATIONS IN THE NEW EUROPE

Department: GEOGRAPHY

GEOG3501: URBAN TRANSFORMATIONS IN THE NEW EUROPE

Prerequisites

Corequisites

• NONE

Excluded Combination of Modules

• ENVIRONMENTAL PROCESSES AND CHANGE: FIELD CASE-STUDIES

Aims

• To undertake critical analysis of the ways in which economic, cultural, social and environmental transformations in the New Europe are shaping, and being shaped by, urban places.
• To apply key concepts in urban geography through field-based research in a leading European metropolis in order to develop a specialist understanding of these processes.

Content

• The lectures and seminars will address the following themes:
• Urban Europe: the 'urban' in European history and policy; European cities; the emergence of the 'New Europe'
• Economic regeneration and renaissance
• Political transitions and governing cities
• Urban cultures, identities and representation
• Urban environments, sustainability and justice
• The field course will consist of a week in Berlin and will involve:
• 2 days introduction to Berlin, covering themes developed in lectures
• 4 days student-led project work on one of the themes

Learning Outcomes

• To critically assess urban transformations in the New Europe
• To demonstrate and deploy a range of fieldwork skills

• To analyse and understand the role of a range of actors and institutions in these processes
• To demonstrate and deploy a range of fieldwork skills

• To demonstrate the ability to communicate the results of their own research by means of a written project

Modes of Teaching, Learning and Assessment and how these contribute to the learning outcomes of the module

• Lectures will impart part basic facts and information and will help students understand key theoretical approaches and get to grips with the recommended reading. There will be 15 minutes time for discussion in the lectures.
• Reading lists, handouts, and abbreviated versions of powerpoint lectures will be posted on DUO to assist student learning.
• Concepts introduced in lectures will be explored in more depth in seminars and field-based project work. Seminars will be used to develop independent research design skills to be applied in a field-based project.
• The residential fieldtrip will reinforce students??? understanding of theoretical approaches and show how they can be applied. It will also provide training and experience in project design, research and analysis, while developing students??? individual and group working skills.
• Students will be required to submit a report on one project (their choice) for summative assessment.
• Students will receive formative feedback on presentations in seminars to be held before the fieldtrip. Their ability to interpret and apply theoretical concepts to empirical examples and their ability to explain things clearly and support their argument with appropriate reference to the general literature will be tested through an examination and the field-based project report. The report also assesses skills of research design, implementation and analysis.

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Summative Assessment

Formative Assessment:

Presentation linked to field-based report delivered in seminar. Verbal feedback will be porvided on this

■ Attendance at all activities marked with this symbol will be monitored. Students who fail to attend these activities, or to complete the summative or formative assessment specified above, will be subject to the procedures defined in the University's General Regulation V, and may be required to leave the University