Durham University
Programme and Module Handbook

Undergraduate Programme and Module Handbook 2012-2013 (archived)

Module GEOG2511: URBAN GEOGRAPHY

Department: Geography

GEOG2511: URBAN GEOGRAPHY

Type Open Level 2 Credits 20 Availability Available in 2012/13 Module Cap None. Location Durham

Prerequisites

  • None

Corequisites

  • None

Excluded Combination of Modules

  • None

Aims

  • To introduce students to a range of debates in contemporary urban geography and cognate debates in urban studies
  • To enable students to appreciate and understand the changing economic, political, social and cultural character of cities in the 21st Century

Content

  • Urban theories
  • Urbanization in global north and global south
  • Urban economies
  • Poverty and infrastructure
  • Public space and spatial exclusions
  • Urban politics and policy

Learning Outcomes

Subject-specific Knowledge:
  • On successful completion of the module students will be able to:
  • Demonstrate knowledge of a range of current debates in urban geography
  • Understand a variety of approaches to urban geographical enquiry
Subject-specific Skills:
  • On successful completion of the module students will be able to:
  • Critically evaluate available evidence on urban forms and processes
  • Write effectively about these debates, approaches, forms and processes
Key Skills:
  • On successful completion of the module students will be able to:
  • Demonstrate expertise in critical reflection and analysis
  • Communicate effectively in writing critical urban geographical analysis
  • Evaluate sources of evidence from a range of sources (academic, media, and governmental and other institutional debates)
  • Demonstrate an ability to formulate critical and sophisticated arguments from the above-mentioned sources
  • Demonstrate a capacity to improve their own independent learning and performance by gathering necessary information from a range of bibliographic and electronic sources with a view to the critical appraisal of a particular topic
  • Demonstrate a range of skills including the ability to evaluate and synthesise information obtained from a variety of sources
  • Demonstrate a capacity to evaluate the merits of contrasting theoretical and conceptual approaches

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

  • Basic facts on urban geography are introduced and explained in lectures
  • Concepts and approaches are introduced in lectures and discussed and developed in tutorials
  • Factual understanding is tested in exams and coursework
  • Critical evaluation and effective writing are tested in exams and coursework

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Activity Number Frequency Duration Total/Hours
Lectures 8 Term 1 and 2 2 16
Lectures 7 Term 1 and 2 1 7
Seminars 7 Term 1 and 2 1 7
Tutorials 2 Term 1 and 2 1 2
Workshop 1 Term 1 2 2
Preparation and Reading 166
Total 200

Summative Assessment

Component: Exam Component Weighting: 67%
Element Length / duration Element Weighting Resit Opportunity
Unseen exam 2 hours 100%
Component: Essay Component Weighting: 33%
Element Length / duration Element Weighting Resit Opportunity
Essay 5 x A4 sides 100%

Formative Assessment:

Detailed written feedback will be provided on a formative assignment. This feedback will be returned to students in advance of the summative deadline.


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