Module GEOG2511: URBAN GEOGRAPHY

Department: Geography

GEOG2511: URBAN GEOGRAPHY

Prerequisites

• None

Corequisites

• None

Excluded Combination of Modules

• None

Aims

• To introduce students to a range of debates in 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

• The module will address key themes in urban geography, for example:
• Theories and concepts of urbanization and urbanism
• Urbanization in the global north and global south
• Urban economies
• The city and mental life
• Poverty and infrastructure
• Public space and spatial exclusions
• Urban diversity
• Urban politics and policy

Learning Outcomes

• On successful completion of the module students will be able to:
• Demonstrate knowledge of a range of debates in urban geography
• Understand the range of perspectives and approaches to urban geographical enquiry

• On successful completion of the module students will be able to:
• Critically evaluate available evidence on urban forms and processes
• Discuss and write effectively about these debates, approaches, forms and processes

• On successful completion of the module students will be able to:
• Demonstrate expertise in critical reflection and analysis
• Communicate effectively when writing critical urban geographical analysis
• Evaluate evidence from a range of sources (academic, media, social media, governmental and other institutional sources)
• 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 alternative academic approaches are introduced in lectures and discussed and developed in tutorials
• Online active learning tasks (e.g. discussion boards, comprehension and reflection exercises, or quizzes) will assist students to reflect on their understandings developed through lectures
• Factual understanding is tested in exams and coursework
• Critical evaluation and effective writing are tested in exams and coursework

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Summative Assessment

Formative Assessment:

An individually written essay plan (maximum 2 pages A4). Feedback is provided through small group discussions in the tutorials occurring throughout the module and on online active learning tasks.

■ 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