Durham University
Programme and Module Handbook

Undergraduate Programme and Module Handbook 2024-2025

Module GEOG2511: URBAN GEOGRAPHY

Department: Geography

GEOG2511: URBAN GEOGRAPHY

Type Open Level 2 Credits 20 Availability Available in 2024/2025 Module Cap Location Durham

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 infrastructure and inequalities
  • Public space and spatial exclusions
  • Urban densities and crowds
  • Urban natures
  • Migration
  • Urban economies
  • Urban communities and diversity
  • 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 debates in urban geography
  • Understand the range of perspectives and approaches to urban geographical enquiry
  • Appreciate diverse perspectives and challenges faced by urban communities and stakeholders
Subject-specific Skills:
  • 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
Key Skills:
  • On successful completion of the module students will be able to:
  • Demonstrate expertise in critical reflection and analysis
  • Communicate critical urban geographical analysis through written/oral/visual modes
  • Evaluate evidence from a range of sources (academic, media, social media, governmental and other institutional sources)
  • Demonstrate ability to formulate critical and sophisticated arguments from the above-mentioned sources
  • Demonstrate capacity to improve their own independent learning and performance by gathering 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 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 and urban development processes are introduced and explained in lectures
  • Concepts and alternative academic approaches are introduced in lectures and discussed and developed in tutorials and through formative feedback.
  • Factual understanding, critical evaluation and effective writing are tested in exams and coursework

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Activity Number Frequency Duration Total/Hours
Lectures 15 Terms 1,2 and 3 2 hours 30
Seminars 2 Terms 1 and 2 2 hour 4
Presentation 1 Term 1 4 hour 1
Preparation and Reading 162
Total 200

Summative Assessment

Component: Group presentation Component Weighting: 40%
Element Length / duration Element Weighting Resit Opportunity
Group presentation 100%
Component: Individual Essay Component Weighting: 60%
Element Length / duration Element Weighting Resit Opportunity
Individual Essay 5 x A4 sides 100%

Formative Assessment:

Seminar 1 will entail group presentations and discussion on a selected module theme, feeding into the end of Term 1 summative Group Presentation assessment. Seminar 2 will support learning for the Individual Essay.


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