2008/09 Undergraduate Module Catalogue

GEOG2930 The Modern City

10 creditsClass Size: 150

Module manager: Dr Paul Waley
Email: p.t.waley@leeds.ac.uk

Taught: Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) View Timetable

Year running 2008/09

This module is approved as an Elective

Module summary

This module covers the planning of cities in the 'modern' world, here taken as the period between about 1850 and 1970. The origins and development of modern urban planning are considered with special emphasis placed on their growing complexity and diversity in the 20th century. The worldwide diffusion of European planning practices is examined, as well as its impact on local populations. Literary and artistic work is consulted to contribute to a sense of the impact and immediacy of urban change.

Objectives

On completion of this module students should have acquired
i) an understanding of issues and themes in the planning and cultural geographies of cities in the modern world;
ii) an appreciation of the complexity and diversity of modern urban cultural geographies;
iii) an appreciation of how literary and visual representations have influenced urban development in the modern period;
iv) an understanding of theoretical perspectives on urban planning and development in the modern world;
v) detailed knowledge of the character of selected cities, and their place within wider systems;
vi) skills in the identification and acquisition of literature and other sources, and knowledge of selected techniques of information retrieval, analysis and presentation in oral and written formats.

Skills outcomes
A Knowledge and Understanding
A1 The dynamic nature of geographical thought and practice and the inter-relationships between the discipline and the social sciences.
A4 Spatial patterns and relationships in human phenomena at a variety of scales
A5 The geography of places and their constitution by environmental, economic, social and political processes, and the influence of places on these processes
A6 The geographies of difference and inequality with particular reference to historical development, ethnicity, class, gender and the changing nature of urban and regional economies and policy
A8 The role of changes in technology, the nature of work and labour markets in influencing spatial patterns of economic activity

B Cognitive skills
B1 Abstraction and synthesis of information from a variety of sources
B2 Assessment and critical evaluation of the merits of contrasting theories, explanations, policies
B3 Critical analysis and interpretation of data and text
B4 Developing reasoned arguments
B5 Solving problems and making reasoned decisions

C Practical/professional skills
C1 Plan, design, execute and report geographical research both individually and as part of a team
C4 Collect, interpret and synthesise different types of quantitative and qualitative geographical data
C5 Recognise the ethical issues involved in geographical debates and enquiries

D Key skills
D1 Learn in familiar and unfamiliar situations
D2 Communicate effectively (in writing, verbally and through graphical presentations)
D4 Use information technology effectively (including use of spreadsheet, database and word processing programmes; Internet and e-mail)
D5 Identify, retrieve, sort and exchange geographical information using a wide range of sources
D6 Work as part of a team and to recognise and respect the viewpoints of others
D7 Manage time and organise work effectively.

Syllabus

Introduction: Modern Cities, Where and When
The Industrial City I - A Landscape of Factory Chimneys
Cities and Empires I - Bourgeois Cities, Cities Beautiful
The City Planned I - Howard, Le Corbusier and the Planners
Cities in Thought I - Finding Meaning in the Modern Metropolis
Tutorial Workshop - Commentaries and Illustrations
Cities in Thought II - Modern Cities as Objects of Study
The Industrial City II - The Soviet Producer City
Cities and Empires II - High Modernism and the Urban Grand Manner
The City Planned II - High Modernism and Reconstruction in Europe

Teaching methods

Delivery type	Number	Length hours	Student hours
Workshop	1	1.00	1.00
Lecture	9	1.00	9.00
Private study hours			90.00
Total Contact hours			10.00
Total hours (100hr per 10 credits)			100.00

Private study

35 hours -- Reading to support learning for lectures
15 hours -- Reading, preparation and completion of illustration commentaries for workshops and for assessment
40 hours -- Reading, preparation and completion of assessed essay

Opportunities for Formative Feedback

Through close monitoring of student performance in tutorial workshops. Two illustrations and commentaries are submitted, presented and commented on in the small-group tutorial workshops. The same illustrations and commentaries are re-submitted for assessment after re-working following formative feedback. For assessment purposes a third illustration and commentary is submitted. Students work in pairs.

Methods of assessment

Coursework

Assessment type	Notes	% of formal assessment
Essay	1,500 words	70.00
Portfolio	3 x illustration and 300 word commentary (joint effort by 2 students)	30.00
Total percentage (Assessment Coursework)		100.00

Portfolio work to be undertaken in pairs.

Reading list

The reading list is available from the Library website

Last updated: 28/04/2009

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