2008/09 Undergraduate Module Catalogue

GEOG1280 Cities and Society

10 creditsClass Size: 50

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

Taught: Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) View Timetable

Year running 2008/09

This module is mutually exclusive with

GEOG1200

Changing Worlds, Changing Places

This module is approved as an Elective

Module summary

This module is only available as an elective.In the contemporary world cities are important as never before, not just as concentrations of population and economic activity, but as sites of initiative and decision-making that have a global as well as a local impact. It seems vital, therefore, to know more about the ways in which modern cities operate, who controls the levers of power in urban governance, and relationships between urban elites and other key decision-makers. Such understanding, however, also reinforces perceptions of cities as sites of considerable social diversity and profound inequality. The module, therefore, explores the ways in which notions of difference - which may be constituted in terms that are socio-economic, racial or gendered - play out across urban spaces. The module is taught through lectures, supported by tutorials, and assessed by an unseen examination at the end of semester two.

Objectives

On completion of this module students who have engaged well with the syllabus should be able to:
1. demonstrate understanding of the socio-economic, cultural and political processes influencing the development, form and social dynamic of urban areas;
2. display awareness of contrasting theoretical interpretations of contemporary urbanism, spatial differentiation within urban contexts, social difference and social justice;
3. use academic, journalistic and electronic information sources to inform their critical analysis of pattern and process in the contemporary world

Skills outcomes
A Knowledge and Understanding
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
A7 Contemporary debates about time-space relationships, globalization and global interconnections
A10 The contribution of geography to development of environmental, political, economic and cultural agendas, policies and practices

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

D Key skills
D2 Communicate effectively (in writing, verbally and through graphical presentations)
D6 Work as part of a team and to recognise and respect the viewpoints of others
D7 Manage time and organise work effectively

Syllabus

Urban Geography
1. What are cities?
2. Debates in urban geography
3. Cities in the global economy
4. Urban restructuring and divided cities
5. London: A divided global city? Film - The battle for Docklands
6. Cities, conflict and technology
7. Who runs cities?
8. Sustainable cities
9. Radical thinkers


Social Differences and Identity
1. Social difference, identity and place: class and caste
2. Social difference, identity and place: racialised spaces
3. New racisms
4. Exploring whiteness
5. Gendered landscapes; rethinking patriarchy
6. Symbolic spaces; meaningful places
7. Contested spaces in multiethnic Britain
8. Integration, citizenship and difference: a century of Jewish adaptation
9. Revision session

Teaching methods

Delivery type	Number	Length hours	Student hours
Lecture	20	1.00	20.00
Tutorial	2	1.00	2.00
Private study hours			78.00
Total Contact hours			22.00
Total hours (100hr per 10 credits)			100.00

Private study

45 hours reading to support lectures and tutorial work
33 hours reading and revision for exams

Opportunities for Formative Feedback

Performance in tutorials and formative feedback on written work associated with the tutorials.

Methods of assessment

Exams

Exam type	Exam duration	% of formal assessment
Standard exam (closed essays, MCQs etc)	1 hr 30 mins	100.00
Total percentage (Assessment Exams)		100.00

Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated

Reading list

The reading list is available from the Library website

Last updated: 28/04/2009

Disclaimer

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