Module and Programme Catalogue

Search site

Find information on

2017/18 Undergraduate Module Catalogue

GEOG3046 Global Cities: Buenos Aires

20 creditsClass Size: 25

Module manager: Michael Janoschka
Email: m.janoschka@leeds.ac.uk

Taught: Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) View Timetable

Year running 2017/18

This module is mutually exclusive with

GEOG3042Urban and Regional Development: A Case Study of Athens
GEOG3550Global Cities: Miami

Module replaces

GEOG3045 Global Cities: Mumbai

This module is not approved as a discovery module

Module summary

This module offers students the opportunity to undertake a week of field work in Buenos Aires. The fieldtrip includes both lecturer directed work and independent investigation in the field. The trip is prefaced by lectures, seminars and group learning. During these sessions important background and contextual information is provided so that students can relate their explorations in the field to themes from level 3 BA Human Geography modules. Buenos Aires This week-long residential fieldtrip provides students with the opportunity to explore and conduct independent research in Buenos Aires, which is one of the most multicultural and diverse cities in Latin America. Home of migrants from across Europe, Asia and other Latin American countries, it is a multicultural melting pot of people of all backgrounds, cultures and beliefs. The city is also considered the cultural and financial centre of South America, with an extremely rich music, art and literature scene, as well as distinctive Art Deco architecture. During the fieldtrip students will have the opportunity to develop an understanding of Buenos Aires’ social geographies and of how contemporary urban redevelopment has been shaping the spaces of inclusion and exclusion in the city. Through a series of guided activities, visits and independent research students will come to understand processes of rapid urban transformation taking place in different neighbourhoods, elite housing developments, and slum redevelopment areas in the city and its fringes.

Objectives

On completion of the module, the student should have acquired:

1. An appreciation of the characteristics of the urban environments of Buenos Aires and the geographical processes which underlie their development;
2. Skills in the identification, collection and representation of a variety of information and data sources;
3. An ability to undertake independent field research, plan projects and present this through visual and written modes;
4. An understanding of the practical application of concepts and methods learnt in the classroom.

Learning outcomes
1. An understanding of key theories within urban studies, especially those regarding gentrification and displacement, segregation, informality and social exclusion, urban contestation and collective action, urban regeneration and public-private-partnership.
2. An appreciation of the role of social, economic and cultural factors in the shaping and transformation of cities.
3. An understanding of key social policy debates and initiatives in influencing planning, infrastructure development and housing in cities.
4. An appreciation of the role of diverse populations in the creation of urban geographies.

Skills outcomes
Knowledge and Understanding
- The dynamic nature of geographical thought and practice and the inter-relationships between the discipline and the social sciences
- Patterns and processes of environmental change and their inter-relationships with human activities
- Spatial patterns and relationships in human phenomena at a variety of scales
- The geography of places and their constitution by environmental, economic, social and political processes, and the influence of places on these processes
- 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
- Contemporary debates about time-space relationships, globalization and global interconnections
- The role of changes in technology, the nature of work and labour markets in influencing spatial patterns of economic activity
- The contribution of geography to development of environmental political, economic and cultural agendas, policies and practices

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

Practical/professional skills
- Plan, design, execute and report geographical research both individually and as part of a team
- Undertake effective field work (with due regard for safety and risk assessment)
- Collect, interpret and synthesise different types of quantitative, qualitative and visual geographical data
- Recognise the ethical issues involved in geographical debates and enquiries

Key skills
- Learn in familiar and unfamiliar situations
- Communicate effectively (in writing, verbally and through visual/graphical presentations)
- Use information technology effectively (including use of powerpoint, spreadsheet, database and word processing programmes; Internet and e-mail)
- Identify, retrieve, sort and exchange geographical information using a wide range of sources


Syllabus

Lectures and student-centred learning together with one week of field work in Buenos Aires, covering the following themes:

- Gentrification and displacement
- Segregation and the dichotomy between elite gated housing estates and informality in the production of urban space
- Cultural policies, tourism-related redevelopment and urban regeneration schemes
- Social movements and urban politics
- Ecologic tensions, transport and infrastructure development in a Megacity

Teaching methods

Delivery typeNumberLength hoursStudent hours
Fieldwork77.0049.00
Group learning41.004.00
Lecture12.002.00
Seminar42.008.00
Independent online learning hours137.00
Private study hours0.00
Total Contact hours63.00
Total hours (100hr per 10 credits)200.00

Private study

Private study will take the following forms:
1) General reading to prepare for and supplement lectures.
2) Reading to prepare for the field trip.
3) Reading to prepare, research and conduct the assessments.

Opportunities for Formative Feedback

Through group project proposal before fieldtrip departure, discussion of literature and films in the pre-fieldtrip lectures and seminars, and evaluation of student participation, engagement and understanding during the field trip activities.

Methods of assessment


Coursework
Assessment typeNotes% of formal assessment
Group ProjectFieldtrip day activity proposal (1000 words equivalent per student)30.00
ReportIndividual 3,000 word report70.00
Total percentage (Assessment Coursework)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: 06/06/2017

Disclaimer

Browse Other Catalogues

Errors, omissions, failed links etc should be notified to the Catalogue Team.PROD

© Copyright Leeds 2019