2018/19 Undergraduate Module Catalogue

GEOG2051 The Making of the Modern City: European and Colonial Capitals

10 creditsClass Size: 50

Module manager: Dr Alex Schafran
Email: a.schafran@leeds.ac.uk

Taught: Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) View Timetable

Year running 2018/19

This module is mutually exclusive with

GEOG2046

The Making of the Modern City

This module is approved as a discovery module

Module summary

The module concentrates on the period from approximately 1850 to the end of 1960, and covers changing social conditions and urban change. After an examination of urban conditions in European cities in the first half of the century , the work of re-designing cities like Paris and Vienna is considered. The social disruptions and energies created by growing urban populations are examined, as are attempts by the state to shape the directions of urban change. The worldwide diffusion of European planning practices is examined, as well as its impact on populations in Southeast and East Asia.

Objectives

On completion of this module students should have acquired:
i) an understanding of issues and themes in the planning and development of cities in the modern world (ca 1850 onwards), with particular regard to issues of power, social injustice and modernist planning and development
ii) an appreciation of how modern urban geographies were produced, and why
iii) an appreciation of how literary and visual representations have influenced urban development in the modern period, and an understanding of the idea of modern and modernity
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. This includes Asian, Latin American, Eastern European, Western European and North American cities
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.
vii) skills in key urban research methodologies, including participant observation, visual methods, and discourse

Learning outcomes
Knowledge and Understanding
The relationship between urban development, power, and ideology
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
The role of changes in technology, the nature of work and labour markets in influencing spatial patterns of economic activity

Skills outcomes
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
Collect, interpret and synthesise different types of quantitative and qualitative 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 graphical presentations)
Use information technology effectively (including use of spreadsheet, database and word processing programmes; Internet and e-mail)
Identify, retrieve, sort and exchange geographical information using a wide range of sources
Work as part of a team and to recognise and respect the viewpoints of others
Manage time and organise work effectively.

Syllabus

The module concentrates on the period from approximately 1850 to the end of 1960, and introduces students to the following themes:

Urbanisation and urban redevelopment in periods of industrialisation and colonial expansion.
Social change in cities in Britain, Europe and selected other parts of the world, including East Asia. Eastern Europe and North and South America.
The development of ideas and practice in urban planning and the diffusion of planning practice around the world.
Colonial cities and their absorption into the world economic system.
Reflections in text and illustrations of urban change and its impact on peoples’ lives.

Seminars running alongside the lectures will introduce students to relevant literature that supports learning on the module themes. The seminars will be prefaced by lectures that underline module themes and prepare students for the seminars and assessment tasks through guidance on ‘reading’ urban landscapes.

Teaching methods

Delivery type	Number	Length hours	Student hours
Fieldwork	3	1.00	3.00
Lecture	10	2.00	20.00
Seminar	10	1.00	10.00
Private study hours			67.00
Total Contact hours			33.00
Total hours (100hr per 10 credits)			100.00

Private study

Private study will take the following forms:
1) General reading to prepare for and supplement weekly lectures.
2) Reading to prepare, research and revise for end of semester assessments.
3) Field work to take photograph and prepare additional material for photo and commentary assessment.
4) Reading of literature for seminar sessions.

Opportunities for Formative Feedback

Students’ progress is monitored through an essay in week 12.

Methods of assessment

Coursework

Assessment type	Notes	% of formal assessment
Essay	2,000 words	100.00
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: 18/02/2019

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