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2016/17 Taught Postgraduate Module Catalogue

GEOG5200M Reclaiming the City (Long)

30 creditsClass Size: 15

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

Taught: Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) View Timetable

Year running 2016/17

This module is mutually exclusive with

GEOG5205MReclaiming the City (Short)

Module replaces

GEOG5110M

This module is approved as an Elective

Module summary

This module develops students' critical engagement with current staff research on cities, urban social movements and alternative ways of urban living around the world. The core of this module functions around a case study method in which students conduct brief and intense research investigations following an introductory lecture and set of readings into a specific research context. Research themes in the case studies broadly addresses the reclaiming and remaking of urban space in more sustainable, just, equitable and democratic ways in the global north and south, through urban struggles and contestations over - regeneration, gentrification and displacement, privatisation of public space, mega-urbanization and urban infrastructure projects, slum demolitions and evictions.This module provides a good mix of up-to-date knowledge about key urban issues, in order to be able to develop their own research interests accordingly. It develops skills in learning about these issues rapidly and critically, situating their knowledge in specific research contexts and using this knowledge to produce professional reports and presentations.The assessment involves either one 5000-6000 word comparative paper on global urban justice accompanied by a 25 minute presentation. Each report and presentation will address the topics and themes of the four case studies.

Objectives

1) Familiarize students with a wide range of critical case studies of urban justice issues in variety of global settings, both in terms of geography and issues of debate
2) Utilize the ongoing research of Geography staff as a learning tool for engaging with urban justice case studies
3) Develop students ability to engage with ongoing case research quickly and efficiently using a wide range of existing research resources
4) Provide a forum in which students can examine key theoretical concepts from Semester 1
5) Provide a forum in which students can utilize qualitative, quantitative or mixed methods research tools taught in Semester 1 in advance of dissertation research

Learning outcomes
On completion of this module students should have acquired:
-A strong general understanding of key questions in global urban justice
-Specific and in-depth knowledge about urban justice issues present in the on-going case-study research of module instructors and in alignment with the students’ research interests
-The ability to conduct rapid initial framing case studies of key urban issues in a wide mix of settings
-The ability to write brief, professional-quality reports on key urban issues
-The ability to link deeper theoretical debates with on the ground activities in a variety of settings

Skills outcomes
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

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 qualitative and quantitative 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 word processing programmes; Internet and e-mail)
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
Case Study 1
Case Study 2
Case Study 3
Case Study 4

This module runs in semester 2 (January to March over 8 weeks) to complement the other core MA GUJ module, GEOG5210M Collaborative Research Placement.

The core of this module functions around a case study method in which students conduct brief and intense research investigations following an introductory lecture and set of readings.

For each case study, students are presented with an introductory lecture outlining an issue of global urban justice via lecture, readings and field work (where applicable). In a follow up seminar, students and staff brainstorm ways of extending that case study -through more in depth examination of an aspect of that issue, through comparative work with another urban geographical context. Students then work together in small groups to research an aspect of this extension and present their findings in the second week of the case study.

Among possible case studies would be: post-carbon cities using examples from Leeds; public art, urban regeneration and social inclusion using examples from the Netherlands; urban markets using examples from Latin America and Europe; poverty and slum evictions in Delhi.

Teaching methods

Delivery typeNumberLength hoursStudent hours
Lecture42.008.00
Seminar162.0032.00
Private study hours260.00
Total Contact hours40.00
Total hours (100hr per 10 credits)300.00

Private study

120 hours reading to support lectures and class discussions
140 hours research and preparation of case study reports and verbal presentations

Opportunities for Formative Feedback

Staff will be heavily engaged with students during the case study process, and the convenor will monitor progress towards the case study reports.

Methods of assessment


Coursework
Assessment typeNotes% of formal assessment
Oral PresentationPresentation (25 minutes)30.00
EssayOne 5000-6000 word comparative paper (or 2 x 2500-3000 papers) on Global Urban Justice70.00
Total percentage (Assessment Coursework)100.00

Students are expected to be present in the case study presentation. Equivalent of presentation will only be acceptable under mitigating circumstances.

Reading list

The reading list is available from the Library website

Last updated: 25/01/2017

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