2013/14 Undergraduate Module Catalogue

GEOG3130 Alternative Urban Futures

20 creditsClass Size: 100

Module manager: Dr Paul Chatterton
Email: p.chatterton@leeds.ac.uk

Taught: Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun) View Timetable

Year running 2013/14

Module replaces

GEOG3920 Autonomous Geographies Sustainable Futures

This module is approved as an Elective

Module summary

This module explores the different kinds of alternative futures urban areas face. It looks at key challenges such as peak oil, climate change, social and spatial justice. It frames urban futures through a number of key pathways ranging from eco-modernisation, localisation, state renewal and grassroots democracy. Case studies and guest speakers are interweaved with lectures, seminars and practical sessions.

Objectives

By the end of this module students who have engaged well with the syllabus should be able to:
1. display an informed understanding of processes ecological, social and political change at an urban level;
2. engage with different future scenarios for urban areas;
3. demonstrate an awareness of the multi-faceted nature of urban change and future urban scenarios and alternatives in practice;
4. use academic, journalistic and electronic information sources to inform their critical analysis of processes of urban change;
5. express their understanding in written and oral forms.
6. demonstrate an ability to apply understandings of possible alternatives through practice based work

Learning outcomes
Contemporary debates about future thinking and scenario modelling
Detailed understandings of different pathways based on complex socio-political choices based on key themes such as technology, the nation state, social movements and relocalisation
Explorations of alternatives in practice in different geographical contexts including food, energy, housing work and land
Use of transition skills around mapping, decision making and public scholarship.

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

Practical/professional skills
Plan, design, execute and report geographical research
Collect, interpret and synthesise different types of qualitative geographical data
Recognise the ethical issues involved in geographical debates and enquiries
Relate concepts to practice through engaged enquiry.

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

See below for indicative syllabus:

UNIT ONE: THINKING ABOUT THE FUTURE
The agenda for change, scenario thinking and the nature of change

Discuss a range of indicative scenarios:

Scenario 1: eco modernisation, the green state, techno-fixes and lifeboats
Scenario 2: reclaiming the participatory-socialist state
Scenario 3: Social movements and socio-environmental justice struggles
Scenario 4: relocalisation, de-growth and small is beautiful

UNIT TWO: ALTERNATIVES INTO PRACTICE

Select from a range of topics including:

Food: from industrial agriculture to local food
Energy Futures: alt tech, green tech, brown tech
Future Housing: affordable and green?
Work and money
Land and planning


UNIT THREE: TRANSITION SKILLS AND TOOLS

Selection from a range of topics including:

Public and Participatory Scholarship
Democracy and decision making
Participatory methods (AI, PA etc)
Participatory Mapping

UNIT FOUR: PRACTICE BASED INQUIRY

Includes students undertaking PBI independently in small groups plus support sessions by course team

Teaching methods

Delivery type	Number	Length hours	Student hours
Fieldwork	1	20.00	20.00
Fieldwork	5	1.00	5.00
Group learning	5	1.00	5.00
Lecture	10	1.00	10.00
Practical	5	1.00	5.00
Seminar	10	1.00	10.00
Private study hours			145.00
Total Contact hours			55.00
Total hours (100hr per 10 credits)			200.00

Private study

- 40 hours reading to support individual lectures and to prepare for seminars
- 15 hours reading, bibliographical research and preparation for log
- 30 hours reading, bibliographical research and preparation for PBI group project
- 45 hours reading, bibliographical research and preparation for assessed essay
- 15 hours preparation for fieldtrip (CAT, Findhorn, Totnes) and presentation

Opportunities for Formative Feedback

Through 4 forms of assessment spread over 2 semesters.
The critical review is marked in week 7 which gives early feedback on writing style and comprehension. Additionally, the essay is set in mid semester 1 and is due in at the beginning of semester 2. This will provide mid point feedback to students on writing skills.
The PBI report is handed in at the end of sem 2 to give final formal feedback on group writing skills.
The verbal presentation will happen at the end of the fieldtrip and will be used for the students to feedback on the experience against core module concepts.
The PBI sessions in weeks 20-24 provide regular check ins with the module team on progress of the Practice based enquiry.

Methods of assessment

Coursework

Assessment type	Notes	% of formal assessment
Essay	2,500 words	50.00
Poster Presentation	500 word equivalent	0.00
Practical	Practice based enquiry group report (in groups of 4) 1,500 word contribution per student	30.00
Critique	Critical summary of key text - 1,000 words	20.00
Total percentage (Assessment Coursework)		100.00

Poster presentation is pass-to-progress

Reading list

The reading list is available from the Library website

Last updated: 09/04/2015

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