2024/25 Taught Postgraduate Module Catalogue
GEOG5401M Analysing Cities
15 creditsClass Size: 50
Module manager: Jiaqi Ge
Email: j.ge@leeds.ac.uk
Taught: Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) View Timetable
Year running 2024/25
This module is not approved as an Elective
Module summary
This module provides a foundation in understanding and analysing cities from a complex system perspective using an interdisciplinary approach. Students will gain a deep understanding of cities as a complex system that consists of multiple co-existing and interacting sub-systems. Students will be able to integrate and apply interdisciplinary knowledge and methods to generate novel solutions to specific city-related issues, and develop skills in critical thinking and creative problem solving, through lectures, in-depth seminar discussions, and team-based projects.Objectives
The module will outline the spatial (e.g. flows, spaces) and social (e.g. economics, migration, activity) processes that contribute to cities. It will describe how cities can be viewed as a ‘complex’ system, how interactions are central to the generation of urban systems, and understood through both disciplinary and interdisciplinary approaches. It will consider how we plan, organise, and evaluate cities, and address future challenges.Learning outcomes
On successful completion of the module students will have demonstrated the following learning outcomes relevant to the subject:
1. Understand the nature of cities as a dynamic, complex and adaptive system, consisting of many interacting sub-systems within a city;
2. Understand the different perspectives and methods that have been used to analyse cities in different domains and disciplines, and to obtain an overview of the methods and tools available to study and analyse cities;
3. Apply and integrate the interdisciplinary knowledge and analytical tools to develop novel solutions to city-related issues;
4. Engage in in-depth discussions on various topics on cities, and to carry out team-based creative problem-solving of specific city-related issues.
Skills Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of the module students will have demonstrated the following skills learning outcomes:
1. Develop critical thinking skills about the social and environmental issues arising from the development of cities;
2. Develop skills in the writing, presentation and communication of complex concepts and consistent arguments based on scientific evidence;
3. Develop team-work and leadership skills.
Syllabus
Details of the syllabus will be provided on the Minerva organisation (or equivalent) for the module.
Teaching methods
| Delivery type | Number | Length hours | Student hours |
| Lectures | 10 | 1.50 | 15.00 |
| seminars | 10 | 2.00 | 20.00 |
| Private study hours | 115.00 | ||
| Total Contact hours | 35.00 | ||
| Total hours (100hr per 10 credits) | 150.00 | ||
Opportunities for Formative Feedback
Formative feedback will be provided in each seminar in response to student presentations and particularly for their contribution to the seminar discussion, in which they will be encouraged to actively participate.Methods of assessment
Coursework
| Assessment type | Notes | % of formal assessment |
| Assignment | Coursework | 60.00 |
| Assignment | Coursework | 30.00 |
| Assignment | Coursework | 10.00 |
| Total percentage (Assessment Coursework) | 100.00 | |
Resit will consist of a short essay and a powerpoint on one of the topics covered in the module with voice-over, reflecting on both the topic and student’s participation.
Reading list
The reading list is available from the Library websiteLast updated: 29/04/2024 16:14:37
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- Undergraduate module catalogue
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