2017/18 Undergraduate Module Catalogue

SLSP1160 Understanding and Researching the City

20 creditsClass Size: 180

Module manager: Suzanne Hallam
Email: s.l.hallam@leeds.ac.uk

Taught: Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) View Timetable

Year running 2017/18

Module replaces

SLSP1144 Current Issues in Society

This module is not approved as a discovery module

Module summary

This module will engage students in a sociological exploration of the city and urban spaces in which they live and learn. Students will be able to think critically about their everyday lives in a social scientific way. Students will be introduced to a range of social issues and the local community and be given an opportunity to research areas of interest.

Objectives

By exploring key themes and research techniques and methods in the study of urban sociology, on completion of the module student should be able to:
- Think critically about complex social issues
- Apply a social science method of thinking, and sociological concepts, to a diversity of topics
- Effectively analyse information to evaluate the key aspects of social life;
- Understand some of the social complexities and contrasts in urban life;
- Begin to formulate research questions appropriate to small scale investigation
- Distinguish between different stages of the social research process;
- Demonstrate an awareness of a variety of approaches to social science investigation;
- Begin to evaluate research methodologies

Learning outcomes
On completion of the module, students should be better able to…
- demonstrate a familiarity with the basic concepts, information, practical competencies and techniques in Sociology and Social Policy, particularly in research methodology and urban sociology
- use generic and subject specific intellectual qualities, i.e.be able to communicate the results of their work; present a structured and coherent, simple arguments in Sociology and Social Policy;
- interpret and evaluate the underlying concepts and principles of Sociology and Social Policy specifically in the area of urban studies and research methodology;
- exhibit an ability to evaluate the appropriateness of different approaches associated with the discipline of Sociology and Social Policy in the area of research methods and urban sociology;
- appreciate their strengths and weaknesses as learners;
- display an awareness of the boundaries between Sociology, Social Policy and other disciplines.

Syllabus

- Leeds: then and now
- A tale of two cities; Where you live; Where others live;
- Spending in the city; Night time economy; Consumption
- Sickness and the city; Health inequalities;
- Race and Place; Migration; Identity; Protest
- A place to call your own; Homelessness; Young People
- Researching Urban Lives/Formulating a question
- Ways of Researching/Research Ethics
- Research Week
- Presentation
- Presentation

Teaching methods

Delivery type	Number	Length hours	Student hours
Computer Class	5	1.00	5.00
Lecture	22	1.00	22.00
Tutorial	10	1.00	10.00
Private study hours			163.00
Total Contact hours			37.00
Total hours (100hr per 10 credits)			200.00

Private study

83 hours preparation for lectures and tutorials
40 hours preparation for assessment
40 hours formulating research question, designing and conducting research

Opportunities for Formative Feedback

Contribution at tutorials and the project report

Methods of assessment

Coursework

Assessment type	Notes	% of formal assessment
Project	1,000 words	50.00
Poster Presentation	Poster Presentation	50.00
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: 27/04/2016

Disclaimer

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