2023/24 Undergraduate Module Catalogue

TRAN2063 Key Challenges in Transport and Society

10 creditsClass Size: 50

Module manager: Zahara Batool
Email: Z.Batool@leeds.ac.uk

Taught: Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) View Timetable

Year running 2023/24

This module is approved as a discovery module

This module is approved as a skills discovery module

Module summary

This module aims to develop students’ understanding of transport and travel and how it interacts with society at large. That is, to identify and develop an understanding of the dynamic ways in which transport and travel influence and are influenced by society. By addressing the social factors influencing and influenced by transport and travel, and how transport policy, provision and use can change in light of politics, protest and community engagement/action, this Module engages with Creating Sustainable Futures and understanding Power and Conflict.

Objectives

To develop students’ understanding of transport and travel and how it interacts with society at large, the objectives of this module are:
- to identify and develop conceptual understanding of the dynamic ways in which transport and travel influence and are influenced by society;
- to give students the opportunity to develop an understanding of the social significance, character and multiple meanings of transport and travel in everyday lives, and the power relations, ethics and contestations bound up with individual and organisational decisions on transport;
- to engage students with multiple theoretical perspectives that link with contemporary debates.
Such knowledge is essential for graduates working in the Transport field and other policy sectors where transport can be an important factor. For example, what are the transport consequences of migration policy decisions? Or how might cultural perspectives of different modes of transport be a barrier to successful transport policy implementation to increase walking and cycling to improve health?

Learning outcomes
To understand the broad range of processes and theories regarding transport’s influence on society and society’s influence on transport, including:
1. the significance and character of travel and mobility;
2. theories of inequalities, exclusion, 'social capital', and social networks in relation to transport;
3. the cultural significance of travel by different modes;
4. theories of Globalisation and the consumption of 'leisure' in relation to transport;
5. the changing character of transport and travel, and the influence of politics, government, community engagement, ethics, power and protest.
To develop and practice a range of skills associated with critical analysis, evaluation, presentation, comprehension, application, analysis, synthesis and assessment of evidence.
To develop and practice, specifically via the seminars and assessments, skills in written, oral and visual communication.

Syllabus

Key topics covered will be as follows:
- The meaning and social significance of travel and car dependence
- Social networks and travel;
- Transport and social exclusion;
- Protests and travel;
- Ethics, transport and travel
- Governance, community engagement and travel.
- Future transport systems and societal resistance

Teaching methods

Delivery type	Number	Length hours	Student hours
Workshop	10	1.00	10.00
Lecture	10	1.00	10.00
Independent online learning hours			6.00
Private study hours			74.00
Total Contact hours			20.00
Total hours (100hr per 10 credits)			100.00

Private study

Independent online learning:
Contributions to the Module Discussion Forum, and viewing of a number of topical videos linked to the content of specific lectures.

Private study:
25 hours associated with the each of the two courseworks, plus 25 further hours associated with wider reading and research.

Opportunities for Formative Feedback

A number of opportunities for formative feedback have been designed in to the Module: Firstly, students will receive individualised written feedback on their 2 assessed pieces of coursework, as well as receiving generic feedback relating to each of the courseworks. Secondly, students will receive oral feedback in the tutorial session, organised for the end of the semester. Thirdly, the weekly seminars will be used to provide ongoing feedback throughout the Module.

Methods of assessment

Coursework

Assessment type	Notes	% of formal assessment
Essay	Short essay 1000 words	50.00
Presentation	Video podcast (8-10 minutes) with accompanying script	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: 28/04/2023 14:56:45

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