Aims

To build critical, social-scientific understanding of contemporary cities and processes of urban change.
- To give students an understanding of the key debates in contemporary urban theory.
- To link theoretical debates, processes of urban change, and urban policy and planning debates using specific case studies and examples.

Outline Of Syllabus

This module uses a range of teaching styles – lectures, videos and discussions – to present a cutting-edge and critical introduction to the understanding of contemporary cities. The course addresses a wide range of types of cities; ’global’ cities such as London; postindustrial cities such as Newcastle; and Global South mega-cities. Using the latest insights from a wide range of social-scientific research on urban change to address this wide range of examples, the module will allow students to gain insights into contemporary urban theory. It will use these to build an understanding of how contemporary cities are changing and how these changes raise major challenges for urban planning and policy making.

Teaching Rationale And Relationship

Weekly lecture material, followed by individual activities of creative practice (e.g. viewing of a film, photographing) and contextual reading linked to topic, followed by bi-weekly workshops with group activities and discussion. Structured readings supplied each week. Support for preparation of assessments.

Assessment Rationale And Relationship

The assessment consists of two sections: an individual 2 500 word essay where one urban issue/theme is tackled conceptually and applied to understand a real world case study city and the second assignment is a group poster & presentation. The first assignment will link with key learning objectives regarding development of analytical skills, research skills and understanding the complexity of urban issues, while the second assignment will help create collaborative work among individuals from different undergraduate programs. This is a visual assignment which will help students strengthen their visual digital and analog drawing, mapping and image handling skills greatly needed in Urban Design and Planning, Geography and Architecture professions. By working in teams will help with knowledge and skills learning translation from the more visually creative students to the ones less visually inclined, helping those acquire new valuable skills through peer-learning. The presentation of the poster in front of the class will also help with oral delivery skills.