Module Catalogue 2024/25

Pre Requisite Comment

N/A

Co Requisite Comment

N/A

Aims

The main aim of the module is to theoretically and empirically explore and understand contemporary urban cultural economies, particularly as it relates to different representations of cities and their impacts on diverse social groupings. Beginning with the transition from the industrial city to the urban cultural economy, the module explore variations of the capitalist entrepreneurial city form (i.e. smart, creative, entertainment, gentrified) alongside alternative and oppositional ideas and movements. Particular attention will be given to the way in which the current pandemic has altered how we see and understand the city, and thrown up new interpretations of how urban development can, and should, proceed. Additionally, attention will be given to how these various forms of urban cultural economy impact on particular social groups (i.e. urban poor, BAME, youth, women, artists and creatives, the business classes, social movements, middle classes, etc)

Outline Of Syllabus

The module combines the use of theoretical understanding and empirical case study material by focussing in on a number of different ‘representations’ of the ‘new’ cultural economies of cities, including (note not all areas may be covered every year):

Introduction - Changing Urbanism: From Industrialism to The ‘New’ Cultural Economies of Cities (including the impact of COVID19)
Business As Usual: The Return to the Entrepreneurial City?
Can Smart Cities Save Us?: The Business/ Technology City
Is it Worth Saving the Creative City?: Thinking About Alternative Creative Spaces
The Entertainment City: The Changing Fortunes of Urban Nightlife
The Rich/ Poor City: Gentrification and the Urban Poor
The Conflictual City and Urban Protest
The Sustainable and Alternative City

Intended Knowledge Outcomes

Students will develop a sound grasp of the main theoretical issues surrounding the ‘new’ cultural economies of cities and will be conversant with a range of case studies and social issues inherent in this recent urban transformation.

Intended Skill Outcomes

Through readings, seminar participation and essay-writing, students will develop critical/ analytical skills and general oral, aural and writing skills.

Teaching Rationale And Relationship

Teaching sessions are flexibly designed to incorporate a wide range of methods, including lecture input, seminar discussion, workshops, student presentations, film screenings, as appropriate to the material and in response to the needs of the student group. Teaching groups are small enough to enable discussion which can include significant amounts of formative feedback.

Assessment Rationale And Relationship

An essay is most suited to MA students wanting to choose a topic and develop their own line of argument and choose appropriate and interesting case studies, as well as aid in the development of organisational, reading and writing skills.

General Notes

N/A