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Module

GEO2124 : The creative and knowledge-based economy: Berlin field course

  • Offered for Year: 2024/25
  • Module Leader(s): Professor Andy Pike
  • Lecturer: Dr Emma Ormerod, Professor Danny MacKinnon
  • Owning School: Geography, Politics & Sociology
  • Teaching Location: Mixed Location
  • Capacity limit: 35 student places
Semesters

Your programme is made up of credits, the total differs on programme to programme.

Semester 2 Credit Value: 20
ECTS Credits: 10.0
European Credit Transfer System

Aims

- To understand the character of contemporary economic and urban development in Berlin
- To provide students with a critical understanding of theories, case studies and policies involved in the urban and regional development of Berlin
- To recognise the evolutionary dimensions (economic, social and political development) that frame the context of Berlin’s past, present and future development
- To understand the role of key institutions, policy and strategy in shaping the economic trajectories witnessed in Berlin
- To critically assess the notion of Berlin as a ‘creative city’, drawing upon economic geography perspectives and debates around creativity and economic development
- To develop a critical understanding of Berlin’s economic development in the context of wider debates about urban and regional development in a global and European context.
- To develop the ability to work with others to gain information from experts, field visits and other sources
- To develop the ability to discuss field observations with peers, connecting these to academic literatures
- To develop the ability to work on own initiative to follow up themes and issues introduced on the field course
- To develop the ability to reflect on learning in the field and produce a fieldwork essay and policy briefing report
- To develop the ability to reflect on learning in the field and produce a fieldwork essay and policy briefing report

Outline Of Syllabus

1. Introductory Lectures (early semester 2) (in Newcastle)
2. Pre-fieldwork lectures (final weeks leading upto fieldtrip) (in Newcastle)
3. Fieldtrip: Easter Vacation. This will involve c. 4.5 days in Berlin. However, if the conditions prevent travel to Berlin, a virtual alternative will be delivered from Newcastle

Teaching Methods

Teaching Activities
Category Activity Number Length Student Hours Comment
Guided Independent StudyAssessment preparation and completion140:0040:00N/A
Scheduled Learning And Teaching ActivitiesLecture62:0012:00N/A
Scheduled Learning And Teaching ActivitiesFieldwork58:0040:00N/A
Guided Independent StudyIndependent study1108:00108:00N/A
Total200:00
Teaching Rationale And Relationship

The preliminary lectures will serve as an introduction to both the subject of study and the practicalities of studying in the field, either in person or virtually. Fieldwork will be based on either in-person or virtual study visits, guest lectures and seminars and will provide students with opportunities to explore modes of learning beyond the university. Following the field activicity, students should dedicate time to further reading for and production of the fieldwork report.

Assessment Methods

The format of resits will be determined by the Board of Examiners

Other Assessment
Description Semester When Set Percentage Comment
Essay2M75Fieldwork essay: bringing together the key themes, theories and empirics of the course - 3,000 words
Oral Examination2M25Group presentation delivered on the field trip to Berlin.
Assessment Rationale And Relationship

Students are expected to produce a field work essay and group presentation using prior reading and information gathered during the field trip. Students will be expected to use their reading and information in conjunction with secondary sources. The structure of the essay and group presentation will allow students to reflect on the differences between learning in the field and learning in the lecture theatre.

Reading Lists

Timetable