Undergraduate Programme and Module Handbook 2016-2017 (archived)
Module GEOG2511: URBAN GEOGRAPHY
Department: Geography
GEOG2511:
URBAN GEOGRAPHY
Type |
Open |
Level |
2 |
Credits |
20 |
Availability |
Available in 2016/17 |
Module Cap |
|
Location |
Durham
|
Prerequisites
Corequisites
Excluded Combination of Modules
Aims
- To introduce students to a range of debates in urban geography and cognate debates in urban studies
- To enable students to appreciate and understand the changing economic, political, social and cultural character of cities in the 21st Century
Content
- Urban theories and concepts
- Urbanization in the global north and global south
- Urban economies
- Poverty and infrastructure
- Public space and spatial exclusions
- Urban politics and policy
Learning Outcomes
- On successful completion of the module students will be able to:
- Demonstrate knowledge of a range of debates in urban geography
- Understand the range of perspectives and approaches to urban geographical enquiry
- On successful completion of the module students will be able to:
- Critically evaluate available evidence on urban forms and processes
- Discuss and write effectively about these debates, approaches, forms and processes
- On successful completion of the module students will be able to:
- Demonstrate expertise in critical reflection and analysis
- Communicate effectively when writing critical urban geographical analysis
- Evaluate evidence from a range of sources (academic, media, social media, governmental and other institutional sources)
- Demonstrate an ability to formulate critical and sophisticated arguments from the above-mentioned sources
- Demonstrate a capacity to improve their own independent learning and performance by gathering necessary information from a range of bibliographic and electronic sources with a view to the critical appraisal of a particular topic
- Demonstrate a range of skills including the ability to evaluate and synthesise information obtained from a variety of sources
- Demonstrate a capacity to evaluate the merits of contrasting theoretical and conceptual approaches
Modes of Teaching, Learning and Assessment and how these contribute to
the learning outcomes of the module
- Basic facts on urban geography are introduced and explained in lectures
- Concepts and alternative academic approaches are introduced in lectures and discussed and developed in tutorials
- Factual understanding is tested in exams and coursework
- Critical evaluation and effective writing are tested in exams and coursework
Teaching Methods and Learning Hours
Activity |
Number |
Frequency |
Duration |
Total/Hours |
|
Lectures |
8 |
Term 1 and 2 |
2 |
16 |
|
Lectures |
7 |
Term 1 and 2 |
1 |
7 |
|
Seminars |
7 |
Term 1 and 2 |
1 |
7 |
|
Tutorials |
2 |
Term 1 and 2 |
1 |
2 |
|
Workshop (Group Presentations) |
1 |
Term 1 |
2 |
2 |
■ |
Preparation and Reading |
|
|
|
166 |
|
Total |
|
|
|
200 |
|
Summative Assessment
Component: Exam |
Component Weighting: 40% |
Element |
Length / duration |
Element Weighting |
Resit Opportunity |
Unseen exam |
1.5 hours |
100% |
|
Component: Critical Synthesis |
Component Weighting: 20% |
Element |
Length / duration |
Element Weighting |
Resit Opportunity |
Critical synthesis of one of the themes/topics in Term 1 |
3 x A4 pages |
100% |
|
Component: Essay |
Component Weighting: 40% |
Element |
Length / duration |
Element Weighting |
Resit Opportunity |
Essay |
5 x A4 sides |
100% |
|
Following preparatory readings and discussions at the Michaelmas Term Tutorial (based upon themes from Term 1); Group Presentations delivered at the Workshop near end of Term 1.
■ Attendance at all activities marked with this symbol will be monitored. Students who fail to attend these activities, or to complete the summative or formative assessment specified above, will be subject to the procedures defined in the University's General Regulation V, and may be required to leave the University