320.507 (21W) Critical Urban Geography (BW4, BW4 alt)

Wintersemester 2021/22

Registration deadline has expired.

First course session
18.10.2021 14:00 - 16:00 Z.0.01 On Campus
... no further dates known

Overview

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, it may be necessary to make changes to courses and examinations at short notice (e.g. cancellation of attendance-based courses and switching to online examinations).

For further information regarding teaching on campus, please visit: https://www.aau.at/en/corona.
Lecturer
Course title german Critical Urban Geography (BW4, BW4 alt)
Type Proseminar (continuous assessment course )
Course model Attendance-based course
Hours per Week 2.0
ECTS credits 5.0
Registrations 6 (30 max.)
Organisational unit
Language of instruction English
Course begins on 18.10.2021
eLearning Go to Moodle course

Time and place

Please note that the currently displayed dates may be subject to change due to COVID-19 measures.
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Course Information

Intended learning outcomes

During this course you will develop a broad understanding of critical urban theory. We will explore what 'urban' is, and how views on what 'urban' is have changed over time. You will gain familiarity with a range of perspectives on urban theory, from the core foundational approaches of the previous century, to the more recent perspectives on urbanism in an increasingly globalised world. Importantly, you will develop your ability to read and critically discuss academic papers, and be able to apply your gained knowledge to particular cities. 

Teaching methodology

This is predominantly a reading group class. This means that every week we will each have to read 1/2 texts before coming to class, so that we can discuss them during the class. 

The first week I will give a traditional lecture to provide an overview of some key themes in urban geography, but every week afterwards will be a group reading discussion. 

Course content

This will be updated in due course with the different readings for each week. However, the outline of topics is: 

The Chicago School foundations 

Marxism and urbanisation

Urban revolution

Global and world cities

Ordinary cities

Metabolic urbanism

Planetary urbanism

New urban theories

Prior knowledge expected

We start with some of the foundational texts in urban geography, so while urban/social geography knowledge would be beneficial, it is not necessary. 

Examination information

Im Fall von online durchgeführten Prüfungen sind die Standards zu beachten, die die technischen Geräte der Studierenden erfüllen müssen, um an diesen Prüfungen teilnehmen zu können.

Examination methodology

1) Pre-class synthesis of readings (30%)

2) In-class participation (40%)

3) Presentation (30%) 

Examination topic(s)

1) Before class every week you will need to read 1 or 2 papers on that weeks topic. You will then need to write a (1 page max) synthesis of the papers, highlighting what the main arguments were, what you (dis)agreed with, and identifying some areas that you would like to discuss further in class.

2) During class we will have a discussion about the papers you have read that week. We will discuss the key points that students raised in their syntheses. 

3) In the last class of the semester each student will need to give a presentation on a city of their choice, which explores some of the approaches to urban theory that we will have discussed. 

Assessment criteria / Standards of assessment for examinations

1) To achieve a pass in this aspect you will need to submit, on time, a synthesis with a good critical understanding of the readings, which demonstrates you have done the required readings. The better the understanding, the better the mark. This is weighted relatively high to encourage you to ensure you do the readings every week and understand them. If you do that it is easy marks. 

2) Grades here will be determined by your participation in class discussions.  In critical urban geography, there are not particularly right/wrong answers, rather different perspectives and examples that need to be discussed and explored. Therefore your grade is not how 'right' your answers are but how willing you are to discuss and develop your understanding of the literature. I know this can be daunting for some people but it is an excellent way of developing your knowledge, and it is very easy to get the best grade as all you need to do is participate!

3) This will be a normal 10/15 presentation on a city of your choice. You will explore what makes that city unique, how it has changed over time, and draw on some of the theories and concepts that we will discuss during the course. You will be graded on critical use of course concepts and literature, visual design of the presentation, and oral presentation.    

Grading scheme

Grade / Grade grading scheme

Position in the curriculum

  • Bachelor's degree programme Geography (SKZ: 655, Version: 17W.1)
    • Subject: BW4 Raumordnung und Regionalpolitik (Compulsory elective)
      • Prüfungsimmanente Lehrveranstaltungen ( 0.0h SE/PS / 6.0 ECTS)
        • 320.507 Critical Urban Geography (BW4, BW4 alt) (2.0h PS / 6.0 ECTS)
          Absolvierung im 3., 4., 5., 6. Semester empfohlen
  • Bachelor's degree programme Geography (SKZ: 655, Version: 20W.1)
    • Subject: BW4 Raumplanung und Stadtforschung (Compulsory elective)
      • Raumplanung und Stadtforschung ( 0.0h XX / 10.0 ECTS)
        • 320.507 Critical Urban Geography (BW4, BW4 alt) (2.0h PS / 5.0 ECTS)
          Absolvierung im 3., 4., 5., 6. Semester empfohlen
  • Bachelor's degree programme Geography (SKZ: 655, Version: 12W.2)
    • Subject: Raumordnung und Regionalpolitik (Compulsory elective)
      • Prüfungsimmanente Lehrveranstaltungen ( 0.0h SE/PS / 6.0 ECTS)
        • 320.507 Critical Urban Geography (BW4, BW4 alt) (2.0h PS / 5.0 ECTS)

Equivalent courses for counting the examination attempts

There is no equivalent course for the purpose of counting examination attempts.