Undergraduate Course: Encountering Cities (GEGR10102)
Course Outline
| School | School of Geosciences |
College | College of Science and Engineering |
| Credit level (Normal year taken) | SCQF Level 10 (Year 4 Undergraduate) |
Availability | Not available to visiting students |
| SCQF Credits | 20 |
ECTS Credits | 10 |
| Summary | This course explores the everyday geographies of cities through the concept of encounter. Questioning how we understand cities, the course introduces diverse theoretical approaches to the city and examines different modes of researching and representing cities. |
| Course description |
Using Urban examples as diverse as Bradford and Baghdad, the course is organised around lectures and discussions that address 3 key conceptual concerns: understanding the everyday sociality of cities (the spaces of encounter and mundane interaction that make up so much of urban life); grasping the emotional and affective life of cities (the embodied experiences of inhabiting and using urban spaces); and appreciating the urban materialities (the often overlooked things, technologies, natures, and infrastructure that are a part of every day life in cities). These conceptual concerns then form the basis for examining a series of important issues facing contemporary cities including; urban multiculture and living with difference; segregation and the sorting of bodies in cities; fear and the city; terrorism and wounded cities.
Course syllabus
Week 1: The everyday city
Week 2: Urban Materialities
Week 3: Urban Affects
Week 4: Everyday Edinburgh: Fieldwork
Week 5: Zines workshop
Week 6: Urban Multiculture: Bradford
Week 7: Hydraulic Cities: Mumbai
Week 8: City of Walls: Sao Paulo and Baghdad
Week 9: Haunted Cities: Berlin
Week 10: Urban Ruins: Detroit
Week 11: Wounded Cities: London
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Entry Requirements (not applicable to Visiting Students)
| Pre-requisites |
|
Co-requisites | |
| Prohibited Combinations | |
Other requirements | None |
Course Delivery Information
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| Academic year 2019/20, Not available to visiting students (SS1)
|
Quota: 45 |
| Course Start |
Semester 1 |
Timetable |
Timetable |
| Learning and Teaching activities (Further Info) |
Total Hours:
200
(
Lecture Hours 22,
Seminar/Tutorial Hours 22,
Programme Level Learning and Teaching Hours 4,
Directed Learning and Independent Learning Hours
152 )
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| Assessment (Further Info) |
Written Exam
0 %,
Coursework
100 %,
Practical Exam
0 %
|
| Additional Information (Assessment) |
Coursework: 100%
One 1000 word zine reflection (30%)
One 3000 word Essay (70%)
Assessment deadlines
Zine: 12 noon Thursday Week 7
Essay: 12 noon Thursday Week 12
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| Feedback |
During the course you can expect to receive prompt, informative and helpful feedback on your assignments and progress. Feedback will take a number of forms and will be given at different stages of the course.
You can expect:
detailed guidance on developing group project (formative assessment)
feedback on group work (staff and peer)
guidance and feedback in workshop on making a zine
written and pro-forma (tick box) feedback on zine reflection and degree essays
tutorial on assessment literacy to reflect on what makes a good essay
peer feedback on essay plans for degree essay
written feedback on essay plans and dedicated Q&A session on essay plan feedback
verbal feedback on assignments and progress during lectures and class discussion, as well as during office hours and by appointment
a designated feedback session feedback at the end of the course (the date, time and location will be announced closer to the date) |
| No Exam Information |
Learning Outcomes
On completion of this course, the student will be able to:
- evaluate how different research methods, conceptual frameworks and modes of representation shape how we know and understand cities
- demonstrate a critical understanding of key concepts including the everyday, encounters, emotions, and materiality
- employ a range of writing and analytical skills to identify and analyse complex issues facing contemporary cities with originality
- develop skills in working independently and collaboratively
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Reading List
Amin, A. and Thrift, N. (2002). Cities: Re-imagining the Urban. Cambridge: Polity Press.
de Certeau, M. (1984). ¿Walking in the City¿ in The Practice of Everyday Life. Berkeley: University of California Press. pp.91-110.
Hubbard, P. (2006) City. London: Routledge.
Latham, A., McCormack, D., McNamara, K., and McNeill, D. (2009). Key Concepts in Urban Geography. London: Sage.
Lefebvre, H. (1996). Writings on Cities. (Oxford: Blackwell).
Pile, S. (2005). Real Cities. London: Sage. |
Additional Information
| Graduate Attributes and Skills |
Not entered |
| Keywords | GEGR10102 |
Contacts
| Course organiser | Dr Daniel Swanton
Tel: (0131 6)50 8164
Email: dan.swanton@ed.ac.uk |
Course secretary | Miss Carry Arnold
Tel: (0131 6)50 9847
Email: Carry.Arnold@ed.ac.uk |
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