THE UNIVERSITY of EDINBURGH

DEGREE REGULATIONS & PROGRAMMES OF STUDY 2022/2023

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DRPS : Course Catalogue : School of Geosciences : Geography

Undergraduate Course: Encountering Cities (GEGR10102)

Course Outline
SchoolSchool of Geosciences CollegeCollege of Science and Engineering
Credit level (Normal year taken)SCQF Level 10 (Year 4 Undergraduate) AvailabilityNot available to visiting students
SCQF Credits20 ECTS Credits10
SummaryThis 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 urban materialities (the often overlooked things, technologies, natures, and infrastructure that are a part of everyday life in cities). These conceptual concerns then form the basis for examining a series of important issues facing contemporary cities that include: how we live with difference in cities; how water infrastructures produce inequality; how walls freeze conflict into urban landscapes; how we deal with ghosts and social injustice through urban memory-work; and how urban ruins offer particular insights into the post-industrial city.

Course syllabus
Week 1: The everyday city
Week 2: Urban Materialities
Week 3: Urban Affects
Week 4: Fieldwork and zine workshop
Week 5: Zine 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 Essay Workshop
Entry Requirements (not applicable to Visiting Students)
Pre-requisites Co-requisites
Prohibited Combinations Other requirements None
Course Delivery Information
Academic year 2022/23, Not available to visiting students (SS1) Quota:  42
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 )
Assessment (Further Info) Written Exam 0 %, Coursework 100 %, Practical Exam 0 %
Additional Information (Assessment) Coursework: 100%
One 1,000 word zine reflection (30%)
One 3,000 word Essay (70%)

Assessment deadlines
Zine: Week 6
Essay: Week 12 (=mid-April)
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:
  1. evaluate how different theoretical frameworks, research methods, and modes of representation shape how we know and understand cities
  2. demonstrate a critical understanding of key concepts including the everyday, encounters, emotions, and materiality
  3. employ a range of writing and analytical skills to identify and analyse complex issues facing contemporary cities with originality
  4. develop skills in working independently and collaboratively
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
KeywordsGEGR10102
Contacts
Course organiserDr Daniel Swanton
Tel: (0131 6)50 8164
Email: dan.swanton@ed.ac.uk
Course secretaryMiss Beatrice Iba
Tel: (0131 6)51 4517
Email: Beatrice.Iba@ed.ac.uk
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