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DRPS : Course Catalogue : School of Geosciences : Postgraduate Courses (School of GeoSciences)

Postgraduate Course: Encountering Cities (PGT) (PGGE11185)

Course Outline
SchoolSchool of Geosciences CollegeCollege of Science and Engineering
Credit level (Normal year taken)SCQF Level 11 (Postgraduate) 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 the 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 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
Entry Requirements (not applicable to Visiting Students)
Pre-requisites Co-requisites
Prohibited Combinations Other requirements None
Course Delivery Information
Not being delivered
Learning Outcomes
On completion of this course, the student will be able to:
  1. evaluate how different research methods, conceptual frameworks 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.

http://www.ed.ac.uk/institute-academic-development/learning-teaching/staff/inclusive/accessibility
Additional Information
Graduate Attributes and Skills Not entered
KeywordsNot entered
Contacts
Course organiserDr Daniel Swanton
Tel: (0131 6)50 8164
Email: dan.swanton@ed.ac.uk
Course secretaryMs Louisa King
Tel: (01316) 502306
Email: Louisa.King@ed.ac.uk
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