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Critical Urban Studies

Title
Critical Urban Studies
Semester
E2023
Master programme in
Nordic Urban Planning Studies
Type of activity

Course

Teaching language
English
Study regulation

Read about the Master Programme and find the Study Regulations at ruc.dk

REGISTRATION AND STUDY ADMINISTRATIVE
Registration

You register for activities through stads selvbetjening during the announced registration period, which you can see on the Study administration homepage.

When registering for courses, please be aware of the potential conflicts and overlaps between course and exam time and dates. The planning of course activities at Roskilde University is based on the recommended study programmes, which should not overlap. However, if you choose optional courses and/or study plans that goes beyond the recommended study programmes, an overlap of lectures or exam dates may occur depending on which courses you choose.

Number of participants
ECTS
5
Responsible for the activity
David Pinder (dpinder@ruc.dk)
Head of study
Lasse Martin Koefoed (lmartin@ruc.dk)
Teachers
Study administration
IMT Registration & Exams (imt-exams@ruc.dk)
Exam code(s)
U60322
ACADEMIC CONTENT
Overall objective

This course aims to provide strong foundations for critical urban studies and related debates in planning. It does so by addressing key theoretical approaches to urbanisation and urban life, and by exploring their significance for understanding and intervening in contemporary urban processes. At a time of intensifying urbanisation and acute urban crises on a global scale, there is a need to understand and develop further critical perspectives on the social, economic, political and cultural processes through which urban spaces are made and hence might be remade. The course starts with an introduction to critical urban studies in a global context. This is followed by lectures that address different influential theoretical perspectives and approaches to cities and urbanisation as they have developed over recent decades. The course draws out the distinctive qualities of these approaches while also considering their interconnections, not only in how they interpret and analyse urban worlds but also in how they seek to change them.

Case studies and examples are used throughout the course, and students are encouraged to relate ideas, concepts and theories to their own exploration of research questions related to urban spaces and their current project work.

Detailed description of content

This course aims to provide strong foundations for critical urban studies and related debates in planning. It does so by addressing key theoretical approaches to urbanization and urban life, and by exploring their significance for understanding and intervening in contemporary urban processes. At a time of intensifying urbanisation and acute urban crises on a global scale, there is a need to understand and develop further critical perspectives on the social, economic, political and cultural processes through which urban spaces are made and hence might be remade.

The course starts with an introduction to critical urban studies in a global context. This is followed by lectures that address different influential theoretical perspectives and approaches to cities and urbanization as they have developed over recent decades. The course draws out the distinctive qualities of these approaches while also considering their interconnections, not only in how they interpret and analyse urban worlds but also in how they seek to change them. Case studies and examples are used throughout the course, and students are encouraged to relate ideas, concepts and theories to their own exploration of research questions related to urban spaces and their current project work.

The introduction to the course outlines the importance of urban theory for planning studies and practice, and for developing reflexive and informed positions in the field. The following sessions introduce and discuss prominent critical approaches to urban theory from the last five decades that include those rooted in Marxism, feminism and postcolonialism as well as around theories of practice and materiality. In the process, participants explore the implications of these different perspectives for addressing urban processes and problems, and for planning efforts to make urbanisation and urban life more just, equitable and democratic.

Course material and Reading list

Readings for each session are provided on Moodle before the start of the course. The following texts are relevant to the course as a whole:

Brenner, N., Marcuse, P. and Mayer, M. (eds) (2012) Cities for People, Not for Profit. London, Routledge.

Koch, R. and Lathan, A. (eds) (2017) Key Thinkers on Cities. London, Sage.

Jonas, A. McCann, E., and Thomas, M. (eds) (2015) Urban Geography: A Critical Introduction. Oxford, Wiley.

Overall plan and expected work effort

Study intensity

5 ECTS =135 hours of study. The proposed distribution is: 24 hours for lectures; 80 hours for preparing for lectures and drafting texts for class discussion and portfolio (average of 10 hours per session); 31 hours for further writing up portfolio for submission.

Teaching and learning activities

There are eight course sessions. These combine lectures with class discussions based around readings and lecture materials. Further details will be discussed with participants at the start of the course and uploaded to Moodle.

Format

Sessions are on campus.

Evaluation and feedback

Evaluation is via an anonymous online survey distributed to all participants. The course will also be discussed with participants in the final session and reviewed at the NUPS Education Committee with input from student representatives.

Programme

Dates for eight sessions to be added. Also date of portfolio submission after the last lecture.

ASSESSMENT
Overall learning outcomes

On completing the course, students should be able to:

  • Understand how economic, political, social and cultural processes create urban spaces and places

  • Understand how space and place matter for the constitution and planning of urban space and life

  • Identify, discuss, apply and work with advanced urban theories and concepts in relation to specific urban questions and cases

  • Understand and reflect on the implications of different approaches and theories for analysing urban issues, and for developing potential planning interventions and/or solutions

  • Formulate relevant problem statements and research questions, and to develop appropriate interdisciplinary ways of analysing and communicating them.

Form of examination
Individual portfolio exam

The character limit of the portfolio is 16,800-24,000 characters, including spaces. Examples of written products are exercise responses, talking points for presentations, written feedback, reflections, written assignments. The preparation of the products may be subject to time limits.
The character limits include the cover, table of contents, bibliography, figures and other illustrations, but exclude any appendices.

The portfolio is written partially during the course.

The entire portfolio must be handed in at the same time.

Assessment: 7-point grading scale.
Form of Re-examination
Samme som ordinær eksamen / same form as ordinary exam
Type of examination in special cases
Examination and assessment criteria

Type of exam: The assignment is a portfolio with a total length of between 16,800 and 24,000 characters, including spaces. The character limits include the cover, table of contents, bibliography, figures and other illustrations. The portfolio is written partially during the course and the entire portfolio must be handed in at the same time. Details of the portfolio requirements will be set out on Moodle at the start of the course. Assessment: 7 point grading scale.

Exam code(s)
Exam code(s) : U60322
Last changed 03/05/2023

lecture list:

Show lessons for Subclass: 1 Find calendar (1) PDF for print (1)

Thursday 07-09-2023 08:15 - 07-09-2023 12:00 in week 36
Critical Urban Studies (NUPS)

Tuesday 12-09-2023 08:15 - 12-09-2023 14:00 in week 37
Critical Urban Studies (NUPS)

Tuesday 19-09-2023 08:15 - 19-09-2023 12:00 in week 38
Critical Urban Studies (NUPS)

Tuesday 03-10-2023 08:15 - 03-10-2023 12:00 in week 40
Critical Urban Studies (NUPS)

Tuesday 10-10-2023 08:15 - 10-10-2023 12:00 in week 41
Critical Urban Studies (NUPS)

Tuesday 17-10-2023 08:15 - 17-10-2023 12:00 in week 42
Critical Urban Studies (NUPS)

Tuesday 24-10-2023 08:15 - 24-10-2023 12:00 in week 43
Critical Urban Studies (NUPS)

Tuesday 31-10-2023 08:15 - 31-10-2023 12:00 in week 44
Critical Urban Studies (NUPS)

Tuesday 14-11-2023 10:00 - 14-11-2023 10:00 in week 46
Critical Urban Studies - Hand-in (NUPS)

Monday 05-02-2024 10:00 - 05-02-2024 10:00 in week 06
Critical Urban Studies - Reexam - Hand-in (NUPS)