PDF for print
Find calendar
| Title |
Critical Urban Studies
|
| Semester |
E2025
|
| Master programme in |
Nordic Urban Planning Studies
|
| Type of activity |
Course |
| Mandatory or elective |
Mandatory |
| 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 |
Tatiana Fogelman (fogelman@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 |
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 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 14 days before each teaching session. 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 |
|
| ASSESSMENT | |
| Overall learning outcomes |
On completing the course, students should be able to:
|
| Prerequisites |
|
| 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 appendices. The portfolio is written completely or partially during the course. The entire portfolio must be handed in at the same time. Assessment: 7-point grading scale |
| Form of Re-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 appendices. The portfolio is written after the course has ended. The entire portfolio must be handed in at the same time. Assessment: 7-point grading scale |
| Type of examination in special cases |
|
| Examination and assessment criteria (implemented) |
The total length of the portfolio must be between 16,800 and 24,000 characters, including spaces, cover, bibliography and figures. It must engage with readings from appropriate course literature and should be submitted as a single document by the published deadline. The portfolio consists of two individual writing exercises (of around 4-6,000 characters each) based on readings for the course that should be drafted during the course, and an individual short essay (of around 9-14,000 characters) that should be completed once it ends. Further instructions about these components will be set out on Moodle at the start of the course. The portfolio will be evaluated according to the ability to: • Outline and evaluate the significance of key theoretical approaches and concepts for analysing urban questions and planning issues. • Identify, apply and work with relevant urban theories and concepts in relation to a specific self-defined question or case. • Reflect on and critically evaluate the implications of using these theories and approaches for analysing urban planning issues, including (if relevant) for developing potential planning interventions and/or solutions. • Construct coherent and structured arguments, based on relevant course materials and appropriate academic language. |
| Exam code(s) | |
| Last changed | 09/09/2025 |
Find calendar (1)
PDF for print (1)