Introductory description

This module will discuss critical theoretical and empirical perspectives on urban studies. Cities provide important contexts for thinking about the relationships between social processes and spatial forms, as dynamic sites of social inequalities, complex social relations, and socioeconomic change. Globalisation, neoliberalism and immigration are all big social processes affecting and shaping cities and their residents’ everyday lives.

Module aims

Outline syllabus

This is an indicative module outline only to give an indication of the sort of topics that may be covered. Actual sessions held may differ.

Week 1: Introduction: World cities, global cities
Week 2: The modern city and its discontents
Week 3: The right to the city
Week 4: Ghettos, enclaves, and marginality
Week 5: Public space
Week 6: UG Reading week; PGT excursion: Psychogeography and walking the city
Week 7: Gentrification and displacement
Week 8: Divided cities
Week 9: Mixed cities
Week 10: Urban uprisings and social movements

Learning outcomes

By the end of the module, students should be able to:

• (1) To demonstrate advanced understanding of key perspectives and issues on the sociology of cities and urban life, and the ability to link theory with practice in social research.(2) To develop students’ research skills in urban studies, including desk-based research and cultural analysis. (3) To develop students’ ability to work independently and critically on urban research projects.

Indicative reading list

Reading lists can be found in Talis

Specific reading list for the module

Research element

UG students will conduct a small-scale urban ethnography research project on public transportation. Based on "bus ride activity" in Coventry or another urban centre. To be submitted in written form, 500-words on top of included route map.

Subject specific skills

Descriptor for a higher education qualification at level 6 on the FHEQ:
students who have demonstrated:
a systematic understanding of key aspects of their field of study, including acquisition of coherent and detailed knowledge, at least some of which is at, or informed by, the forefront of defined aspects of a discipline
an ability to deploy accurately established techniques of analysis and enquiry within a discipline
conceptual understanding that enables the student:

• • to devise and sustain arguments, and/or to solve problems, using ideas and
    techniques, some of which are at the forefront of a discipline
• • to describe and comment upon particular aspects of current research, or
    equivalent advanced scholarship, in the discipline
    an appreciation of the uncertainty, ambiguity and limits of knowledge
    the ability to manage their own learning, and to make use of scholarly reviews and primary sources (for example, refereed research articles and/or original materials appropriate to the discipline).

Transferable skills

Typically, holders of the qualification will be able to:
apply the methods and techniques that they have learned to review, consolidate, extend and apply their knowledge and understanding, and to initiate and carry out projects
critically evaluate arguments, assumptions, abstract concepts and data (that may be incomplete), to make judgements, and to frame appropriate questions to achieve a solution - or identify a range of solutions - to a problem
communicate information, ideas, problems and solutions to both specialist and non-specialist audiences.
And holders will have:
the qualities and transferable skills necessary for employment requiring:

• • the exercise of initiative and personal responsibility
• • decision-making in complex and unpredictable contexts
• • the learning ability needed to undertake appropriate further training of a
    professional or equivalent nature.