Unit name | Urbanisation and Global Development |
---|---|
Unit code | GEOGM0018 |
Credit points | 20 |
Level of study | M/7 |
Teaching block(s) |
Teaching Block 2 (weeks 13 - 24) |
Unit director | Dr. Fox |
Open unit status | Not open |
Pre-requisites |
N/A |
Co-requisites |
N/A |
School/department | School of Geographical Sciences |
Faculty | Faculty of Science |
The urbanisation of the human population represents one of the most profound global shifts in human geography in our history. In this course we will explore the origins world urbanisation as well as its socioeconomic, political and environmental consequences at local, regional and global scales. We will investigate the ways in which cities create wealth and concentrate poverty, stimulate progressive political action as well as violence, and help us to overcome environmental insecurity while at the same time generating new environmental vulnerabilities. Finally, we will examine the increasingly pivotal role that urban governments (and urban citizens) play in advancing global development objectives. Along the way, students will be introduced to key concepts, theories and debates in the fields of demography, economic geography, political science, public health, sociology and urban studies.
Lecture/Seminar with structured discussion and debate.
30% - Student presentations and topic briefs. Students will work in pairs to develop a short presentation and guided discussion on one of the topics covered in the course (one group presentation per week) and draw on case study material. This will be accompanied by a short (2-page) briefing note to be circulated among classmates.
70% - Essay assignment (4000 words).
Beall, J. and S. Fox (2009) Cities and Development, London: Routledge.
Glaeser, E. (2011) Triumph of the City: How Urban Spaces Make Us Human, London: Pan Macmillan.
Storper, M. (2013) Keys to the City: How Economics, Institutions, Social Interaction, and Politics Shape Development, Princeton University Press.
World Bank (2013) Global Monitoring Report 2013: Rural-Urban Dynamics and the Millennium Development Goals, Washington D.C.: The World Bank.