GY439 Half Unit
Cities, Politics and Citizenship
This information is for the 2022/23 session.
Teacher responsible
Dr Murray Low STC.S.512
Availability
This course is available on the MSc in City Design and Social Science, MSc in Culture and Society, MSc in Environment and Development, MSc in Environmental Policy, Technology and Health (Environment and Development) (LSE and Peking University), MSc in Human Geography and Urban Studies (Research), MSc in Regional And Urban Planning Studies, MSc in Urban Policy (LSE and Sciences Po) and MSc in Urbanisation and Development. This course is available with permission as an outside option to students on other programmes where regulations permit.
Course content
Perspectives on contemporary urban politics. The course will equip students interested in urban change and development to understand and critically assess the variety of ways in which urban politics and policies are imagined and discussed in universities as well as in the world of policy. It will also develop their understandings of key debates and themes in contemporary urban political life.
Topics covered will include: imagining urban politics; theories of urban politics, 'globalisation' and urban political life; urban governance; civil society and urban social movements; urban dimensions of citizenship and migration; policing, violence and urban politics; urban politics and ‘neoliberalism.’
Teaching
In the Department of Geography and Environment, teaching will be delivered through a combination of classes/seminars, pre-recorded lectures, live online lectures, in-person lectures and other supplementary interactive live activities.
This course is delivered through interactive seminars across Lent Term
This course includes a reading week in Week 6 of Lent Term
Formative coursework
Students will be expected to produce 1 piece of coursework in the LT.
Indicative reading
J Borja and M Castell, Local and Global, 1997; J Davies and D
Imbroscio, eds., Theories of Urban Politics (2nd Edition), 2009; M
Douglass and J Friedmann, eds., Cities for Citizens, 1998; D Judge, G
Stoker and H Wolman, eds, Theories of Urban Politics, 1995; P Le Galegrave;s,
European Cities, 2002; L Sandercock, Towards Cosmopolis, 1998; S. Sassen
Territory, Authority, Rights, 2006; M P Smith, Translocal Urbanism,
2001.
Assessment
Take-home assessment (100%) in the ST.
Student performance results
(2018/19 - 2020/21 combined)
| Classification | % of students |
|---|---|
| Distinction | 33.3 |
| Merit | 55.6 |
| Pass | 8.3 |
| Fail | 2.8 |
Key facts
Department: Geography and Environment
Total students 2021/22: 12
Average class size 2021/22: 11
Controlled access 2021/22: Yes
Value: Half Unit
Course selection videos
Some departments have produced short videos to introduce their courses. Please refer to the course selection videos index page for further information.
Personal development skills
- Self-management
- Team working
- Problem solving
- Communication
