Students

SOCI3030 – Global Cities

2020 – Session 2, Infrequent attendance, North Ryde

Notice

As part of Phase 3 of our return to campus plan, most units will now run tutorials, seminars and other small group learning activities on campus for the second half-year, while keeping an online version available for those students unable to return or those who choose to continue their studies online.

To check the availability of face to face activities for your unit, please go to timetable viewer. To check detailed information on unit assessments visit your unit's iLearn space or consult your unit convenor.

General Information

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Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit convenor and teaching staff
Justine Lloyd
Credit points Credit points
10
Prerequisites Prerequisites
130cp at 1000 level or above
Corequisites Corequisites
Co-badged status Co-badged status
Unit description Unit description

Sydney is one of the world's most diverse and globalised cities. In this unit you will be introduced to both the classical sociological literature on the urban way of life and more recent critiques of the global metropolis. We will then explore the burgeoning literature on globalisation and cities through a class-based primary research project. This project will be designed in consultation with a Sydney-based organisation or community group. These projects will be led by the Sociology department staff with expertise in many of the most important and pressing questions in contemporary society: for example, inequality, multi-culturalism, housing, mobility, social movements & social change. You will conduct research in a team led by a staff member, but your contributions to the project will be individually assessed. Over the semester, you will gain practical skills in research methods and will contribute to a project with 'real-world' outcomes. You will be involved in all phases of a research project: scoping and planning, conducting a literature review, preparing a research proposal, ethical conduct of research, and presentation of results to partners and peers.

Important Academic Dates

Information about important academic dates including deadlines for withdrawing from units are available at https://www.mq.edu.au/study/calendar-of-dates

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:

  • ULO1: identify the approaches to metropolitan life associated with classical social theorists and the urban ethnographic tradition it established; as well as recent developments in urban studies
  • ULO2: observe and reflect upon urban practices, through classroom learning, group research exercises and independent reading/study complemented by field trips
  • ULO3: reflect upon the realities of global urban living that they regularly confront, and evaluate the tools of analysis that may best enable them to critically evaluate these processes. (NB: This will include epistemological reflection upon how we might best ‘know’ contemporary cities and how we might best record urban experience);
  • ULO4: diagnose the elements of global cities as involving both cultural meanings (symbols, images, values) and urban infrastructure (housing, public space, transport, collective goods such as education, etc); and to be able to see how ‘urban experience’ is shaped by these two sets of factors;
  • ULO5: demonstrate a level of research, reflection and writing appropriate for a third-year sociology student, and explore topics in urban sociology they could pursue in more advanced levels of study.

Assessment Tasks

Name Weighting Hurdle Due
Seminar Participation 20% No Ongoing
Field Assignment 20% Yes Week 4
Work-in-progress Presentation 20% No Week 10
Urban Research Project 40% No Week 13

Seminar Participation

Assessment Type 1: Participatory task
Indicative Time on Task 2: 20 hours
Due: Ongoing
Weighting: 20%

 

Participation in weekly synchronous online video seminars and/or asynchronous discussion online boards.

 


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • identify the approaches to metropolitan life associated with classical social theorists and the urban ethnographic tradition it established; as well as recent developments in urban studies
  • observe and reflect upon urban practices, through classroom learning, group research exercises and independent reading/study complemented by field trips
  • reflect upon the realities of global urban living that they regularly confront, and evaluate the tools of analysis that may best enable them to critically evaluate these processes. (NB: This will include epistemological reflection upon how we might best ‘know’ contemporary cities and how we might best record urban experience);
  • diagnose the elements of global cities as involving both cultural meanings (symbols, images, values) and urban infrastructure (housing, public space, transport, collective goods such as education, etc); and to be able to see how ‘urban experience’ is shaped by these two sets of factors;
  • demonstrate a level of research, reflection and writing appropriate for a third-year sociology student, and explore topics in urban sociology they could pursue in more advanced levels of study.

Field Assignment

Assessment Type 1: Field work task
Indicative Time on Task 2: 10 hours
Due: Week 4
Weighting: 20%
This is a hurdle assessment task (see assessment policy for more information on hurdle assessment tasks)

 

Self-directed task to observe an urban setting.

 


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • identify the approaches to metropolitan life associated with classical social theorists and the urban ethnographic tradition it established; as well as recent developments in urban studies
  • observe and reflect upon urban practices, through classroom learning, group research exercises and independent reading/study complemented by field trips
  • reflect upon the realities of global urban living that they regularly confront, and evaluate the tools of analysis that may best enable them to critically evaluate these processes. (NB: This will include epistemological reflection upon how we might best ‘know’ contemporary cities and how we might best record urban experience);
  • diagnose the elements of global cities as involving both cultural meanings (symbols, images, values) and urban infrastructure (housing, public space, transport, collective goods such as education, etc); and to be able to see how ‘urban experience’ is shaped by these two sets of factors;
  • demonstrate a level of research, reflection and writing appropriate for a third-year sociology student, and explore topics in urban sociology they could pursue in more advanced levels of study.

Work-in-progress Presentation

Assessment Type 1: Presentation
Indicative Time on Task 2: 10 hours
Due: Week 10
Weighting: 20%

 

Brief presentation (5-10mins) on individual progress towards Urban Research Project.

 


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • identify the approaches to metropolitan life associated with classical social theorists and the urban ethnographic tradition it established; as well as recent developments in urban studies
  • observe and reflect upon urban practices, through classroom learning, group research exercises and independent reading/study complemented by field trips
  • reflect upon the realities of global urban living that they regularly confront, and evaluate the tools of analysis that may best enable them to critically evaluate these processes. (NB: This will include epistemological reflection upon how we might best ‘know’ contemporary cities and how we might best record urban experience);
  • diagnose the elements of global cities as involving both cultural meanings (symbols, images, values) and urban infrastructure (housing, public space, transport, collective goods such as education, etc); and to be able to see how ‘urban experience’ is shaped by these two sets of factors;
  • demonstrate a level of research, reflection and writing appropriate for a third-year sociology student, and explore topics in urban sociology they could pursue in more advanced levels of study.

Urban Research Project

Assessment Type 1: Project
Indicative Time on Task 2: 40 hours
Due: Week 13
Weighting: 40%

 

Major project in response to discrete research tasks discussed and modelled in weekly seminars.

 


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • identify the approaches to metropolitan life associated with classical social theorists and the urban ethnographic tradition it established; as well as recent developments in urban studies
  • observe and reflect upon urban practices, through classroom learning, group research exercises and independent reading/study complemented by field trips
  • reflect upon the realities of global urban living that they regularly confront, and evaluate the tools of analysis that may best enable them to critically evaluate these processes. (NB: This will include epistemological reflection upon how we might best ‘know’ contemporary cities and how we might best record urban experience);
  • diagnose the elements of global cities as involving both cultural meanings (symbols, images, values) and urban infrastructure (housing, public space, transport, collective goods such as education, etc); and to be able to see how ‘urban experience’ is shaped by these two sets of factors;
  • demonstrate a level of research, reflection and writing appropriate for a third-year sociology student, and explore topics in urban sociology they could pursue in more advanced levels of study.

1 If you need help with your assignment, please contact:

  • the academic teaching staff in your unit for guidance in understanding or completing this type of assessment
  • the Writing Centre for academic skills support.

2 Indicative time-on-task is an estimate of the time required for completion of the assessment task and is subject to individual variation

Delivery and Resources

Participation in weekly discussions via either live video conferencing or posts to discussion boards is compulsory, and forms the basis of your participation mark.

Each discussion will close off one week after the on-campus class.

Essential resources include:

• Unit readings hosted on the library's reading repository (Leganto).

Technologies used and required:

Internet access --

• All detailed unit information will be provided and communication will take place on the unit home page on ilearn.

• Completion of the major assignment will require access to publicly available databases.

NB: Lecture segments will be recorded but because this class is run in seminar format, on-campus group discussion and field trips will not be accessible as audio recordings.

Unit Schedule

Week

Seminar topic

Activity

Week 1:

Introduction to unit and study of the global city

Introductions*

Week 2:

Classical and Modern Social Theories of The City

Reading discussion*

Posting and discussion of 'mental maps'* 

Week 3:

Chicago and the Emergence of Urban Ethnography

Reading discussion*

BRIEFING FOR FIELD ASSIGNMENT^

Week 4:

Urban Ethnography of Sydney

Reading discussion*

Week 5:

The Global City

Reading discussion*

Week 6:

Doing research in the city: Focus: Research Ethics

Reading discussion*

Exercise: Research ethics*

Students identify their research sub-topic for Urban Research Projects*

 

Week 7:

Doing research in the city: Focus: Interview method

Reading discussion*

Exercise: Interview practice*

Topics finalised for Urban Research Projects*

 

Semester Break

 

Week 8:

The Sociology of the Built Environment

Reading Discussion*

Week 9:

NO CLASS: NSW Public Holiday for Labour Day: Monday 5 October

 

Week 10:

Work-in progress individual presentations

PRESENTING AND RESPONDING AS A DISCUSSANT TO PRESENTATION/S^

Week 11:

The Neo-Liberal City and Gentrification

Reading discussion*

Week 12:

Independent study: individual project

Posting commentary on a research finding*

 

Optional consultations with the lecturer during advertised consultation times.

Week 13:

 Course Review & Focus: Report writing

Posting the draft abstract of your report*

*denotes online activity to be conducted via Ilearn discussion forum

^DENOTES ONLINE ACTIVITY TO BE CONDUCTED VIA VIDEO CONFERENCING DURING ON-CAMPUS CLASS TIME (MONDAY 11AM-1PM)

Policies and Procedures

Macquarie University policies and procedures are accessible from Policy Central (https://staff.mq.edu.au/work/strategy-planning-and-governance/university-policies-and-procedures/policy-central). Students should be aware of the following policies in particular with regard to Learning and Teaching:

Students seeking more policy resources can visit the Student Policy Gateway (https://students.mq.edu.au/support/study/student-policy-gateway). It is your one-stop-shop for the key policies you need to know about throughout your undergraduate student journey.

If you would like to see all the policies relevant to Learning and Teaching visit Policy Central (https://staff.mq.edu.au/work/strategy-planning-and-governance/university-policies-and-procedures/policy-central).

Student Code of Conduct

Macquarie University students have a responsibility to be familiar with the Student Code of Conduct: https://students.mq.edu.au/study/getting-started/student-conduct​

Results

Results published on platform other than eStudent, (eg. iLearn, Coursera etc.) or released directly by your Unit Convenor, are not confirmed as they are subject to final approval by the University. Once approved, final results will be sent to your student email address and will be made available in eStudent. For more information visit ask.mq.edu.au or if you are a Global MBA student contact globalmba.support@mq.edu.au

Student Support

Macquarie University provides a range of support services for students. For details, visit http://students.mq.edu.au/support/

Learning Skills

Learning Skills (mq.edu.au/learningskills) provides academic writing resources and study strategies to help you improve your marks and take control of your study.

The Library provides online and face to face support to help you find and use relevant information resources. 

Student Services and Support

Students with a disability are encouraged to contact the Disability Service who can provide appropriate help with any issues that arise during their studies.

Student Enquiries

For all student enquiries, visit Student Connect at ask.mq.edu.au

If you are a Global MBA student contact globalmba.support@mq.edu.au

IT Help

For help with University computer systems and technology, visit http://www.mq.edu.au/about_us/offices_and_units/information_technology/help/

When using the University's IT, you must adhere to the Acceptable Use of IT Resources Policy. The policy applies to all who connect to the MQ network including students.

Changes from Previous Offering

Revised assignments, readings and activities based on student feedback and need to adapt to restrictions on physical gatherings in response to COVID-19.

Late Penalties

Faculty of Arts Penalty Policy applies in this unit:

Unless a Special Consideration request has been submitted and approved, (a) a penalty for lateness will apply – two (2) marks out of 100 will be deducted per day for assignments submitted after the due date – and (b) no assignment will be accepted more than seven (7) days (incl. weekends) after the original submission deadline. No late submissions will be accepted for timed assessments – e.g. quizzes, online tests.