Students
GEOP1080 – Urban Planet: Cities and Planning in the Anthropocene
2021 – Session 1, Fully online/virtual
Notice
As part of Phase 3 of our return to campus plan, most units will now run tutorials, seminars and other small group activities on campus, and most will keep an online version available to those students unable to return or those who choose to continue their studies online.
To check the availability of face-to-face and online 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
Download as PDF
| Unit convenor and teaching staff |
Unit convenor and teaching staff
Unit convenor
Sara Fuller
25WWB, 453
Please email for an appointment
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|---|---|
| Credit points |
Credit points
10
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| Prerequisites |
Prerequisites
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| Corequisites |
Corequisites
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| Co-badged status |
Co-badged status
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| Unit description |
Unit description
The unit focuses on two big ideas: urbanisation and the Anthropocene – a proposed epoch in which humans are driving planetary change. For the first time in human history, over half of the world’s population live in cities. Urbanisation and the political, cultural and economic structures that sustain urban life are key drivers of global environmental change. The unit asks the question: how are we to imagine, plan and govern cities in the Anthropocene epoch? How are cities contributing to global environmental change and what solutions might cities offer? Key dimensions of urban and planning theory and practice are introduced, including: urban infrastructures and mobilities, social change and social justice, urban political economy and governance, and sustainability transitions. Students will apply theory and practice to case studies of Australian and international cities to explore the problems and possibilities of living on an urbanised planet. |
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 and describe historical and contemporary processes of urbanisation
- ULO2: Discuss the interconnections between cities, climate change and social justice
- ULO3: Explain how cites are imagined, planned and governed in theory and practice
- ULO4: Apply urban and planning theories to case studies of Australian and international cities
- ULO5: Communicate to diverse audiences using appropriately selected written, oral and visual means
General Assessment Information
Assignment requirements and submission
Detailed requirements and marking rubrics for each assessment are available from the iLearn site. All written assignments should be submitted online to Turnitin via the relevant links provided in iLearn. You are not required to submit a hardcopy of any assignments or include a cover sheet.
Assessment extensions and late penalties
Circumstances that affect your ability to complete assignments by the deadline must be discussed with the convenor (Sara) prior to the due date. Extensions will be granted only in unforeseen or exceptional circumstances according to the University Special Consideration policy. Students must apply online via AskMQ and provide appropriate supporting documentation (e.g. medical certificate).
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.
Assessment feedback
All feedback for assignments will be made available online.
Assessment Tasks
| Name | Weighting | Hurdle | Due |
|---|---|---|---|
| Logbook | 30% | No | Ongoing |
| Urban policy case study | 30% | No | Thursday 1st April 5pm |
| Cities, social justice and the Anthropocene essay | 40% | No | Monday 31st May 5pm |
Logbook
Assessment Type 1: Participatory task
Indicative Time on Task 2: 30 hours
Due: Ongoing
Weighting: 30%
Written reflections using a specified template based on readings of literature, policy and media reports
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Identify and describe historical and contemporary processes of urbanisation
- Discuss the interconnections between cities, climate change and social justice
- Explain how cites are imagined, planned and governed in theory and practice
- Communicate to diverse audiences using appropriately selected written, oral and visual means
Urban policy case study
Assessment Type 1: Poster
Indicative Time on Task 2: 30 hours
Due: Thursday 1st April 5pm
Weighting: 30%
A digital output exploring a specific urban policy/practice initiative in the context of a case study city
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Identify and describe historical and contemporary processes of urbanisation
- Discuss the interconnections between cities, climate change and social justice
- Explain how cites are imagined, planned and governed in theory and practice
- Apply urban and planning theories to case studies of Australian and international cities
Cities, social justice and the Anthropocene essay
Assessment Type 1: Essay
Indicative Time on Task 2: 40 hours
Due: Monday 31st May 5pm
Weighting: 40%
2000 word essay exploring the connections between cities and social justice in the context of the Anthropocene
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Identify and describe historical and contemporary processes of urbanisation
- Discuss the interconnections between cities, climate change and social justice
- Communicate to diverse audiences using appropriately selected written, oral and visual means
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
Classes
Pre-recorded lectures and supporting resources will be uploaded each week (by 9am on Mondays). Tutorials for online students are asynchronous and take place through weekly discussion forums. You should listen to the pre-recorded lecture, prior to making contributions to the discussion forums.
Reading
There are a range of journal articles and chapters that are required reading. These will be listed on iLearn and available via Leganto.
Technology used and required
All enrolled students have access to the GEOP1080 website via iLearn. iLearn will provide access to lectures (powerpoint presentations for download and recordings through the University's Echo lecture recording facility) as well as readings, links and forum discussions. Regular access to iLearn is required in order to complete the unit.
Unit Schedule
| Week | Date | Topic | Assessment |
| MODULE 1: Urban planet | |||
| 1 | 22nd Feb | Introducing cities in the Anthropocene | |
| 2 | 1st March | Just cities | |
| 3 | 8th March | Global cities | |
| 4 | 15th March | Everyday cities | |
| MODULE 2: Urban challenges | |||
| 5 | 22nd March | Urban resilience | |
| 6 | 29th March | Urban transitions | Urban policy case study |
| Learning and teaching break 5th-16th April | |||
| 7 | 19th April | Urban mobilities | |
| 8 | 26th April | Urban nature | |
| 9 | 3rd May | Urban regeneration | |
| MODULE 3: Urban futures | |||
| 10 | 10th May | Urban imaginaries | |
| 11 | 17th May | Smart cities | |
| 12 | 24th May | Sharing cities | |
| 13 | 31st May | Urban futures: towards climate justice | Cities, justice and the Anthropocene essay |
Policies and Procedures
Macquarie University policies and procedures are accessible from Policy Central (https://policies.mq.edu.au). Students should be aware of the following policies in particular with regard to Learning and Teaching:
- Academic Appeals Policy
- Academic Integrity Policy
- Academic Progression Policy
- Assessment Policy
- Fitness to Practice Procedure
- Grade Appeal Policy
- Complaint Management Procedure for Students and Members of the Public
- Special Consideration Policy
Students seeking more policy resources can visit Student Policies (https://students.mq.edu.au/support/study/policies). It is your one-stop-shop for the key policies you need to know about throughout your undergraduate student journey.
To find other policies relating to Teaching and Learning, visit Policy Central (https://policies.mq.edu.au) and use the search tool.
Student Code of Conduct
Macquarie University students have a responsibility to be familiar with the Student Code of Conduct: https://students.mq.edu.au/admin/other-resources/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 since First Published
| Date | Description |
|---|---|
| 09/02/2021 | Updated unit teaching staff |
Unit information based on version 2021.02 of the Handbook