Students

GEOP2040 – Cities of the Global South

2021 – Session 2, Special circumstances

Session 2 Learning and Teaching Update

The decision has been made to conduct study online for the remainder of Session 2 for all units WITHOUT mandatory on-campus learning activities. Exams for Session 2 will also be online where possible to do so.

This is due to the extension of the lockdown orders and to provide certainty around arrangements for the remainder of Session 2. We hope to return to campus beyond Session 2 as soon as it is safe and appropriate to do so.

Some classes/teaching activities cannot be moved online and must be taught on campus. You should already know if you are in one of these classes/teaching activities and your unit convenor will provide you with more information via iLearn. If you want to confirm, see the list of units with mandatory on-campus classes/teaching activities.

Visit the MQ COVID-19 information page for more detail.

General Information

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Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit convenor and teaching staff Convenor
Andrew McGregor
Contact via iLearn
Lecturer
Sara Fuller
Credit points Credit points
10
Prerequisites Prerequisites
40cp at 1000 level or above
Corequisites Corequisites
Co-badged status Co-badged status
Unit description Unit description

This unit provides a geographical perspective on development issues facing cities of the global South. A series of case studies are drawn upon, particularly from the Asia Pacific region, to highlight key social, economic, political and environmental issues, how they are being addressed and hopeful ways forward. The unit is structured around five themes, each providing a different viewpoint on cities and development. First, the unit introduces the concept of the global South and key urban development theories. It then explores how shared histories of colonialism and post-colonial development have shaped cities in the global South. Section three explores life in the city, looking at how people make a living, housing challenges, informality, mobility, and inequality. Section four concentrates upon environmental issues, the sustainable development goals, and how cities are entangled in processes of social and ecological change. Finally the unit reviews a range of policy interventions and considers the role of different actors in responding to development challenges and pursuing more just and resilient urban futures. Throughout the unit students will have the opportunity to focus in on a particular city of their choice and develop a deep understanding its past, present and future.

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: Investigate development issues in cities of the global South by synthesising information from a variety of written sources
  • ULO2: Critically assess the concept of development and the 'global South'
  • ULO3: Identify common social, economic, political and environmental issues facing cities in the global South.
  • ULO4: Describe and explain key initiatives oriented at improving urban life in the global South
  • ULO5: Discuss development issues facing cities in the global South in a variety of spoken and written forms

General Assessment Information

Unless a Special Consideration request has been submitted and approved, (a) a penalty for lateness will apply – 10 marks out of 100 credit will be deducted per day for assignments submitted after the due date – and (b) no assignment will be accepted seven days (incl. weekends) after the original submission deadline.  No late submissions will be accepted for timed assessments – e.g. quizzes, online tests. The criteria and standards for each assignment will be made available via iLearn.

Assessment Tasks

Name Weighting Hurdle Due
City analysis 30% No 23:59 3/09/2021
Urban Development Challenge 40% No 23:59 8/10/2021 and 23:59 25/10/2021
Team based learning quiz 30% No Week 3, 7, 10

City analysis

Assessment Type 1: Essay
Indicative Time on Task 2: 30 hours
Due: 23:59 3/09/2021
Weighting: 30%

 

The city analysis requires students to analyse a city in the global south, tracing its history, geography, development challenges and future. 1500 words

 


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Investigate development issues in cities of the global South by synthesising information from a variety of written sources
  • Critically assess the concept of development and the 'global South'
  • Identify common social, economic, political and environmental issues facing cities in the global South.
  • Describe and explain key initiatives oriented at improving urban life in the global South
  • Discuss development issues facing cities in the global South in a variety of spoken and written forms

Urban Development Challenge

Assessment Type 1: Presentation
Indicative Time on Task 2: 40 hours
Due: 23:59 8/10/2021 and 23:59 25/10/2021
Weighting: 40%

 

Students will be required to develop a public consultation document, consult with peers, and make a presentation that addresses a development challenge in a city of their choice. Tutorials will be focused on building skills to research the development challenge, present data in online and verbal formats and consult with peers.

 


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Investigate development issues in cities of the global South by synthesising information from a variety of written sources
  • Identify common social, economic, political and environmental issues facing cities in the global South.
  • Describe and explain key initiatives oriented at improving urban life in the global South
  • Discuss development issues facing cities in the global South in a variety of spoken and written forms

Team based learning quiz

Assessment Type 1: Quiz/Test
Indicative Time on Task 2: 18 hours
Due: Week 3, 7, 10
Weighting: 30%

 

Three team based learning multiple choice quizzes will take place that test student learning and build communication skills.

 


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Critically assess the concept of development and the 'global South'
  • Identify common social, economic, political and environmental issues facing cities in the global South.
  • Discuss development issues facing cities in the global South in a variety of spoken and written forms

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

Each week you are expected to:

1. Complete the recorded lectures and any associated online material and activities posted that week.  

2. Complete assigned readings available on Leganto

3. Participate in fortnightly learning events where readings will be discussed and activities conducted that build knowledge and skills.  

You are required to complete all assessment exercises.

GEOP2040 uses a wide variety of online resources, including an iLearn page where slides and audio from lectures will be posted and discussion forums will be used, the Macquarie University Library for access to peer reviewed journal articles accessed via Leganto, and the web generally for news about, and discussions of, cities in the Global South.  You will be required to have access to digital technology and access to iLearn to complete and submit assignments.  The unit will assist you in building skills using Adobe products for assignments.

Unit Schedule

Week

Topic

Learning events

Assessment

Module 1: Urban theory and development in the Global South

1

Introduction: Cities of the Global South (AM)

 

 

2

Cities in development theory (AM)

Learning event 1

 

3

City histories: from colonialism to globalisation (AM)

 

Team Based Learning Task 1

4

Urbanism in the Global South (SF)

Learning event 2

 

Module 2: Urban planning and development issues

5

Mobility and urbanisation (SF)

 

 

6

Housing and infrastructure (SF)

Learning event 3

City analysis essay due  

7

Employment and economies (SF) 

 

Team based learning task 2

Mid semester break

8

Energy justice (SF)

Learning event 4

 

9

Urban services (AM)

 

Urban development challenge consultation task due

10

Healthy, food secure cities (AM)

Learning event 5

Team based learning task 3

11

Ecological cities (AM)

 

 

Module 3: Towards just and resilient urban futures

12

Political cities (SF)

Learning event 6

Urban development challenge presentations due

13

Future cities (AM)

 

 

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:

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.


Unit information based on version 2021.05 of the Handbook