Students

GEOP3070 – Urban Economies

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
Miriam Williams
Credit points Credit points
10
Prerequisites Prerequisites
130cp
Corequisites Corequisites
Co-badged status Co-badged status
Unit description Unit description

Cities are the drivers of the national and international economy. This unit explores the role of firms, households and governments in shaping economic processes in cities, with a focus on Australian cities. The unit will explore four key themes. First, the unit investigates the major international and domestic drivers of the urban economy. Second, the unit explores some of the main theoretical approaches used in economic geography to understand urban economic processes. Third, financial processes related to infrastructure delivery and land/housing economics are investigated. Finally, issues of urban productivity, employment and disadvantage are explored. Through the investigation of theory, economic and planning policy and detailed analysis of case studies, students will develop an understanding of the complex economic processes which shape cities.

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: Explain the key theoretical frameworks, concepts, definitions and measures used for understanding economic processes in cities
  • ULO2: Evaluate the economic processes which drive the spatial structure of cities in Australia and internationally
  • ULO3: Analyse economic and employment data to explore economic processes, governance and funding at the urban scale.
  • ULO4: Critically evaluate the role of urban and economic planning policy in shaping economic processes between and within cities.

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.

Assessment Tasks

Name Weighting Hurdle Due
Essay 30% No 17:00 10/09/2021
Research report 40% No 17:00 29/10/2021
Tutorial portfolio 30% No 17:00 05/11/2021

Essay

Assessment Type 1: Essay
Indicative Time on Task 2: 30 hours
Due: 17:00 10/09/2021
Weighting: 30%

 

Essay (1,200 words) exploring one of the key theoretical frameworks used to explore economic processes in cities.

 


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Explain the key theoretical frameworks, concepts, definitions and measures used for understanding economic processes in cities
  • Evaluate the economic processes which drive the spatial structure of cities in Australia and internationally
  • Analyse economic and employment data to explore economic processes, governance and funding at the urban scale.
  • Critically evaluate the role of urban and economic planning policy in shaping economic processes between and within cities.

Research report

Assessment Type 1: Report
Indicative Time on Task 2: 40 hours
Due: 17:00 29/10/2021
Weighting: 40%

 

Research report (2,000 words) on employment and economic disadvantage across Sydney.

 


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Explain the key theoretical frameworks, concepts, definitions and measures used for understanding economic processes in cities
  • Evaluate the economic processes which drive the spatial structure of cities in Australia and internationally
  • Analyse economic and employment data to explore economic processes, governance and funding at the urban scale.
  • Critically evaluate the role of urban and economic planning policy in shaping economic processes between and within cities.

Tutorial portfolio

Assessment Type 1: Portfolio
Indicative Time on Task 2: 30 hours
Due: 17:00 05/11/2021
Weighting: 30%

 

A portfolio of work completed in the tutorials including summaries and practice-based tasks.

 


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Explain the key theoretical frameworks, concepts, definitions and measures used for understanding economic processes in cities
  • Evaluate the economic processes which drive the spatial structure of cities in Australia and internationally
  • Analyse economic and employment data to explore economic processes, governance and funding at the urban scale.
  • Critically evaluate the role of urban and economic planning policy in shaping economic processes between and within cities.

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 Tuesdays). Tutorials start in week 2 (Tuesday 3rd August). Internal students can attend the face-to-face tutorial, or zoom tutorial. For external students, tutorials take place through weekly discussion forums. You should listen to the pre-recorded lecture, prior to making contributions to the discussion forums and tutorials.

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 GEOP3070 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.

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 2021.03 of the Handbook