Students

GEOP2040 – Cities of the Global South

2022 – Session 2, Online-flexible

General Information

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Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit Convenor and Lecturer
Elizabeth Adamczyk
elizabeth.adamczyk@mq.edu.au
Contact via iLearn
Lecturer
Andrew McGregor
andrew.mcgregor@mq.edu.au
Lecturer
Sara Fuller
sara.fuller@mq.edu.au
Credit points Credit points
10
Prerequisites Prerequisites
40cp at 1000 level or above
Corequisites Corequisites
Co-badged status Co-badged status
GEOP6040 - Cities of the Global South
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 5% penalty (of the total possible mark) will be applied each day a written assessment is not submitted, up until the 7th day (including weekends).

After the 7th day, a mark of ‘0’ (zero) will be awarded even if the assessment is submitted.

This late penalty will apply to non-timed sensitive assessment (incl essays, reports, posters, portfolios, journals, recordings etc). 

Late submission of time sensitive tasks (such as tests/ exams, performance assessments/ presentations, scheduled practical assessments/ labs, etc) will only be addressed by Special Consideration application by the unit convenor. Special Consideration outcome may result in a new question or topic.

Assessment Tasks

Name Weighting Hurdle Due
Team based learning quiz 30% No Week 3, Week 7, Week 10
City analysis 30% No Week 6
Urban Development Challenge 40% No Week 9 - consultation document, Week 12 - presentation

Team based learning quiz

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

City analysis

Assessment Type 1: Essay
Indicative Time on Task 2: 30 hours
Due: Week 6
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: Week 9 - consultation document, Week 12 - presentation
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

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. Attend the lectures and work through any associated online material and activities posted for the 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 tasks throughout the session.

GEOP2040/GEOP6040 uses a variety of 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 articles (via Leganto), and the web in general for news and policy literature about, and discussions of, cities in the Global South. You will be required to have access to digital technology and acess to iLearn to complete and submit assessments. The Unit will assist you in building skills using Adobe products for assessments. 

Unit Schedule

Week

Topic

Learning events

Assessment

Module 1: Urban theory and development in the Global South

1

Introduction: Cities of the Global South (EA)

 

 

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 (EA)

Learning event 2

 

Module 2: Urban planning and development issues

5

Employment and economies (AM)

 

 

6

Housing and infrastructure (SF)

Learning event 3

City analysis essay due  

7

Ecological cities (AM)

 

Team based learning task 2

Mid semester break

8

Mobility and urbanisation (SF) 

Learning event 4

 

9

Urban energy and development (SF)

 

Urban development challenge consultation task due

10

Healthy, food secure cities (EA)

Learning event 5

Team based learning task 3

11

Urban services (EA)

 

 

Module 3: Towards just and resilient urban futures

12

Political cities (AM)

Learning event 6

Urban development challenge presentations due

13

Future cities (EA)

 

 

 

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

Academic Integrity

At Macquarie, we believe academic integrity – honesty, respect, trust, responsibility, fairness and courage – is at the core of learning, teaching and research. We recognise that meeting the expectations required to complete your assessments can be challenging. So, we offer you a range of resources and services to help you reach your potential, including free online writing and maths support, academic skills development and wellbeing consultations.

Student Support

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

The Writing Centre

The Writing Centre provides resources to develop your English language proficiency, academic writing, and communication skills.

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

Student Services and Support

Macquarie University offers a range of Student Support Services including:

Student Enquiries

Got a question? Ask us via AskMQ, or contact Service Connect.

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
04/07/2022 Fixed 2 typos - in the delivery and resources section.

Unit information based on version 2022.02 of the Handbook