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GEOP2040 – Cities of the Global South

2023 – Session 2, Online-flexible

General Information

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Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit Convenor, Lecturer
Elizabeth Adamczyk
elizabeth.adamczyk@mq.edu.au
Contact via Email
25WWC
By appointment
Lecturer
Andrew McGregor
Tutor
Aireen Grace Andal
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 (Masters) 2023 Session 2, In person-scheduled-weekday, North Ryde, 2023 Session 2, Online-flexible
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. Submission time for all written assessments is set at 11.55pm. A 1-hour grace period is provided to students who experience a technical issue. This late penalty will apply to non-time 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 the unit convenor in a Special Consideration application. Special Consideration outcome may result in a new question or topic.

Assessment Tasks

Name Weighting Hurdle Due
Team based learning quiz 30% No Weeks 4, 7, 10
City analysis 30% No Monday, Wk 5 (14th Aug)
Urban Development Challenge 40% No Pt 1 Friday Wk8 (29 Sep); Pt 2 Friday Wk13 (4 Nov)

Team based learning quiz

Assessment Type 1: Quiz/Test
Indicative Time on Task 2: 18 hours
Due: Weeks 4, 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

City analysis

Assessment Type 1: Essay
Indicative Time on Task 2: 30 hours
Due: Monday, Wk 5 (14th Aug)
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: Pt 1 Friday Wk8 (29 Sep); Pt 2 Friday Wk13 (4 Nov)
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. Discussions 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 Team-based learning tasks in lectures (face to face students) and online (online students)
  4. Participate in (fortnightly) learning events (tutorials), where content will be analysed and activities conducted that build practical skills

Students are required to participate in all assessment components and 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 (academic) materials via Leganto, and the internet in general for news and policy (grey) literature, about cities in the Global South; online presentation resources (e.g. Adobe products) for building skills for assessments. Students will be required to have access to digital technology and acess to iLearn to complete and submit assessments. The Unit will assist students in accessing support for building skills (e.g. consultation and skills sessions with MQ Adobe champions and support staff) to use Adobe products for assessments. 

For students requiring assistance accessing resources or completing the content and assessments, please contact the Course Convenor.

Unit Schedule

Week

Topic

Learning events

Assessment

Module 1: Theorising the global South

1

Introduction:

Cities of the global South in a global world

 

 

2

Cities in development theory

Learning event 1

 

3

City histories: from colonialism to globalisation

 

 

4

Theories of urbanism in the Global South

Learning event 2

 Team Based Learning - Task 1

Module 2: Ways of living: planning and development questions

5

Cultures and modernity

 

City Analysis Essay due   

6

Housing

Learning event 3

 

7

 Infrastructures and services

 

Team Based Learning - Task 2

Mid semester break

8

Employment and economies

Learning event 4

 

9

Food sovereignty

 

Urban Development Challenge - Part 1 (Consultation task) due

Module 3: Towards just and resilient urban futures

10

Smart cities

Learning event 5

Team Based Learning - Task 3

11

Ecological cities

 

 

12

Political cities

Learning event 6

 

13

Future cities

 

Urban Development Challenge - Part 2 (Portfolio) due 

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.

Unit information based on version 2023.02 of the Handbook