Students
SOCX3015 – The Urban Century: Movement, Cities and Space
2023 – Session 1, Online-flexible
General Information
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| Unit convenor and teaching staff |
Unit convenor and teaching staff
Unit Convenor
Amanda Wise
Lecturer
Justine Lloyd
Lecturer
Peter Rogers
|
|---|---|
| Credit points |
Credit points
10
|
| Prerequisites |
Prerequisites
130cp at 1000 level or above
|
| Corequisites |
Corequisites
|
| Co-badged status |
Co-badged status
SOCX3015
|
| Unit description |
Unit description
This unit explores how sociologists understand the collective challenges of a global world. Research into global issues includes international migration, global cities, the rise of information & surveillance capitalism, global value chains and transnational financial flows, global interconnections of everyday actors and elites and the global consequences of climate change. Students explore the role of local communities and cultures in reshaping and regulating global forces and power structures underpinning globalism, nationalism and cosmopolitanism. We will examine the changing roles of civil society and local community in creating alternatives to the twin powers of states and markets, from successes and failures to future opportunities and emerging risks. By exploring the relationships between space, place and people through contemporary case studies (for example, global cities and social infrastructures, the sociology of risk and crisis, resilience and disasters; global migration, border politics and citizenship rights) students will build on and extend previous learning in theory and methods, with the option of a fieldwork project focused on a case study. |
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: Demonstrate a theoretical and practical understanding of sociological research into global forces, particularly affecting urban space, place and culture
- ULO2: Observe and reflect upon global forces through a sociological lens
- ULO3: Evaluate the impact of global forces on 21st century society and culture through a structured research project or other written work
- ULO4: Critically evaluate and justify both individual and group performance through active participation and continuous learning
- ULO5: Analyse, synthesise and reflect upon the quality of empirical evidence from different scholarly sources
- ULO6: Reflect upon the realities of global urban living that they regularly confront, and evaluate the tools of analysis that may best enable them to critically evaluate these processes.
- ULO7: Demonstrate a level of research, reflection and writing appropriate for a third-year sociology student
- ULO8: Explore topics in global and urban sociology they could pursue in graduate study or research
General Assessment Information
Late penalty
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-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 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Learning reflections | 30% | No | Weeks 4, 7, 12 |
| Research essay | 40% | No | Week 13 |
| Group project | 30% | No | Allocated |
Learning reflections
Assessment Type 1: Reflective Writing
Indicative Time on Task 2: 15 hours
Due: Weeks 4, 7, 12
Weighting: 30%
Students keep a regular learning diary with short entries drawing connections between 'real world' examples, lectures and readings.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Demonstrate a theoretical and practical understanding of sociological research into global forces, particularly affecting urban space, place and culture
- Observe and reflect upon global forces through a sociological lens
- Evaluate the impact of global forces on 21st century society and culture through a structured research project or other written work
- Critically evaluate and justify both individual and group performance through active participation and continuous learning
- Analyse, synthesise and reflect upon the quality of empirical evidence from different scholarly sources
- Reflect upon the realities of global urban living that they regularly confront, and evaluate the tools of analysis that may best enable them to critically evaluate these processes.
- Demonstrate a level of research, reflection and writing appropriate for a third-year sociology student
- Explore topics in global and urban sociology they could pursue in graduate study or research
Research essay
Assessment Type 1: Essay
Indicative Time on Task 2: 40 hours
Due: Week 13
Weighting: 40%
Research essay responding to one of six set questions or a negotiated topic relating to the unit content.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Demonstrate a theoretical and practical understanding of sociological research into global forces, particularly affecting urban space, place and culture
- Observe and reflect upon global forces through a sociological lens
- Evaluate the impact of global forces on 21st century society and culture through a structured research project or other written work
- Analyse, synthesise and reflect upon the quality of empirical evidence from different scholarly sources
- Reflect upon the realities of global urban living that they regularly confront, and evaluate the tools of analysis that may best enable them to critically evaluate these processes.
- Demonstrate a level of research, reflection and writing appropriate for a third-year sociology student
- Explore topics in global and urban sociology they could pursue in graduate study or research
Group project
Assessment Type 1: Project
Indicative Time on Task 2: 30 hours
Due: Allocated
Weighting: 30%
Small group visual presentation on an allocated 'real world' topic.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Demonstrate a theoretical and practical understanding of sociological research into global forces, particularly affecting urban space, place and culture
- Observe and reflect upon global forces through a sociological lens
- Evaluate the impact of global forces on 21st century society and culture through a structured research project or other written work
- Critically evaluate and justify both individual and group performance through active participation and continuous learning
- Analyse, synthesise and reflect upon the quality of empirical evidence from different scholarly sources
- Reflect upon the realities of global urban living that they regularly confront, and evaluate the tools of analysis that may best enable them to critically evaluate these processes.
- Demonstrate a level of research, reflection and writing appropriate for a third-year sociology student
- Explore topics in global and urban sociology they could pursue in graduate study or research
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
Weekly Lectures: On campus, live streamed and recorded.
Lecturers: Module 1: Justine Lloyd. Module 2: Amanda Wise. Module 3: Peter Rogers
Weekly Tutorials: Not compulsory - OUA students may join our online Zoom tutorial held weekly on Mondays 6pm-7pm. Details in iLearn
Readings: Leganto
Extra resources: via iLearn page - these include forums, documentaries, reports, media items, video clips
Unit Schedule
Draft unit schedule
| MODULE 1 | GLOBAL CITIES & INEQUALITY |
| Week 1 | Introduction |
| Week 2 | The Global City |
| Week 3 | The Just City & Social Infrastructures |
| MODULE 2 | GLOBAL CITIES, DIVERSITY & MIGRATION |
| Week 4 | DiverCities': Superdiversity & Globalisation |
| Week 5 | Borders & global mobility |
| Week 6 | Trade Cities: Low-End Globalisation: spotlight Hong Kong & Guangzhou |
| Week 7 | Arrival Cities: Diversity in the neighbourhood |
| MODULE 3 | GLOBAL URBAN CHALLENGES |
| Week 8 | SMART cities & networked urbanism |
| Week 9 | Secure Cities: Surveillance, social movements & public space |
| Week 10 | Urban Field Trip |
| Week 11 | Field Trip discussion & presentations |
| Week 12 | Resilient Cities: Global problems, local solutions |
| Week 13 | Connecting the threads |
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
- Assessment Procedure
- Complaints Resolution 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
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.
- Workshops
- Chat with a WriteWISE peer writing leader
- Access StudyWISE
- Upload an assignment to Studiosity
- Complete the Academic Integrity Module
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:
- IT Support
- Accessibility and disability support with study
- Mental health support
- Safety support to respond to bullying, harassment, sexual harassment and sexual assault
- Social support including information about finances, tenancy and legal issues
- Student Advocacy provides independent advice on MQ policies, procedures, and processes
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