Students

GEOP2040 – Cities of the Global South

2024 – Session 2, Online-flexible

General Information

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Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit convenor and teaching staff Convenor, Lecturer
Elizabeth Adamczyk
elizabeth.adamczyk@mq.edu.au
WWB210
By appointment
Lecturer
Andrew McGregor
andrew.mcgregor@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
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

Assignment requirements and submission

Detailed requirements and marking rubrics for each assessment are available on the iLearn site. All written assignments should be submitted online to Turnitin via the relevant links provided in iLearn.

You are not required to submit a hardcopy of any assignments or include a cover sheet.

Assessment extensions and late penalties

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. Circumstances that affect your ability to complete assignments by the deadline must be discussed with the Convenor (Liz) prior to the due date. Extensions will be granted only in unforeseen or exceptional circumstances according to the University Special Consideration policy. Students must apply online via AskMQ and provide appropriate supporting documentation (e.g. medical certificate).

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-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 feedback

All feedback for assignments will be made available online.

Assessment Tasks

Name Weighting Hurdle Due
Team based learning quiz 30% No Weeks 3, 7, 11 (Online: IRAT Mon 9.55am, TRAT Fri 11.55pm)
City analysis 30% No Friday Week 5 (Online)
Urban Development Challenge 40% No Fri Wk9 11.55pm (Phase 2); Sun Wk13 11.55pm (Phase 3)

Team based learning quiz

Assessment Type 1: Quiz/Test
Indicative Time on Task 2: 18 hours
Due: Weeks 3, 7, 11 (Online: IRAT Mon 9.55am, TRAT Fri 11.55pm)
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: Friday Week 5 (Online)
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: Fri Wk9 11.55pm (Phase 2); Sun Wk13 11.55pm (Phase 3)
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

To successfully complete the unit, 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), and
  3. Participate in Learning Events (fortnightly), where readings will be workshopped and activities conducted that build knowledge and skills for critical thinking and assessments.

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 access digital technologies to build skills and communicate to complete assignments, and access iLearn to complete and submit assessments. You will be supported in the Unit to build multi-media consultation and presentation skills using Adobe portfolio products for assessments. 

Unit Schedule

Week

Topic

Learning event (tutorial)

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

Team Based Learning Task Practice Task (not assessed) (online - complete IRAT by Monday 9.55am, complete TRAT by Friday 11.55pm) 

3

City histories: from colonialism to globalisation

 

Team Based Learning Task 1 (online - complete IRAT by Monday 9.55am, complete TRAT by Friday 11.55pm)

4

Theories of urbanism from the Global South

Learning event 2

Urban Development Challenge Phase 1 (Problem Identification) due in Learning Event (not assessed)

Module 2: Ways of living: urban planning and development

5

Culture and change

 

City Analysis Essay due (online Friday 11.55pm)  

6

Making a living

Learning event 3

  

7

Housing and energy

 

Team Based Learning Task 2 (online - complete IRAT by Monday 9.55am, complete TRAT by Friday 11.55pm)

8

Infrastructures and mobilities

Learning event 4

  
 

Mid semester break

9

Health and food security

 

Urban Development Challenge Phase 2 (Public Consultation) due (online Friday 11.55pm)

Module 3: Towards just and resilient urban futures

10 *

Smart futures

Learning event 5

* Monday Week 10 October 7 - NSW Public Holiday

Lecture recording (online) and Learning Event peer consultation for UDC

11

Ecological futures

 

Team Based Learning Task 3 (online - complete IRAT by Monday 9.55am, complete TRAT by Friday 11.55pm)

12

Political futures

Learning event 6

  

13

Futures cities of the Global South

 

Urban Development Challenge Phase 3 (Video Pitch) due Week 13 (online Sunday 11.55pm)
         

 

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 connect.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 the Service Connect Portal, 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
15/07/2024 Fixed incorrect due date in table for Urban Development Challenge Phase 2

Unit information based on version 2024.01R of the Handbook