Unit convenor and teaching staff |
Unit convenor and teaching staff
Unit Convenor and Lecturer
Dr Donna Houston
Contact via Email
6 First Walk (W3A) Room 418
Please email me to make an appointment
Tutor, Lecturer
Dr Andrew Burridge
Contact via Email
6 First Walk (W3A) Room 465
Please email me to make an appointment
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Credit points |
Credit points
3
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Prerequisites |
Prerequisites
ENVG111 or GEOS111 or GEOP111
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Corequisites |
Corequisites
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Co-badged status |
Co-badged status
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Unit description |
Unit description
The unit focuses on two big ideas: urbanisation and the Anthropocene. For the first time in human history, over half of the world’s population live in cities. Urbanisation and the political, cultural and economic structures that sustain urban life are key drivers of global environmental change. The unit asks the question: how are we to imagine, plan and govern cities in the Anthropocene era? What solutions to global environmental change might cities offer? Key dimensions of urban planning theory, philosophy and practice are covered, including: urban cultures, urban infrastructures and mobilities, social change and social justice, urban political economy, governance and urban ecology. Students will have the opportunity to link theory and practice through real-world projects, where Sydney will become ‘living laboratory’ for engaging with our urban planet.
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Information about important academic dates including deadlines for withdrawing from units are available at https://www.mq.edu.au/study/calendar-of-dates
On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:
There are four assessment tasks associated with this unit. But don't panic! Some of these tasks are associated with attendance, oral presentation and active participation in class, rather than formal written assignments. The assessment in GEOP181 focuses on two key areas:
(1) Developing foundational skills and knowledges for understanding urban processes, spaces and places through the exploration and application of urban theory to urban spaces, and
(2) Developing foundational skills in the written, verbal and visual communication of spatial / urban planning concepts and ideas
The assessment tasks for this unit cover a range of activities and are listed below. Please make sure that you check the GEOP181 iLearn website for additional information about the assessment items, including detailed instructions, marking criteria and marking guides.
A note on participation tasks (assessment items 4 and 5).
While the lectures will be recorded and made available through Echo360 on iLearn, regular attendance at the lectures is strongly encouraged and it is compulsory to attend all of the scheduled tutorials and the student conference in weeks 12 and 13. This means that in GEOP181 we will be recording both your attendance in the tutorials and your participation in class discussions.
Your attendance in tutorials in compulsory
The tutorials have a series of structured tasks related to the weekly themes. Tutorial attendance is compulsory. If you have more than one unexplained absence, you will need to apply for 'special consideration'. Some of the tasks such as the small group presentation are assessed in class. Other tasks, such as the Week 5 Role Play will contribute to your overall performance in GEOP181.
Absence during in-class presentations / Urban Futures Student Conference
Oral presentations, including your small group presentation and the Urban Futures Student Conference are marked in class. The Urban Futures Student Conference is your final piece of assessment for the unit (there is no final exam for this unit) and it is very important to your final result in GEOP181 that you take this exercise very seriously and be generous in your time and attention to other students presenting their work. If you are absent for any of the days you are scheduled to present, you will need to follow the 'Special Consideration' procedure. Only students with formally approved absences will be able to organise a make-assessment for missed oral presentations.
Handing in and receiving back your assignments via Turnitin
Unless otherwise specified, all assignments should be submitted online through Turnitin on the GEOP181 iLearn site. A Turnitin link will be provided for each assignment task (with the exception of the blog entry associated with the student conference). Please make sure that all assignments are submitted on time - by 5pm on the due date. Donna will post an announcement on iLearn when the marks are released back via Turnitin, so please make sure that you check iLearn and your Macquarie student email regularly throughout the semester to keep up-to-date with important notices and instructions, feedback and marks for your assignments.
Penalties for late assignments
Unless a Special Consideration request has been submitted and approved, (a) a penalty for lateness will apply – two (2) marks out of 100 will be deducted per day for assignments submitted after the due date – and (b) no assignment will be accepted more than seven (7) days (incl. weekends) after the original submission deadline. No late submissions will be accepted for timed assessments – e.g. quizzes, online tests.
Name | Weighting | Hurdle | Due |
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Critical Review | 25% | No | 5pm Friday August 31 (Week 5) |
Urban Writing Task | 40% | No | 5pm Friday 19th October |
Urban Futures Conference | 20% | No | Weeks 12 and 13 |
Small group task | 15% | No | Weeks 3-11 |
Due: 5pm Friday August 31 (Week 5)
Weighting: 25%
The lectures and tutorials in weeks 2, 3 and 4 introduce three key urban planning doctrines which have profoundly influenced planning knowledge and practice. Your task is to choose one planning doctrine and write a 1200 word critical review of the key ideas and thinkers that have shaped the planning doctrine. You will be asked to discuss the strengths and limitations of the doctrine.
Due: 5pm Friday 19th October
Weighting: 40%
This is the major assessment task for the unit. You are required to write a 2000 word essay in your own words responding to a key issue related to cities and planning in the Anthropocene. You will have a choice of responding to one of three topics included in the guide to preparing this assignment found in the assignment folder in iLearn. The essay will require you to conduct a small independent study of an urban/planning context (local or international). You will also be required to demonstrate independent essay research and writing skills. This includes:
1. The demonstration of a sufficient depth of reading and research related to the selected topic;
2. Critical evaluation of the urban / planning issues related to your topic and;
2. Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively in written work
It is essential that the essay (including all internet material) is meticulously referenced. A detailed marking rubric and criteria for the assignment is included in the instructions for the assignment.
Due: Weeks 12 and 13
Weighting: 20%
Expanding on your research from the urban writing project, you are asked to consider how your investigations relate to the challenges facing urban futures. You will develop a short 3-minute presentation (in the form of a poster, short film, or powerpoint but please limit your presentation to a maximum of 2 slides if you are using powerppoint). The focus of the presentation is on the problems and possibilities of the future city. You will be assessed on the quality of your visual presentation, your delivery and ability to keep to time and your responses to questions from the conference audience. Attendance is compulsory for both weeks and all students must be ready to present on Wednesday 31st October (5% of your mark for this assignment is attendance and participation).
Due: Weeks 3-11
Weighting: 15%
We expect that all students will prepare for class by doing the required readings. To help facilitate exciting tutorial discussions and collectively build your understanding of key urban issues, you are required to work in a small group (4 students) to lead one 30 minute tutorial discussion between weeks 6-11. Your tutorial discussion will be related to the weekly theme and the required readings. Your group may bring a stimulus for discussion in the form of a media article or a short media clip or your group may prepare an activity or questions to be workshopped in class. Groups will be formed in the first two weeks of tutorials. Make sure you get in contact with your group members early to prepare for this task! Ask your tutor if you are not assigned to a group by Week 2. This assignment will be marked in class. You will also be required to submit evidence of your individual contribution to the task in the form of a written summary of the readings and a peer assessment to Turnitin on the day of your presentation (50% of the mark for the task, 500 words maximum).
GEOP181 Cities and Planning is taught over 13 weeks in a lecture/tutorial format. Each week, a two hour time slot is set aside for lectures and one hour for tutorials. The lectures will be recorded and made available via Echo360 which is linked to the iLearn page.
There are two required readings set for each week and it is essential that you do these readings. Readings for the unit are available on Leganto. A list of classic and recommended readings is available on iLearn to assist you with the preparation of assignments. You are strongly encouraged to read widely on a range of urban theories and issues beyond the set requirements of the unit.
It is extremely important that you have regular access to a computer and iLearn in GEOP181. Not only will lecture slides and notes be posted on iLearn, it is also where you will submit your assignments via the Turnitin link and receive feedback. Donna will post important notices via the announcements tool. A separate dialogue will be set up for on campus and off-campus students where you can post any questions that you may have. The link to the iLearn login page is: https://ilearn.mq.edu.au/login/
Weekly Lecture and Tutorial Themes
Tutorials begin in week one
Week 1 Introduction: Life on an Urban Planet
Tutorial: What is planning? Unit guide and expectations, student presentations
Week 2 Planning Doctrine One: Utopias and Ideal Cities
Tutorial: Introducing the planning doctrines; discussion of utopias in planning
Week 3 Planning Doctrine Two: Modern and Rational Planning
Tutorial: Modernity and rationality; the right to the city
Week 4 Planning Doctrine Three: Diverse Cities
Tutorial: Cosmopolis and the deliberative turn; review of assignment one
Week 5 Film Screening & Introduction to Essay
Tutorial: Role Play (key class participation activity)
Week 6 Sensing the City
Tutorial: Group presentation
Week 7 Urban Mobilities
Tutorial: Group presentation
Week 8 Urban Dwelling
Tutorial: Group Presentation
Week 9 Urban Regeneration
Tutorial: Group Presentation
Week 10 Urban Resilience
Tutorial: Group Presentation
Week 11 Urban Natures
Tutorial: Group Presentation
Urban Futures Student Conference (compulsory)
No tutorials
Week 12 Urban Futures Student Conference (compulsory)
No tutorials
Macquarie University policies and procedures are accessible from Policy Central (https://staff.mq.edu.au/work/strategy-planning-and-governance/university-policies-and-procedures/policy-central). Students should be aware of the following policies in particular with regard to Learning and Teaching:
Undergraduate students seeking more policy resources can visit the Student Policy Gateway (https://students.mq.edu.au/support/study/student-policy-gateway). It is your one-stop-shop for the key policies you need to know about throughout your undergraduate student journey.
If you would like to see all the policies relevant to Learning and Teaching visit Policy Central (https://staff.mq.edu.au/work/strategy-planning-and-governance/university-policies-and-procedures/policy-central).
Macquarie University students have a responsibility to be familiar with the Student Code of Conduct: https://students.mq.edu.au/study/getting-started/student-conduct
Results shown in iLearn, 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.
Macquarie University provides a range of support services for students. For details, visit http://students.mq.edu.au/support/
Learning Skills (mq.edu.au/learningskills) provides academic writing resources and study strategies to improve your marks and take control of your study.
Students with a disability are encouraged to contact the Disability Service who can provide appropriate help with any issues that arise during their studies.
For all student enquiries, visit Student Connect at ask.mq.edu.au
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.
Our graduates will also be capable of creative thinking and of creating knowledge. They will be imaginative and open to experience and capable of innovation at work and in the community. We want them to be engaged in applying their critical, creative thinking.
This graduate capability is supported by:
We want our graduates to have emotional intelligence and sound interpersonal skills and to demonstrate discernment and common sense in their professional and personal judgement. They will exercise initiative as needed. They will be capable of risk assessment, and be able to handle ambiguity and complexity, enabling them to be adaptable in diverse and changing environments.
This graduate capability is supported by:
Our graduates will take with them the intellectual development, depth and breadth of knowledge, scholarly understanding, and specific subject content in their chosen fields to make them competent and confident in their subject or profession. They will be able to demonstrate, where relevant, professional technical competence and meet professional standards. They will be able to articulate the structure of knowledge of their discipline, be able to adapt discipline-specific knowledge to novel situations, and be able to contribute from their discipline to inter-disciplinary solutions to problems.
This graduate capability is supported by:
We want our graduates to be capable of reasoning, questioning and analysing, and to integrate and synthesise learning and knowledge from a range of sources and environments; to be able to critique constraints, assumptions and limitations; to be able to think independently and systemically in relation to scholarly activity, in the workplace, and in the world. We want them to have a level of scientific and information technology literacy.
This graduate capability is supported by:
Our graduates should be capable of researching; of analysing, and interpreting and assessing data and information in various forms; of drawing connections across fields of knowledge; and they should be able to relate their knowledge to complex situations at work or in the world, in order to diagnose and solve problems. We want them to have the confidence to take the initiative in doing so, within an awareness of their own limitations.
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We want to develop in our students the ability to communicate and convey their views in forms effective with different audiences. We want our graduates to take with them the capability to read, listen, question, gather and evaluate information resources in a variety of formats, assess, write clearly, speak effectively, and to use visual communication and communication technologies as appropriate.
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As local citizens our graduates will be aware of indigenous perspectives and of the nation's historical context. They will be engaged with the challenges of contemporary society and with knowledge and ideas. We want our graduates to have respect for diversity, to be open-minded, sensitive to others and inclusive, and to be open to other cultures and perspectives: they should have a level of cultural literacy. Our graduates should be aware of disadvantage and social justice, and be willing to participate to help create a wiser and better society.
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Date | Description |
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31/07/2018 | I found a minor error in the unit schedule that would have been confusing to students doing presentations. I fixed the problem. |