| Unit name | Cities, Housing and Public Policy |
|---|---|
| Unit code | SPOLM1072 |
| Credit points | 20 |
| Level of study | M/7 |
| Teaching block(s) |
Teaching Block 2 (weeks 13 - 24) |
| Unit director | Professor. Burrows |
| Open unit status | Not open |
| Units you must take before you take this one (pre-requisite units) |
s None |
| Units you must take alongside this one (co-requisite units) |
None |
| Units you may not take alongside this one |
None |
| School/department | School for Policy Studies |
| Faculty | Faculty of Social Sciences and Law |
Why is this unit important?
At a time when the world’s urban population is greater than the world’s rural population, and when cities are becoming increasingly urbanised, you will examine key issues facing residents and policy makers in urban society. You will explore a wide range of inter-disciplinary topics such as city leadership, gentrification, technology, sustainability and financialization in relation to cities. You will focus on specific policy issues such as housing, inequalities, sustainability, and new forms of urban governance.
How does this unit fit into the programme of study
This unit is one of several optional units you can choose to take in the second term of study. This unit provides an opportunity for students to understand new challenges cities are facing including housing policy and provision.
An overview of content
Drawing on eclectic literature including (but not limited to) urban studies, public and social policy, urban geography, housing studies, sociology and political science, the unit addresses broad themes related to the ways in which cities develop and change; cities face challenges; and cities are governed. Policy issues will be explored in a variety of urban settings nationally and internationally.
How will students be different as a result of the unit:
As a result of the unit, you will develop a range of academic, research and knowledge handling skills. You will be able to evaluate the existing research on contemporary urban and housing policies, using some case examples. You will be able to think critically and creatively regarding the processes of urban governance and contemporary urbanism in interdisciplinary context. Through the assessment and seminar discussion, you will also be able to express your ideas and elucidate the links between patterns of contemporary urbanism and broader processes of global socio-economic and institutional change.
Intended learning outcomes
On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:
Teaching will be delivered through in-person interactive sessions involving lectures and seminars. Your learning is supported via the online learning platform, Blackboard, where lecture materials and tasks are listed. You will be asked to undertake a specific task or reading to discuss in each seminar session. There is also an emphasis on self-directed study and reading.
Tasks which help you learn and prepare you for summative tasks (formative):
Group tasks will be undertaken and shared with feedback offered by peers and seminar lead/s during seminar sessions. The tasks will help develop your critical engagement skills regarding selected topic areas and leading the seminar discussion on the basis of recommended reading.
Tasks which count towards your unit mark (summative):
Essay (3000 word maximum, 100%)
This assessment covers all intended learning outcomes
When assessment does not go to plan
Subject to the university regulations for taught programmes, you may be offered an opportunity for reassessment. If you are eligible to resubmit and where appropriate, you may submit a revised version of your previous assignment, or complete an alternative assessment in the same format as the original assessment.
If this unit has a Resource List, you will normally find a link to it in the Blackboard area for the unit. Sometimes there will be a separate link for each weekly topic.
If you are unable to access a list through Blackboard, you can also find it via the Resource Lists homepage. Search for the list by the unit name or code (e.g. SPOLM1072).
How much time the unit requires
Each credit equates to 10 hours of total student input. For example a 20 credit unit will take you 200 hours
of study to complete. Your total learning time is made up of contact time, directed learning tasks,
independent learning and assessment activity.
See the University Workload statement relating to this unit for more information.
Assessment
The assessment methods listed in this unit specification are designed to enable students to demonstrate the named learning outcomes (LOs). Where a disability prevents a student from undertaking a specific method of assessment, schools will make reasonable adjustments to support a student to demonstrate the LO by an alternative method or with additional resources.
The Board of Examiners will consider all cases where students have failed or not completed the assessments required for credit.
The Board considers each student's outcomes across all the units which contribute to each year's programme of study. For appropriate assessments, if you have self-certificated your absence, you will normally be required to complete it the next time it runs (for assessments at the end of TB1 and TB2 this is usually in the next re-assessment period).
The Board of Examiners will take into account any exceptional circumstances and operates
within the Regulations and Code of Practice for Taught Programmes.
