Not available in 2023/24
GY439      Half Unit
Cities, Politics and Citizenship

This information is for the 2023/24 session.

Teacher responsible

Dr Murray Low STC.S.512

Availability

This course is available on the MSc in City Design and Social Science, MSc in Culture and Society, MSc in Environment and Development, MSc in Environmental Policy, Technology and Health (Environment and Development) (LSE and Peking University), MSc in Human Geography and Urban Studies (Research), MSc in Regional And Urban Planning Studies, MSc in Urban Policy (LSE and Sciences Po) and MSc in Urbanisation and Development. This course is available with permission as an outside option to students on other programmes where regulations permit.

Course content

Perspectives on contemporary urban politics. The course will equip students interested in urban change and development to understand and critically assess the variety of ways in which urban politics and policies are imagined and discussed in universities as well as in the world of policy. It will also develop their understandings of key debates and themes in contemporary urban political life.

Topics covered will include: imagining urban politics; theories of urban politics, 'globalisation' and urban political life; urban governance; civil society and urban social movements; urban dimensions of citizenship and migration; policing, violence and urban politics; urban politics and ‘neoliberalism.’

Teaching

In the Department of Geography and Environment, teaching will be delivered through a combination of classes/seminars, pre-recorded lectures, live online lectures, in-person lectures and other supplementary interactive live activities.

This course is delivered through interactive seminars across Lent Term

This course includes a reading week in Week 6 of Lent Term

Formative coursework

Students will be expected to produce 1 piece of coursework in the WT.

Indicative reading

J Borja and M Castell, Local and Global, 1997; J Davies and D

Imbroscio, eds., Theories of Urban Politics (2nd Edition), 2009; M

Douglass and J Friedmann, eds., Cities for Citizens, 1998; D Judge, G

Stoker and H Wolman, eds, Theories of Urban Politics, 1995; P Le Galegrave;s,

European Cities, 2002; L Sandercock, Towards Cosmopolis, 1998; S. Sassen

Territory, Authority, Rights, 2006; M P Smith, Translocal Urbanism,

2001.

Assessment

Take-home assessment (100%) in the ST.

Student performance results

(2019/20 - 2021/22 combined)

Classification % of students
Distinction 40
Merit 45.7
Pass 11.4
Fail 2.9

Key facts

Department: Geography and Environment

Total students 2022/23: 13

Average class size 2022/23: 13

Controlled access 2022/23: Yes

Value: Half Unit

Guidelines for interpreting course guide information

Course selection videos

Some departments have produced short videos to introduce their courses. Please refer to the course selection videos index page for further information.

Personal development skills

  • Self-management
  • Team working
  • Problem solving
  • Communication