Fall 2024 - URB 101 E100
What is a city? (4)
Class Number: 6661
Delivery Method: In Person
Overview
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Course Times + Location:
Sep 4 – Oct 11, 2024: Tue, 2:30–5:20 p.m.
BurnabyOct 16 – Dec 3, 2024: Tue, 2:30–5:20 p.m.
Burnaby
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Instructor:
Mei Fang
mlfang@sfu.ca
Description
CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:
Students will learn what a city can be, and what it means to be part of an urban community from a range of perspectives, methods, and practices. Key ideas explore urban life and processes, including land and housing, economic relations, social relations, mobility and movement, political relations, and human-nature relations.
COURSE DETAILS:
Embark on a dynamic learning journey with Urban Studies 101. This course delves deep into the core question: what defines a city? Taught by passionate faculty and industry practitioners, students will explore diverse perspectives, methodologies, and strategies aimed at enhancing urban environments. Through engaging lectures, interactive discussions, and immersive activities, you will gain a comprehensive understanding of the multifaceted nature of cities and develop practical skills for real-world urban engagement.
COURSE-LEVEL EDUCATIONAL GOALS:
To provide students with a comprehensive understanding of urbanization processes, patterns, and challenges worldwide. Students will explore the preconditions and drivers of urbanization, examine diverse urban systems and forms, and analyze urban problems and potential solutions, developing the knowledge and critical thinking skills necessary to engage with complex urban issues in a global context.
Learning Objectives:
- Gain knowledge of the preconditions for urbanization.
- Understand how and why urbanization proceeds differently worldwide.
- Discern similarities and differences in urban systems globally.
- Become familiar with urban forms and systems shaping cities.
- Identify tools for understanding and diagnosing urban problems.
- Recognize relationships among urban forms, socioeconomic, demographic, and development patterns.
- Understand urban problems and identify transformative solutions.
- Demonstrate critical thinking in relation to urban problems and solutions.
Learning Outcomes:
On completing this course, students will be able to:
- Understand global urbanization drivers.
- Compare and contrast urbanization processes.
- Analyze urban systems and structures.
- Identify factors shaping urban landscapes.
- Develop skills to diagnose and address urban challenges.
- Recognize interplay between urban forms and developmental patterns.
- Assess urban problems and explore sustainable solutions.
- Propose innovative approaches to urban issues considering ethical and environmental factors.
Grading
- Reflective Summaries 35%
- Urban Challenge Project - Group Component 30%
- Urban Challenge Project - Individual Component 35%
NOTES:
Course Schedule:
Week 1: (Pt I) Course Introduction (Pt II) Frameworks for Optimal Cities |
Week 2: (Pt I) Data and the City (Pt II) Reviewing Statistical Data |
Week 3: (Pt I) Changing Urbanizing Cities (Pt II) Conducting Literature Reviews |
Week 4: (Pt I) Indigeneity and Cities (Pt II) Searching Literature |
Week 5: (Pt I) History and Canadian Cities (Pt II) Synthesizing Findings |
Week 6: No Class – Stat Holiday – Tuesday Class Cancellation |
Week 7: (Pt I) Urban Diversity (Pt II) Managing References |
Week 8: (Pt I) Class Film (Pt II) Urban Mobilities |
Week 9: (Pt I) Urban economies (Pt II) Applying Frameworks |
Week 10: (Pt I) Urbanization and Housing (Pt II) Presenting Ideas |
Week 11: (Pt I) Age-Friendly Cities (Pt II) Q & A |
Week 12: (Pt I) Waterfront Change (Pt II) Sustainability and Cities |
Week 13: (Pt I) Group Presentations (Pt II) Course Wrap-Up |
*Note: Outline is subject to change. Course details will be provided in the syllabus.
Materials
MATERIALS + SUPPLIES:
The required readings for this class consist of book chapters, scholarly articles, government and policy documents, film, news pieces, and case studies. All required texts and materials (podcasts, films, etc.) are available via SFU Library or the course Canvas site
REQUIRED READING NOTES:
Your personalized Course Material list, including digital and physical textbooks, are available through the SFU Bookstore website by simply entering your Computing ID at: shop.sfu.ca/course-materials/my-personalized-course-materials.
Registrar Notes:
ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: YOUR WORK, YOUR SUCCESS
SFU’s Academic Integrity website http://www.sfu.ca/students/academicintegrity.html is filled with information on what is meant by academic dishonesty, where you can find resources to help with your studies and the consequences of cheating. Check out the site for more information and videos that help explain the issues in plain English.
Each student is responsible for his or her conduct as it affects the university community. Academic dishonesty, in whatever form, is ultimately destructive of the values of the university. Furthermore, it is unfair and discouraging to the majority of students who pursue their studies honestly. Scholarly integrity is required of all members of the university. http://www.sfu.ca/policies/gazette/student/s10-01.html
RELIGIOUS ACCOMMODATION
Students with a faith background who may need accommodations during the term are encouraged to assess their needs as soon as possible and review the Multifaith religious accommodations website. The page outlines ways they begin working toward an accommodation and ensure solutions can be reached in a timely fashion.