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POL5500 - Understanding the Modern Metropolis

Offering Academic Unit
Department of Public Policy
Credit Units
3
Course Duration
One Semester
Course Offering Term*:
Semester A 2015/16

* The offering term is subject to change without prior notice
 
Course Aims

This course aims to provide the general theoretical backcloth for the programme, to offer a map of the relevant academic literature for prospective urban managers and an understanding of the key drivers of urbanization and urban change in and beyond Asia. It will explore the key contributors to our theoretical and conceptual understanding of the contemporary city, the notable paradigm shifts in urban theory and different disciplinary perspectives on urbanism and urbanization. In doing so, the course will engage with the following topics: what is a city?; urbanization and demography; cities, the global and the local; cities and economic competitiveness; social justice, inequality and the differentiated city; shifting geographies of urbanization and cities in particular regions; urban change and conflict; city futures and sustainability. Particular attention will be given to Asian urbanization and the extent to which our current theoretical understanding of urban processes and urbanization remains inappropriately western-centric.


Assessment (Indicative only, please check the detailed course information)

Class presentation / discussant: 25%
Course essay: 75%
 
Detailed Course Information

POL5500.pdf

Useful Links

Department of Public Policy