HGO4202 ¨C Urban social geography and urban policies

Course content

This is an advanced course in urban social geography and urban policies. The aim is to explore central theories and empirical findings of urban social geography and urban policies through thematic excursions in the literature and in diverse field settings. An additional aim is to provide preparatory training for thesis writing.

This course provides in-depth studies of recent theories about urban policies and town planning, as well as empirical research that can clarify the content of these theories. Particular emphasis is placed on understanding correlations between social, cultural and economic changes (such as postmodern urban development and globalization) on the one hand, and on the other hand the growth of new forms of urban policies and town planning (such as entrepreneurship policy, governance, postmodern planning processes, neighbourhood strategies, liberalized housing policies, a focus on spectacular architecture and new urbanism) in cities in the western world.

The course involves the in-depth analysis of recent and contemporary theories within urban social geography and urban policies. The following main themes are covered by the course syllabus:

1. Contemporary urbanism

2. Segregation, neighbourhood effects and spaces of encounter

3. Market-oriented modes of governance: neoliberalism & the distinctive city

4. Area-based policies

5. Housing policy and housing regimes

6. Urban planning and architecture

7. Urbanization, planning and policies for suburban spaces

8. New modes of planning: theory & practice

Learning outcome

Knowledge goals

You will be able to:

• account for and discuss key concepts and theories in contemporary urban social geography, urban policies and town planning

• explain the connection between economic and societal development and various kinds of urban differentiation processes and patterns

• explain and provide examples of how different processes take shape at different geographical levels (from global to local conditions)

• explain the correlations between social, cultural and economic changes on the one hand, and on the other hand recent forms of urban policies and town planning

• become familiar with examples of what kind of urbanism results from a more privatized and pluralistic urban development?

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Skills attainment goals

You will be able to:

• account for and discuss concepts and theories with a high degree of precision and reflection

• write and present a subject-related contribution or a contribution to a discussion based on the insights you have acquired during the course

• write texts at a high theoretical level using empirical examples within a stated deadline. The written work must be of an explanatory nature and show a high level of precision and independence

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General knowledge

You will:

• develop the ability to demonstrate a critical, analytical and professionally constructive attitude towards contemporary urban development and the political debate on this

• develop a curious and critical attitude to knowledge and research in this field

Admission to the course

Students who are admitted to study programmes at UiO must each semester register which courses and exams they wish to sign up for in Studentweb.

If you are not already enrolled as a student at UiO, please see our information about admission requirements and procedures.

Students with admission to other relevant master¡¯s degree programmes can apply for admission as guest students.

Master specialisation in didactics for social science in the Teacher Education Programme (Lektorprogrammet) - please see the link for information regarding admission.

Recommended previous knowledge

This course builds on SGO2100 - Bygeografi og urbanisme (Urban geography and urbanism) and SGO3100 - By- og regional utvikling (discontinued) at the bachelor¡¯s level in human geography. However, sitting examinations in these courses is not a prerequisite for taking this course.

Overlapping courses

• 10 credits overlap with SGO4202 ¨C Urbanism - urban policies and planning (continued).
• 10 credits overlap with SGO4012 ¨C Bygeografi (discontinued).

Teaching

Teaching in this course is lecture and seminar based, but also involves excursions, field visits, panel conversations and dialogues with actors working in the field of policy and practice. In the seminars students are expected to prepare for and take part in exercises and discussions.

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Compulsory instruction and coursework

Participation in the seminars is compulsory. Absence is allowed for a maximum of 2 seminars.

It is compulsory to give a presentation of a relevant case, based on field notes or investigations done during the course.

Examination

A 4-hour school exam at the end of the term.

Previous exams and examiner guidelines

Examination support material

No examination support material is allowed.

Language of examination

The examination text is given in English.You may submit your response in Norwegian, Swedish, Danish or English.

Grading scale

Grades are awarded on a scale from A to F, where A is the best grade and F is a fail. Read more about the grading system.

Resit an examination

If you are sick or have another valid reason for not attending the regular exam, we offer a postponed exam later in the same semester.

See also our information about resitting an exam.

More about examinations at UiO

• Use of sources and citations
• How to use AI as a student
• Special exam arrangements due to individual needs
• Withdrawal from an exam
• Illness at exams / postponed exams
• Explanation of grades and appeals
• Resitting an exam
• Cheating/attempted cheating

You will find further guides and resources at the web page on examinations at UiO.