Units
Population and Urban Studies
Unit code: UDB164
Contact hours: 3 per week
Credit points: 12
Information about fees and unit costs
This unit introduces the students to the demographic, economic, social and physical aspects of our cities to help understand the nature of cities we live in. The topics covered include: demographic and economic changes in cities, theoretical models of cities, issues such as social diversity, gentrification, masterplanned communities, and public spaces in cities.
Availability
| Semester | Available |
|---|---|
| 2013 Semester 2 | Yes |
Offered in these courses
- UD40
Sample subject outline - Semester 2 2013
Note: Subject outlines often change before the semester begins. Below is a sample outline.
Rationale
This unit introduces you to the demographic, social, economic and physical aspects of our cities to help understand the nature of the places we live in and to provide a basis for planning them.
Aims
The aim of this unit is to introduce theory and ideas of cities and changes they are undergoing in terms of demography, economy, society and culture.
Objectives
By the completion of this unit you should be able to:
1. Understand the theories and ideas relating to cities and apply them in specific context;
2. Develop an understanding of demographic changes, economic restructuring and social polarisation in the cities;
3. Bring an awareness of diversity of people, housing and urban landscapes within cities;
4. Understand planning issues facing the cities in Australia.
Content
Major topics to be covered include the evolution of cities, their forms, function, site and situation, and internal structure; world urbanisation trends; urban governance and politics; demographic and economic restructuring of cities; post-modern urbanisation; urban cultural landscapes; gentrification and regeneration; housing and transport; master planned communities; and the greening of cities.
Approaches to Teaching and Learning
Teaching Mode: 3 hours per week
Lecture: Students are required to attend 1 hours of lecture per week
Tutorial: Students are required to attend 2 hours of tutorial per week
The unit will be taught concurrently with UDN552 Population and Urban Studies.
Learning approaches will cover the following:
- Problem based
- Self-learning
- Individual learning
- Team based learning
- Reflective
Assessment
Assessment for this unit involves both independent and collaborative work. Assessment will be based on a mid-term exam, a final research paper and its presentation.Formative and summative feedback will be offered by the teaching staff during the course of lectures and tutorial sessions to assist with assessment items. Formative feedback will occur in the form of face-to-face dialogues and electronic exchanges amongst and between students and teaching staff.
Assessment name:
Mid-term exam
Description:
Individual exam with 50 multiple choice questions.
Relates to objectives:
1, 2, 3
Weight:
40%
Internal or external:
Internal
Group or individual:
Individual
Due date:
Week 7
Assessment name:
Seminar Presentation
Description:
Presentation undertaken individually in tutorials.
Relates to objectives:
1, 2, 3, 4
Weight:
20%
Internal or external:
Internal
Group or individual:
Individual
Due date:
Weeks 11 & 12
Assessment name:
Research Project
Description:
Research project undertaken in groups of 4.
Relates to objectives:
1, 2, 3, 4
Weight:
40%
Internal or external:
Internal
Group or individual:
Group
Due date:
Week 14
Academic Honesty
QUT is committed to maintaining high academic standards to protect the value of its qualifications. To assist you in assuring the academic integrity of your assessment you are encouraged to make use of the support materials and services available to help you consider and check your assessment items. Important information about the university's approach to academic integrity of assessment is on your unit Blackboard site.
A breach of academic integrity is regarded as Student Misconduct and can lead to the imposition of penalties.
Resource materials
Weekly assigned readings will be available on the Course Material Database of the Blackboard site. The Blackboard site is an online location where documents and materials relating to the unit will be uploaded by staff from time to time to assist students. These materials can then be downloaded by students. Notices sent by staff to student emails are also accessible here.
Student Email:
Notices relevant to this unit given outside of lecture times will be sent to students' QUT email address. Please ensure you are enrolled in the unit and use and check your student email account regularly.
Risk assessment statement
There are no out of the ordinary risks associated with this unit. You will undertake lectures and tutorials in the traditional classrooms and lecture theatres. As such, there are no extraordinary workplace health and safety issues associated with these components of the unit.
Additional Costs:
There are no additional costs associated with this unit.
Disclaimer - Offer of some units is subject to viability, and information in these Unit Outlines is subject to change prior to commencement of semester.
Last modified: 20-Jun-2012
