Course code APL280

APL280 Urban Sociology

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Showing course contents for the educational year 2020 - 2021 .

Course responsible: Roberta Cucca
ECTS credits: 5
Faculty: Faculty of Landscape and Society
Teaching language: EN
(NO=norsk, EN=Engelsk)
Limits of class size:
Admission only for BYREG-students. 
Teaching exam periods:
Autumn parallel 
Course frequency: Each year. 
First time: Study year 2020-2021
Preferential right:
M-BYREG
Course contents:
This course introduces students to basic principles of urban sociology and fundamental understanding of the sociological approach to the study of cities and communities. By applying urban theories, quantitative and qualitative research methods, the course provides students critical and practical instruments to consider the social implications of current spatial transformations in cities. The teaching focuses on some specific topics. 1. The effects of the Post-industrial transition on the economic and social structure of the city. 2. Social inequalities in contemporary cities: patterns and trends, between social stability and polarization. 3. Socio-spatial justice in contemporary cities: processes of gentrification, patterns of residential segregation, social mix policies. 4. Housing affordability and the right to the city. 5. Urban sustainability and its social dimension.
Learning outcome:
At the end of the course students have acquired an array of tools and skills they need to conduct field research and to cultivate new ways of interpreting urban settings: 1) to demonstrate a good knowledge of the most relevant theories and topics of urban sociology; 2) to apply theoretical perspectives from urban studies to specific, practical problems and issues connected to urban planning; 3) to select and use appropriate social research methods (both quantitative and qualitative) in scientific investigation; 4) to present results through academic writing; 5) to present the research results through oral communications in class and written reports.
Learning activities:
Lectures, invited speakers, problem-based group discussions, self-study, exercises in academic writing, critical reading of scientific articles, student presentations, research-based project work.
Teaching support:
.
Syllabus:

Sassen, S. (2005) The global city: introducing a concept, The Brown Journal of World Affairs, XI, 2, pp. 26-43

Florida, R. (2005) Cities and the Creative Class. City and Community, 2, 1, pp. 3-19

Kazepov Y., Cucca R.  (2019) European Cities, in Orum A et Al. (Ed), in "The Wiley-Blackwell Encyclopedia of Urban and Regional Studies", Wiley Blackwell Oxford UK https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/book/10.1002/9781118568446https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/book/10.1002/9781118568446

López-Morales E. (2019), Gentrification, in Orum A et Al. (Ed), in "The Wiley-Blackwell Encyclopedia of Urban and Regional Studies", Wiley Blackwell Oxford UK,  DOI: 10.1002/9781118568446.eurs0118

Maloutas, T. (2012) Contextual Diversity in Gentrification Research. Critical Sociology. 38. 33-48. 10.1177/0896920510380950.

Andersen, B., & Røe, P. G. (2017). The social context and politics of large scale urban architecture: Investigating the design of Barcode, Oslo. European Urban and Regional Studies, 24(3), 304-317. https://doi.org/10.1177/0969776416643751https://doi.org/10.1177/0969776416643751

Rasse A. (2019), Spatial Segregation, in Orum A et Al. (Ed), in "The Wiley-Blackwell Encyclopedia of Urban and Regional Studies", Wiley Blackwell Oxford UK, DOI: 10.1002/9781118568446.eurs0312

Musterd S. (forthcoming), Segregation, Neighbourhood Effects, and Social Mix Policies, in Kazepov et Al. "handbook of Urban Social Policies", Edward Elgar Publishing

Cucca R. (2020) , Spatial segregation and the quality of the local environment in contemporary cities, in Musterd S. (Ed.) "Handbook of Urban Segregation", Edward Elgar Publishing, 185-199

Andersen B. & Skrede J. (2017) Planning for a sustainable Oslo: the challenge of turning urban theory into practice, Local Environment, 22:5, 581-594, DOI:10.1080/13549839.2016.1236783

Prerequisites:
Minimum requirements for entrance to higher education in Norway (general admission)
Recommended prerequisites:
.
Mandatory activity:
Attendance is obligatory (min. 80% of attendance of lectures, seminars and group discussion within the class; fieldwork). 
Assessment:

Two assignments: 1) written examination on urban sociology theories (1 hour); 2) research-based project work on current socio-spatial changes in Oslo.

Continuous exam: A-F.

Nominal workload:
150 hours
Type of course:
30 hours Lecture seminars / 30 hours self-study / 90 hours group project work
Examiner:
The responsible teacher evaluates the written examination. The external censor evaluates and grades the project group assignments
Examination details: :