Critical Social Geographies

• Credit value: 30 credits at Level 5
• Convenor: Dr William Ackah
• Assessment: a 1500-word essay (40%) and 2000-word urban photo report (60%)

In this dynamic, forward-facing module we will critically consider social issues of race, class, gender and religion through a focus on the urban environment. Using the city as a site of belonging and contestation, you will engage with a range of urban geographical perspectives and debates focused on explaining and addressing social inequalities in urban contexts.

An important aspect of the module is a field trip to an urban site in London. The assessment includes an urban report, where you can use images, sounds and personal reflections to detail the impact of social inequalities in cities.

Indicative syllabus

• The right to the city
• Class struggle in the city
• Race and racism and the struggle for Black space
• Gendered space in urban contexts
• Religion in the city
• Social justice in the city: quests for diversities and inclusion
• Field trip
• Framing cultures of resistance in urban contexts
• Critical reflections on the city

By the end of this module, you should be able to:

• understand the importance of the city in thinking about contemporary social, political and economic formations
• examine the role of class, race, gender and other social divisions in urban contexts
• understand issues of gentrification and displacement in urban contexts
• explore diverse urban spaces and gain critical insights into their formation and development
• compare and contrast human geography readings and interpretation of the urban from local to global perspectives
• appreciate and critically evaluate the role of urban communities in challenging racism
• explore and gain insight into the significance of religion and spirituality in urban spaces
• demonstrate awareness of the sights, sounds and significance of contemporary landscapes in shaping urban lived experience
• capture and critically reflect upon the lived experiences of diverse communities in urban spaces, utilising urban geographical thought
• demonstrate team-working skills and appreciation of diverse learning methods
• analyse relationships between academic geography, the contemporary university and political action
• understand human geography from a variety of critical perspectives, using the city as the frame of reference.