87649 - Urban Studies And Climate Change

Learning outcomes

The course introduces students to the emerging field of urban studies connected to climate change issue. At the end of the course, students will have a knowledge about: 1) the relationship between two global driving forces: urbanization and climate change; 2) different theoretical and methodological tools to explore how the transformation of cities facing climate change is being understood, managed and achieved; 3) Different approaches promoting more sustainable and resilient forms of urbanization and urban life.

Course contents

Climate change and unprecedented planetary urbanization remain two of the most urgent issues of our time, reshaping societies. Climate change has worldwide implications -from the exacerbation of urban inequalities, to the loss of environmental, social and economic security. In this regard, sustainable urbanisation has moved more and more to the forefront of policy agendas and research.

Using several theoretical approaches and epirical studies, the course will analyze 1) forms and impact of urbanization processes; 2)  how climate change impacts different social groups in our urban systems; 3) Post-carbon cities: adaptation and mitigation strategies being currently implemented.

 

Lessons take place in the first semester.

Readings/Bibliography

Connolly, J. J. (2019). From Jacobs to the Just City: A foundation for challenging the green planning orthodoxy. Cities, 91, 64-70. (article)

Haarstad, H., Kjærås, K., Røe, P. G., & Tveiten, K. (2023). Diversifying the compact city: A renewed agenda for geographical research. Dialogues in Human Geography, 13(1), 5-24. (article)

Klinenberg E. (2002), Heat Wave: A Social Autopsy of Disaster in Chicago, Chicago, The University of Chicago Press. (book)

Klinenberg E.,Araos M.,Koslov L. (2020) Sociology and the Climate Crisis, Annual Review of Sociology 46, 649-69. (article)

Teaching methods

Class meetings will combine lecture and discussion.

Assessment methods

For attending students, the exam can take place in two alternative ways:

1. On the basis of a theme agreed with the lecturer during the course, develop, individually or in groups:

- a presentation to the class (15/20 minutes + collective discussion at the end of the course) +

- a final paper (individual paper: 20-22 pages analytical sheet in 12-point font, double spacing/team paper: 30-35 pages analytical sheet in 12-point font, double spacing)

Alternatively:

2. Oral exam on the course bibliography

For NON-attending students, the assessment of learning consists of an oral exam, in one of the official sessions, on the entire program of the course.

Three official exam dates will be set for the winter session in January and February 2024.

Those who attend 70% of the lessons are considered attending students.

 

Appropriate language with respect to the specificity of the discipline, ability to deepen and connect the main topics covered in the course will give rise to evaluations of excellence. Correct language, mnemonic knowledge of the contents and relative ability to connect the topics covered will give rise to discrete evaluations. Inappropriate language, the presence of some training gaps but the achievement of a minimum knowledge of the topics covered will give rise to sufficient evaluations. Lack of orientation within the topics addressed in the exam texts, inappropriate language and training gaps will give rise to negative evaluations. The student's ability to know how to move within the bibliographic material indicated in the exam program will be positively evaluated, as well as an organic vision of the topics addressed and the possession of an expressive and language mastery.

 

For students who do not have a sociological background, the following readings can provide a starting point for tackling the course and are therefore recommended:

Wirth, L. (1938). Urbanism as a lifestyle. American journal of sociology, 44(1), 1-24.

Klinenberg, E. (2013). Adaptation. The New Yorker. January 7, 32-37. Available online https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2013/01/07/adaptation-eric-klinenberg

Slater, T. (2011). Gentrification of the city. New Blackwell's Companion to the City, 571-585. Available online

 

 

Teaching tools

Slides presentation, videos, websites.

The slides presented at class will be available during the course.

Office hours

See the website of Alessandra Landi