The city & the country: processes of conflict & changes

Module Identifier: GS10220
Module Title: The city & the country: processes of conflict & changes
Academic Year: 2027/2028
Semester: Semester 1
Co-ordinator: Rhys Dafydd Jones
Reading List: View on Aspire
Exclusive (Any Acad Year): DA10520
Other Staff: Dr Jesse Heley; Dr Bethany Simmonds; Dr Gareth Hoskins

Assessment

Assessment Type	Assessment details	Proportion
Semester Assessment	Essay: 1500 Words	50%
Semester Assessment	End of module assessment: (to be submitted to Blackboard).	50%
Supplementary Assessment	Essay: 1500 Words	50%
Supplementary Assessment	End of module assessment: (to be submitted to Blackboard).	50%

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this module students should be able to:

Identify and explain the key processes shaping contemporary urban and rural change.
Evaluate the key processes shaping contemporary urban and rural change.
Apply a range of relevant theoretical and conceptual literatures to explain urban and rural change.
Evaluate the policy implications emerging from such changes.
Demonstrate the skills of critical reading, interpretation and evaluation.

Brief description

This module examines the ways in which geographers and other social scientists have understood and explored urban and rural spaces, and the connections between them. These approaches are examined through the context of economic, demographic, social, and cultural changes in both urban and rural settings. Such changes have often brought conflict around the meaning attributed to urban and rural spaces, and the people, values, and behaviour the 'belong' there. The module also considers how tension is manifested in different forms, and strategies for more harmonious coexistence.

Content

The module is divided into two substantive parts: The City and The Countryside. Each part contains 8 x 1-hour lectures and 2 x 1-hour seminars. ‘The City’ will cover themes including urban design and planning, changing urban economies, changing urban populations, and urban governance. ‘The Country’ will cover themes including agricultural change, changing rural economies, rural preservation and conservation, and rural population change and diversity. Short introductory and concluding sections will be held in the first and final weeks, covering induction, definitions and approaches to urban and rural studies, and policy implications.

The module consists of 20 x 1-hour lectures and fortnightly 1-hour seminars (n=5) to support student engagement with content, assignment preparation, and skills.

Module skills

Skills type	Skills details
Application of Number	Not explicitly, although this may well come into course content on occasion.
Communication	Yes; written communication skills for the assessments; oral communication skills through class discussions etc.
Improving own Learning and Performance	Yes, through practical sessions attached to the module focussed on supporting content and study skills.
Information Technology	Yes, through the production of the coursework and making use of VLEs
Personal Development and Career planning	Yes, with applied knowledge
Problem solving	Yes, through course content (e.g. defining urban and rural spaces; examining policy implications)
Research skills	Yes, through engaging with current research to prepare the essay and end of module assessment.
Subject Specific Skills	Yes, engagement with current theoretical ideas underpinning current debates in urban and rural geography.
Team work	Yes, through small group discussions in class

Notes

This module is at CQFW Level 4