Saint-Louis University - Bruxelles
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HDPO1316 - Transformations and urban politics



Credits : 5

Lecturer :
Mode of delivery :
Face-to-face , first term, 30 hours of theory.

Timetable :
First term
Tuesday from 17:15 to 19:15 at 43 Botanique 6

Language of instruction :
French

Learning outcomes :
Based on the notion that there is an intrinsic link between society and space and that the two must be considered together, the objectives of the course are:

1. To provide an overview of the major urban transformations from the origins of the city until today;
2. To understand the fabric of space as a support for action, an instrument of action and a social product;
3. To define some of the challenges of contemporary urban policies.

Prerequisites :
For the Bachelor in Information and Communication :

For the Bachelor in Philosophy :

For the Bachelor in Political Sciences: General :

For the Bachelor in Political Sciences: General (Evening Programme) :

For the Bachelor in Sociology and Anthropology :


Co-requisites :
None

Course contents :
The field of research referred to in this course is that of 'urban studies', in which different disciplines play a specific role (urban sociology, political science, urban economy, geography, demography, etc.).

There shall be a special focus on:

- the geo-historical dimension;

- field studies (in Brussels in particular), in order to obtain valuable insight on concrete phenomena; and

- the contribution of theoretical tools via successive interventions, allowing an analysis of urban phenomena.

This course is aimed at different audiences (students in political science, sociology, anthropology, economics, information and communication, etc.) and examines the urban phenomenon from a social sciences perspective as well as from an arts perspective (cinema, photography, visual arts, literature, etc.), thus initiating a truly multi- and inter-disciplinary approach.


Planned learning activities and teaching methods :
Each student is expected to be actively involved all along the course. This includes participation in complementary activities (outside the classroom) and readings.

Assessment methods and criteria :
There shall be an oral exam which shall include:
- a question on the course (10 pts), including the course notes, slides and videos, presentation and the book by F. Braudel, La dynamique du capitalisme, Flammarion, Champs histoire, 2008, 121 p.;
- a brief presentation/discussion of the written work (6 pages, 15.000 signs spaces not included, appendices excluded) provided at the exam, discussing a research question in relation to the issues discussed in the course and fed by (at least) one complementary activity (if possible), chosen from the list of activities (see Moodle) or elsewhere, and (at least) two scientific readings chosen by the student from the list of suggested references (possibility for other suggestions).


Recommended or required reading :
F. Braudel, La dynamique du capitalisme, Flammarion, Champs histoire, 2008, 121 p.
Complete bibliography in the course notes provided to the students.