52675 Investigating Urban Change
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particular session, location and mode of offering is the authoritative source
of all information about the subject for that offering. Required texts, recommended texts and references in particular are likely to change. Students will be provided with a subject outline once they enrol in the subject.
Subject handbook information prior to 2024 is available in the Archives.
Credit points: 6 cp
Result type: Grade and marks
Requisite(s): (16 credit points of completed study in spk(s): MAJ10049 Social and Political Sciences Major OR 12 credit points of completed study in spk(s): MAJ09476 48cp Social and Political Sciences Major)) OR ((48 credit points of completed study in spk(s): C10446 Bachelor of Criminology OR 48 credit points of completed study in spk(s): C10447 Bachelor of Criminology Bachelor of International Studies OR 48 credit points of completed study in spk(s): C10448 Bachelor of Criminology Bachelor of Forensic Science OR 48 credit points of completed study in spk(s): C10472 Bachelor of Criminology Bachelor of Cybersecurity OR 48 credit points of completed study in spk(s): C10478 Bachelor of Psychology Bachelor of Criminology)
Anti-requisite(s): 54053 Investigating for Change
Description
What makes for sustainable and socially just cities in an era of climate change and growing inequality? In this subject, students learn how to investigate change in urban environments, examining the politics and social implications of development, gentrification and population movements. Students design and conduct a survey to gauge how local urban changes affect the lives of residents. Survey method enables students to understand the uses and limitations of larger-scale research. Students analyse their survey results using statistical analysis software, developing confidence in quantitative research methods.
Subject learning objectives (SLOs)
| a. | Undertake quantitative research, and mobilise resulting empirical data for social analysis |
|---|---|
| b. | Synthesise empirical data with scholarly reading |
| c. | Reflect on the value and ethics of quantitative research methods for investigating social issues |
| d. | Collaborate with others to organise and present information |
| e. | Communicate clearly, in written and verbal formats |
Course intended learning outcomes (CILOs)
This subject engages with the following Course Intended Learning Outcomes (CILOs), which are tailored to the Graduate Attributes set for all graduates of the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences:
- Act in a professional manner appropriate to communication industries (1.1)
- Apply theoretically informed understandings of communication industries to independent and collaborative projects across a range of media (1.2)
- Employ appropriate research and inquiry skills to independently gather, organise and analyse information across diverse platforms (2.1)
- Act as reflexive critical thinkers and innovative creative practitioners who evaluate their own and others' work (2.2)
- Exemplify effective and appropriate communication in different communication industry contexts (6.1)
- Utilise digital literacy and production skills across a range of media (6.2)
Teaching and learning strategies
This subject consists of a combination of lectures, tutorials, labs, and online activities. Independent student reading is the basis for active, collaborative learning supported by online and open education resources. Face-to-face classes incorporate a range of teaching and learning strategies including discussion of readings, case studies, debates, data analysis labs, and student group work. Tutorials and assignments provide opportunities for students to deepen their knowledge through critical analysis, creative, self-directed, and collaborative inquiry, library and digital research, and through giving and receiving constructive feedback. Formative feedback is provided during the first half of the session, via informal class quizzes and other activities.
Content (topics)
In this subject, students undertake quantitative research on a social issue relating to urban change. In the first half of the session, students examine topical issues including urban development, gentrification, and population movements. In the second half, they choose one or more of these issues and design and conduct a resident survey in a local area of Sydney. Classes cover the survey method and introduce students to data analysis software.
Assessment
Assessment task 1: Statistical Analysis
| Objective(s): | a, b and e | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Weight: | 30% | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Length: | 750 words | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Criteria linkages: |
SLOs: subject learning objectives CILOs: course intended learning outcomes |
Assessment task 2: Group Presentation
| Objective(s): | a, c, d and e | ||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Weight: | 30% | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Length: | 15 minutes per group | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Criteria linkages: |
SLOs: subject learning objectives CILOs: course intended learning outcomes |
Assessment task 3: Report
| Weight: | 40% |
|---|---|
| Length: | 2,000 words |
Minimum requirements
Attendance at classes is essential in this subject. Classes are based on a collaborative approach that involves essential work-shopping and interchange of ideas with other students and the tutor. A roll will be taken at each class. Students who have more than two absences from class will be refused final assessment (see Rule 3.8).
Required texts
As noted in the weekly program in the Subject Outline
References
Bounds, M., and Morris, A. 2006, ‘Second wave gentrification in inner-city Sydney.’ Cities vol. 23, no. 2, pp. 99-108.
Bhutta, C.B., 2012, ‘Not by the book: Facebook as a sampling frame’, Sociological Methods & Research, vol. 41, no. 1, pp. 57-88.
De Vaus, D. 2002, Chapter 12: ‘Overview of Analysis’, in Surveys in Social Research, 5th ed, Allen & Unwin, Sydney.
Giddens, A. 2009, ‘Cities and Urban Life: Theorizing Urbanism’ in Sociology, 6th ed, Polity, Cambridge, pp. 206-217.
Hall, R. 2008, Chapter 22: ‘Communicating applied research findings’ in Applied Social Research: Planning, designing and conducting real-world research, Palgrave Macmillan, Melbourne, pp. 273-279.
Madden, D. & Marcuse, P. 2016, Chapter 1: 'Against the Commodification of Housing', In Defense of Housing: The politics of crisis, Verso, London
Nelson, J. & Ho, C. 2020, ‘Multicultural Cities’, in Rogers, D. et al (eds), Understanding Urbanism, Palgrave Macmillan, pp 135-149.
O’Leary, Z. 2005. ‘Selecting Appropriate Data Collection Methods’ in Researching Real-World Problems: A Guide to Methods of Inquiry, Sage, Los Angeles, pp. 98-119.
Putnam, R. 2000, Chapter 1: ‘Thinking about Social Change in America’, in Bowling Alone: The collapse and revival of American community, Simon & Schuster, New York, pp. 15-28.