SP415 Half Unit
Urbanisation and Social Policy in the Global South
This information is for the 2022/23 session.
Teacher responsible
Dr Sunil Kumar OLD.2.62
Availability
This course is available on the MSc in Development Management, MSc in Development Studies, MSc in International Social and Public Policy, MSc in International Social and Public Policy (Development), MSc in International Social and Public Policy (ÐÓ°ÉÂÛ̳ and Fudan), MSc in International Social and Public Policy (Migration), MSc in International Social and Public Policy (Non-Governmental Organisations) and MSc in International Social and Public Policy (Research). This course is available with permission as an outside option to students on other programmes where regulations permit.
All Social Policy Courses are ‘Controlled Access’. Please see the link below for further details on the allocation process.
Some knowledge of or experience of dealing with urban issues is desirable. To apply for a place on this course, prospective students will have to write a 150-word statement as to: (i) why they would like to take this course - 40 words; (ii) what they can bring to the course - 80 words, and (iii) how they intend to use the knowledge gained (for example, for their dissertation or future employment or research) - 30 words.
Pre-requisites
Some exposure to urban challenges in the so-called Global South/North is desirable.
Course content
The course critically explores the challenges and opportunities that urbanisation and urban transformations pose in the social, spatial, economic, institutional and political realms in the urban Global South. A plurality of theoretical and conceptual perspectives informing contemporary policies and planning practices are explored each week.
Some of the themes explored in the course are, urbanisation, urbanism and social change, theories of urbanisation and urban change, internal migration and the rural-urban interface, urban poverty and livelihoods, urban labour markets and livelihoods, urban housing and tenure, urban basic services, urban governance, and urban social movements and collective action. Cross-cutting themes such as gender and the role of civil society are also explored.
Prospective students must be willing to commit themselves to full participation in all aspects of the course, including an element of art. They will be required to read selected readings before the lecture, read and discuss the essential readings for the weekly seminars, and read more widely a