European Cities

GEOG40652 European Cities 15 Semester 1 Undergraduate Level 3 Helen Wilson Unit coordinator Geography 1 FHEQ level (Framework for Higher Education Qualifications) ' Last part of a Bachelors ' European Credit Transfer & Accumulation System Rating : 7.5 European cities have always been central to the study of urban change. From the development of urban cultures of modernity from the mid-nineteenth century through to debates concerning the effects of the recent economic crisis and the rise in anti-European sentiment, the course will critically examine how socio-cultural, economic and political changes have shaped European cities. Beginning with an account of European urbanisms, the course will ask what makes the European city distinctive in both its design and development and its socio-cultural fabric. In so doing, and through looking at hallmark accounts of the modern metropolis, from Benjamin’s Parisian ‘flaneur’ through to Simmel’s interpretations of fin-de-siècle Berlin, the course will consider how writings on the European city have informed urban enquiry and the study of urban experience, culture and heritage. Alongside a consideration of how European cities have informed urban theory, the course will question how the political landscape of Europe has shaped its cities. As debates roll on about the future stability of the Eurozone, this will include looking at the construction of the ‘European project’ and the effects of ‘Europeanisation’, which includes ongoing arguments about the cultural boundaries of Europe and the place of religion. It will also consider how war has shaped the European city, from the politics of memory in postwar Europe and the transformation of post-Socialist cities, through to the urban destruction of the Bosnian war as an important example of the deliberate and violent destruction of buildings and the urban fabric. Finally, the course will address a series of key socio-cultural issues. As the economic crisis continues, questions have also been raised about the rise of nationalisms, far-right populisms and the so-called ‘backlash’ against multiculturalism across the continent. As such, the course will critically examine geographies of difference in the context of the European city and will interrogate the European Commission’s ‘Intercultural Cities’ project as one way of managing diversity in urban Europe. At the same time, whilst the continent continues to address the ongoing challenges of living with difference, recent protests have highlighted the persistence of inequality and social exclusion. Utilising a series of case studies, such as the protests in Athens and the European eXperimentcity network, the course will look at the politics of resistance and the rise of insurgent public spaces where conventional politics is being challenged and new claims to the city are being made. As such, the course will cover a range of city case studies (e.g. Amsterdam, Athens, Berlin, Istanbul, Kiev, Moscow, Paris, Sarajevo, Sofia, Vienna, Warsaw), socio-political events (e.g. the fall of the Berlin Wall, the Norway massacre, the assassination of Pim Fortuyn, the ongoing political fallout in Ukraine) and a number of theoretical concepts (e.g. cosmopolitanism, urban materialities, insurgency and urbicide). European cities have always been central to the study of urban change. From the development of urban cultures of modernity from the mid-nineteenth century through to debates concerning the effects of the recent economic crisis and the rise in anti-European sentiment, the course will critically examine how socio-cultural, economic and political changes have shaped European cities. Beginning with an account of European urbanisms, the course will ask what makes the European city distinctive in both its design and development and its socio-cultural fabric. In so doing, and through looking at hallmark accounts of the modern metropolis, from Benjamin’s Parisian ‘flaneur’ through to Simmel’s interpretations of fin-de-siècle Berlin, the course will consider how writings on the European city have informed urban enquiry and the study of urban experience, culture and heritage. Alongside a consideration of how European cities have informed urban theory, the course will question how the political landscape of Europe has shaped its cities. As debates roll on about the future stability of the Eurozone, this will include looking at the construction of the ‘European project’ and the effects of ‘Europeanisation’, which includes ongoing arguments about the cultural boundaries of Europe and the place of religion. It will also consider how war has shaped the European city, from the politics of memory in postwar Europe and the transformation of post-Socialist cities, through to the urban destruction of the Bosnian war as an important example of the deliberate and violent destruction of buildings and the urban fabric. Finally, the course will address a series of key socio-cultural issues. As the economic crisis continues, questions have also been raised about the rise of nationalisms, far-right populisms and the so-called ‘backlash’ against multiculturalism across the continent. As such, the course will critically examine geographies of difference in the context of the European city and will interrogate the European Commission’s ‘Intercultural Cities’ project as one way of managing diversity in urban Europe. At the same time, whilst the continent continues to address the ongoing challenges of living with difference, recent protests have highlighted the persistence of inequality and social exclusion. Utilising a series of case studies, such as the protests in Athens and the European eXperimentcity network, the course will look at the politics of resistance and the rise of insurgent public spaces where conventional politics is being challenged and new claims to the city are being made. As such, the course will cover a range of city case studies (e.g. Amsterdam, Athens, Berlin, Istanbul, Kiev, Moscow, Paris, Sarajevo, Sofia, Vienna, Warsaw), socio-political events (e.g. the fall of the Berlin Wall, the Norway massacre, the assassination of Pim Fortuyn, the ongoing political fallout in Ukraine) and a number of theoretical concepts (e.g. cosmopolitanism, urban materialities, insurgency and urbicide). • To examine how writings on the European city have informed urban theory and inquiry. • To critically examine how European cities have been shaped by economic, political and socio-cultural transformations; • To theorize the emergence and restructuring of the European city in the context of political and economic change; • To examine a range of socio-cultural urban geographies through European city cases. By the end of the course unit, you should be able to: • Demonstrate an understanding of the different theoretical perspectives through which the transformation of European cities are understood; • Demonstrate an appreciation of the social and cultural geographies of European cities; • Demonstrate an ability to situate key political events within wider geographical debates on European cities. • Illustrate your arguments with examples and case studies drawn from European cities.   • Critical thinking, reflection and self-awareness; • Information handling skills, evaluation and analysis of different kinds of evidence; • An ability to assess the merits of contrasting theories, explanations and their policy implications; • An ability to develop, articulate and sustain structured and reasoned written and oral arguments; • An ability to structure and present material in creative ways; • Inter-personal and group working skills; • Motivation and self-directed learning; • Awareness of your responsibility as a global citizen. 01: Introduction: European urbanisms 02: The modern metropolis 03. Capitals of culture and heritage 04: Europeanisation, Brussels and the ‘crisis’ 05: Cities of difference: immigration, multiculturalism and the backlash 06: Study week 07: Social exclusion and insurgent public space 08: Urban change and memory 09: Urbicide – the destruction of the European city? 10: Post-socialist cities 11: Conclusion – European futures12: Study week The course unit will be delivered through a combination of lectures and seminars – a two hour lecture and a one hour seminar each week. The lecture sessions will be interactive and include a variety of individual and group activities. Each seminar will be based upon either; a) student-led discussions of pre-circulated readings. Students will be expected to read at least two papers per week for these discussions and to present their thoughts and reflections on these papers at the weekly seminar; b) student-led discussions of policy documents or media sources related to the course; or c) the showing of films relevant to the course themes and their subsequent discussion. A high level of student participation will be required from all students throughout the course. One seminar session will also be dedicated to the course assessment. 0 Other 100% This course is not assessed by an examination paper.    Feedback will be provided in the following ways during this course unit: • extensive verbal feedback through Q&A, discussion and interactive activities within lectures and seminars; • verbal feedback on any course unit issue through consultation hours; • ongoing peer feedback through peer study group meetings; • detailed written feedback on the coursework assignments. Y Preliminary readingAmin, A. (2004) Multi-ethnicity and the idea of Europe, Theory Culture & Society 21:1-24. Baeten, G. (2001) The Europeanization of Brussels and the urbanization of 'Europe' - Hybridizing the city. Empowerment and disempowerment in the EU district. European Urban and Regional Studies, 8, 117-130 Beck, U. and Grande, E. (2007) Cosmopolitan Europe. Cambridge: Polity Press. Coward, M. (2009) Urbicide: The Politics of Urban Destruction London: Routledge. Frisby, D. (2001) Cityscapes of Modernity. Cambridge: Polity Press. Hirt, S. (2012) Iron Curtains: Gates, Suburbs and Privatization of Space in the Post-Socialist City. Oxford: Wiley-Blackwell. Göktürk, D., ¿Soysal, S., ¿Türeli, I. (2010) Orienting Istanbul: Cultural Capital of Europe? London, RoutledgeMills, A. (2010) Streets of memory: landscape, tolerance, and national identity in Istanbul. Athens: University of Georgia Press. Till, K. E. (2005) The New Berlin: memory, politics, place. Minneapolis: University of Minnesota Press. Vertovec, S. and Wessendorf, S. (eds.) (2009) The Multiculturalism backlash: European discourses policies and practices. London: Routledge.Key Journals: The majority of the lecture readings for this course will be in the form of journal articles. These are journals that you will encounter a number of times over the course. You should familiarise yourself with them. Cultural Geographies European Journal of Cultural Studies International Journal of Urban and Regional Research Social and Cultural Geography Urban Geography Urban Studies eAssessment 2 Lectures 20 Seminars 10 118 Timetable Comprises of Lectures and Seminars. Please refer to course content information for further details. Lecture: Tuesday 11am - 1pm, Zochonis Building Theatre A.Seminar: Thursday 3-4pm or 4-5pm University Place 5.11