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58594-01 - Course: Critical Urbanisms: Introduction & Orientation (3 CP)
| Semester | fall semester 2025 |
| Course frequency | Every fall sem. |
| Lecturers |
Maren Larsen (maren.larsen@unibas.ch)
Nancy Odendaal (nancy.odendaal@unibas.ch, Assessor) |
| Content | This course introduces students to selected current debates in critical urban studies generally, and to themes that frame the Masters in Critical Urbanisms in particular. In order to explain why urban problems persist or how cities change the way they do, observers often rely on unspoken assumptions, theoretical constructs, or inherited perspectives. Their explanations, in turn, are used by a range of actors to legitimize policies or to mobilize forms of intervention. The way a problem is defined shapes the approaches that actors mobilize in response. Critical approaches to urban studies therefore require us not only to account for the complexity of urban realities but also interrogate the various ways in which people make sense of them. Drawing from the disciplines of geography, architecture, law, political science, history, and anthropology, this course explores the relationship between urban challenges, urban theories, and urban practices. Students will learn to unpack and explicate ways of seeing and making sense of cities and landscapes, and explore how research paradigms bear on specific theories as well as practices and lived experience. Our goal is to explore the “real-world” work of theory and the ways it can help reframe urban challenges and shape alternative modes of engagement. |
| Learning objectives | This interdisciplinary course pursues three interrelated learning outcomes. The first is to develop an understanding of contemporary debates and approaches in critical urban studies. In doing so, students will also develop an ability to raise and discuss methodological questions. Together, these learning outcomes lay the foundation for developing the ability to discuss and situate urban debates within the variegated global landscape of knowledge production in and about cities and urban territories. |
| Comments | **** Important note**** For all Spring FS2025 students and Newly admitted HS2025 students: Please do not forget to register for this course in a timely manner - and no later than 8th September, please. As this course also provides some excursions and events the number of students attending is essential for planning purposes. Furthermore, there is a significant load of preparatory reading for each student to complete before the start of this course. Please have a careful read through the syllabus here: TBC - If you could not register officially yet, please send an email to jennifer.felsenberg@unibas.ch to receive the readings in advance of the class. |
| Admission requirements | This course is for First Year Master Students in Critical Urbanisms only. |
| Language of instruction | English |
| Use of digital media | No specific media used |
| Interval | Weekday | Time | Room |
|---|---|---|---|
| täglich | See individual dates | ||
Dates
| Date | Time | Room |
|---|---|---|
| Monday 15.09.2025 | 09.00-17.00 | Petersplatz 14/ Hebelstrasse 3, Grosser Hörsaal E016 |
| Tuesday 16.09.2025 | 09.00-17.00 | Petersplatz 14/ Hebelstrasse 3, Grosser Hörsaal E016 |
| Wednesday 17.09.2025 | 09.00-17.00 | Petersplatz 14/ Hebelstrasse 3, Grosser Hörsaal E016 |
| Thursday 18.09.2025 | 09.00-17.00 | Petersplatz 14/ Hebelstrasse 3, Grosser Hörsaal E016 |
| Friday 19.09.2025 | 09.00-17.00 | Petersplatz 14/ Hebelstrasse 3, Grosser Hörsaal E016 |
| Modules |
Module: Introduction to Critical Urbanisms (Master's degree program: Critical Urbanisms) |
| Assessment format | continuous assessment |
| Assessment registration/deregistration | Reg.: course registration; dereg.: not required |
| Repeat examination | no repeat examination |
| Scale | Pass / Fail |
| Repeated registration | as often as necessary |
| Responsible faculty | Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, studadmin-philhist@unibas.ch |
| Offered by | Fachbereich Urban Studies |