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59013-01 - Seminar: Theory in Urban Studies (3 CP)
| Semester | fall semester 2025 |
| Course frequency | Irregular |
| Lecturers | Maren Larsen (maren.larsen@unibas.ch, Assessor) |
| Content | This seminar explores current theories at debates at the heart of the discipline we call urban studies. Through guided and fine-grained reading, students in the course will explore crosscutting themes and debates in urban theory related (but not limited) to the southern critique, the postcolonial critique, the feminist critique, and critiques of capitalism. Our central goal is to gain an overview of debates in urban theory and to selectively explore the broader theoretical traditions being brought to bear on urban research. Rather than conceiving of theory as somehow hovering above reality or disciplinary purviews and therefore universally applicable to urban analysis, this course situates theoretical production in the specific intellectual, material, and geographical contexts from which it emerges. Central to this course are debates the constitute and contest the emergence of “global urbanism.” The first half of the course is dedicated to tackling current debates that position efforts to theorize urbanity, urbanism, and urbanization against calls for new directions that broaden, provincialize, re-territorialize, and globalize research in and of the urban. The second half of the course explores urban theory as it has emerged from different thematic and disciplinary entry points. Students will also be given the space to explore a theme/set of debates and learn to distinguish the theoretical discussions and traditions influencing and emanating from urban research around their topic. |
| Learning objectives | Learning Outcomes: - An understanding of current theoretical debates in and for urban studies - An ability to contextualize theoretical arguments and situate their claims within the inter-discipline of urban studies - An ability comment upon, revise, and re-purpose theory for the argument of an urban research project |
| Comments | The course is open to Master students from other programs with a priority for MA Students in Critical Urbanisms and in Changing Societies on timely registration. |
| Admission requirements | Anmelden: Belegen ; Abmelden: nicht erforderlich Recommended for Critical Urbanisms Master students and Urban Studies PhD students |
| Language of instruction | English |
| Use of digital media | No specific media used |
| Interval | Weekday | Time | Room |
|---|---|---|---|
| wöchentlich | Thursday | 13.15-15.00 | Kollegienhaus, Seminarraum 212 |
Dates
| Date | Time | Room |
|---|---|---|
| Thursday 25.09.2025 | 13.15-15.00 | Kollegienhaus, Seminarraum 212 |
| Thursday 02.10.2025 | 13.15-15.00 | Kollegienhaus, Seminarraum 212 |
| Thursday 09.10.2025 | 13.15-15.00 | Kollegienhaus, Seminarraum 212 |
| Thursday 16.10.2025 | 13.15-15.00 | Kollegienhaus, Seminarraum 212 |
| Thursday 23.10.2025 | 13.15-15.00 | Kollegienhaus, Seminarraum 212 |
| Thursday 30.10.2025 | 13.15-15.00 | Kollegienhaus, Seminarraum 212 |
| Thursday 06.11.2025 | 13.15-15.00 | Kollegienhaus, Seminarraum 212 |
| Thursday 13.11.2025 | 13.15-15.00 | Kollegienhaus, Seminarraum 212 |
| Thursday 20.11.2025 | 13.15-15.00 | Kollegienhaus, Seminarraum 212 |
| Thursday 27.11.2025 | 13.15-15.00 | Kollegienhaus, Seminarraum 212 |
| Thursday 04.12.2025 | 13.15-15.00 | Kollegienhaus, Seminarraum 212 |
| Thursday 11.12.2025 | 13.15-15.00 | Kollegienhaus, Seminarraum 212 |
| Thursday 18.12.2025 | 13.15-15.00 | Kollegienhaus, Seminarraum 212 |
| Modules |
Doktorat Urban Studies: Empfehlungen (PhD subject: Urban Studies) Modul: Methoden der Near & Middle Eastern Studies und der Gesellschaftswissenschaften (Master's degree subject: Near & Middle Eastern Studies) Modul: Transfer: Europa interdisziplinär (Master's degree program: European History in Global Perspective) Module: Fields: Knowledge Production and Transfer (Master's degree program: African Studies) Module: Interdisciplinary and Applied African Studies (Master's degree program: African Studies) Module: The Urban across Disciplines (Master's degree program: Critical Urbanisms) |
| Assessment format | continuous assessment |
| Assessment details | Pass/Fail |
| 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 |