Module Catalogue 2025/26

Pre Requisite Comment

If you are a stage 3 student, you must take the pre-requisite stage 2 module.

Co Requisite Comment

If you are a stage 2 student, you must take the co-requisite stage 2 module.

Aims

The Barcelona field course aims to provide students with an opportunity to study critically through a range of research methods the urban geographies of a major European city. In particular, students are encouraged to examine practices, processes and projects of urban re-development and urban sustainability.

Outline Of Syllabus

•       Phase One (Term 2):
o       Introductory Lectures
o       Preparatory group work
•       Phase Two:
•       If risk assessment permits field trip:
o       Week-long field trip
o       Assessed Group work
•       If risk assessment DOES NOT permit field trip:
o       Virtual Urban sustainability class consisting of:
o       Guest lectures
o       Film screenings
o       Clinics
o       Online group work
o       Online group research presentations
•       Phase three (Term 3):
o       Individual assessed essay

Intended Knowledge Outcomes

An empirically and conceptually rich critical understanding of the contemporary challenges of urban sustainability in terms of urban economy, quality of life, justice and nature.

Students will develop a critical awareness of the role of discourses, technologies and practices of urban sustainability in shaping everyday life and it’s environmental impacts.

Students may choose to focus on sustainability of energy, transport, food systems or other aspects of urban sustainability.

Students will develop a critical understanding of the experiences of Barcelona in the context of wider debates about geographies of economic and environmental sustainability in a global and European context.

Knowledge of and ability to evaluate a range of methodologies for researching the city in human geography.

Intended Skill Outcomes

•       Ability to work with others to gain information from experts, field visits and other sources.
•       Ability to discuss field observations with peers, connecting these to academic literatures
•       Ability to work on own initiative to follow up themes and issues introduced on the field course
•       Ability to work with peers to produce a collaborative presentation
•       Ability to reflect on learning in the field

Teaching Rationale And Relationship

The preliminary lectures will serve as an introduction to Barcelona, the relevant urban sustainability and urban development concepts as well as the practicalities of studying in the field.

Fieldwork projects in Barcelona will be student-led and will be supported by study visits, guest talks and lectures, structured workshops and seminars.

Students are expected to be proactive in taking full advantage of the learning opportunities in the field trip, and to represent the University positively at all times. Students will be given a timetable for the week on arrival and must attend and participate in every scheduled session. Misconduct conduct or lack of attendance, particularly where it is linked with alcohol or substance use, may lead to disciplinary action.

On return to the UK, students should dedicate time to further reading for and production of the assessed written work.

Assessment Rationale And Relationship

Group presentations presented at a student research conference at the end of the field trip will allow students to engage in debates with their peers and reflect on learning in the field and to collect feedback on their work before writing. The presentations present an opportunity to assess and give feedback on students’ presentation and communication skills as well as their contribution to a collaborative project.

Students are expected to produce an academic fieldwork essay based on further independent study upon returning home from the field. This work will be undertaken independently in Term 3.

General Notes

N/A