Course Resources Archive

This module will explore the multi-layered and multi-faceted nature of the relationship between place, culture and identity. Central to this is the realisation, that in defining identity, people draw on a culturally-informed affinity to place or representations of place.

The module focuses particularly on issues of architecture, landscape and image in the context of the contemporary city and cities in recent history.

In the interactions of place, culture and identity meanings are created. Place meanings, personal meanings, local, national and global meanings.

The module will open with a series of sessions exploring recent urban change and the transition from modernity to postmodernity. It will focus particularly on the intersections of the urban landscape, urban cultures, images and identities.  The module explores both the wealth of theoretical discussion around these issues but also current debates and case studies.  An active learning approach is adopted on the module and students are encouraged, after achieving a grounding within the relevant theoretical material, to explore an aspect of the module contents through their own original research.  Opportunities for field research will occur throughout the module.

i. Knowledge and understanding
On successful completion of the module the student should be able to:
a)  critically analyse the relationship between place, culture and identity;
b)  understand, articulate and critically engage with the theoretical understandings of this relationship;
c)  critically evaluate definitions and explanations of place, culture and identity;
d) think critically about the differing ways in which this relationship is made manifest.

ii. Skills
On successful completion of the module the student should be able to:
a) demonstrate development of individual research skills;
b) undertake an element of original research;
c) synthesise material from a variety of disciplinary perspectives;
d) demonstrate development of presentation skills.

Staff / student contact: 16% (24 hrs; lectures, seminars, tutorials)
Student directed learning: 84%

The Library Catalogue contains full details of the current reading list for this module. Further details may also be found in the Module Guide.