Urban Social Geography I: Key Theoretical Approaches

The Urban Social Geography I: Key Theoretical Approaches is the first part of the course Urban Social Geography . It is held during the winter semester and introduces the key theoretical approaches within the field of urban geography. In the summer term, the second part, Urban Social Geography II: Contemporary Issues ,  is arranged along the fundamental themes in contemporary urban studies.

The Urban Social Geography I: Key Theoretical Approachescourse is focused on the variability of research perspectives in urban studies. The key theoretical approaches are selected in the context of the specific development of Central and Eastern European (CEE) urban system and the internal structures of cities within the region. The course offers profound knowledge of spatial patterns, urban processes and developments through the lens of theoretical and methodological concepts from the traditional urban sociology, Chicago school, Marxist and humanistic approaches, time-space geography and social environment theory. The course consists of eleven lectures combined with exercises and two discussion seminars. The main emphasis is on reading, classroom discussion and written assignments of the varying explanatory power of different theoretical concepts and their usefulness for CEE urban studies.

Schedule:

Date | Topic  | Teacher

Schedule:
Date    | Topic | Teacher
6.10.    | Introduction to the course | Adela Petrović
How to study urban geography | Martin Ouředníček
13.10.  | Classical urban theories | Martin Šimon
20.10. | Chicago school of urban sociology | Martin Ouředníček
27.10. | Time geography in urban research | Lucie Pospíšilová
3.11.    | Test I | Adela Petrović
Radical political economy, institutional approach | Petra Špačková
10.11.  | Urban planning (Jane Jacobs film) | Petra Špačková
17.11.  | State holiday
24.11. | Humanistic approach | Lucie Pospíšilová
1.12.   | Theory of structuration and social environment | Martin Ouředníček
8.12.  | Postmodern urban geography | Martin Šimon
15.12. | Test II | Adela Petrović
Post-socialist paradigm | Martin Ouředníček
January | Exam | Martin Ouředníček, Petra Špačková, Adela Petrović