Urban Social Geography: Key Theoretical Approaches - MZ340P731

• Title: Urban Social Geography: Key Theoretical Approaches
• Czech title: Urbánní sociální geografie: Klíčové teoretické přístupy
• Guaranteed by: Department of Social Geography and Regional Development (31-340)
• Faculty: Faculty of Science
• Actual: from 2024
• Semester: winter
• E-Credits: 7
• Examination process: winter s.:
• Hours per week, examination: winter s.:2/1, C+Ex [HT]
• Capacity: unlimited
• Min. number of students: 5
• 4EU+: no
• Virtual mobility / capacity: no
• State of the course: taught
• Language: English
• Additional information: http://dl2.cuni.cz/course/view.php?id=736
• Note: enabled for web enrollment
• Guarantor: prof. RNDr. Martin Ouředníček, Ph.D.
• Teacher(s): prof. RNDr. Martin Ouředníček, Ph.D.; Adél Petrovic, M.A., M.Sc.; RNDr. Lucie Pospíšilová, Ph.D.; RNDr. Martin Šimon, Ph.D.
• Incompatibility : MZ340P73K
• Is incompatible with: MZ340P73K

Annotation

The course 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 systems 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, the Chicago school, Marxist and humanistic approaches, time-space geography, structuration, and social environment theory. The course consists of twelve lectures combined with exercises and two discussion seminars. The main emphasis is on reading, classroom discussion, and written assignments on the varying explanatory power of different theoretical concepts and their usefulness for CEE urban studies.

Readings and detailed information on the course are available in Moodle: http://dl2.cuni.cz/course/view.php?id=736.

Last update: Petrovic Adél, M.A., M.Sc. (03.10.2025)

Literature

KAPLAN, D., WHEELER, J., HOLLOWAY, S. (2003): Urban Geography. New York: Wiley Publishers.
KNOX, P., PINCH, S. (2010): Urban Social Geography: An Introduction. New York: Prentice Hall.
OUŘEDNÍČEK, M., TEMELOVÁ, J., POSPÍŠILOVÁ, L. eds. (2011): Atlas of Socio-spatial Differentiation of the Czech Republic. Prague: Karolinum.
PACIONE, M. (2005): Urban Geography: A Global Perspective. Routledge.
PADDISON, R. ed. (2001): Handbook of Urban Studies. Sage. London.
PHILLIPS, E.B. (1996): City Lights: Urban-Suburban Life in the Global Society. New York and Oxford: Oxford University Press.

Last update: Petrovic Adél, M.A., M.Sc. (03.10.2025)

Requirements to the exam

Basic level:

Total score in tests I and II > 50 %

Attendance of at least 7 lectures, including compulsory attendance of discussion seminars with tests

Timely submission of at least 6 pre-class assignments (submitted via Moodle, annotation of required reading + answers to all questions suggested in Moodle)

Exam:

Same conditions as for basic level plus:

Activity and discussion of required readings in class

Exam -  hand-written essay during the exam

Last update: Petrovic Adél, M.A., M.Sc. (03.10.2025)

Syllabus

2.10.2025	Introduction to the course How to study urban geography	Adela Petrovic Martin Ouředníček
9.10.2025	Classical urban theories	Martin Šimon
16.10.2025	Sport day	Martin Ouředníček
23.10.2025	Time geography in urban research	Lucie Pospíšilová
30.10.2025	Chicago school of urban sociology	Martin Ouředníček
6.11.2025	Humanistic approach	Lucie Pospíšilová
13.11.2025	Test I Radical political economy, institutional approach	Lucie Pospíšilová
20.11.2025	Theory of structuration and social environment	Martin Ouředníček
27.11.2025	Urban Governance	Adela Petrovic
4.12.2025	Post-socialist paradigm	Martin Ouředníček
11.12.2025	Post-modern approaches and beyond	Martin Šimon
18.12.2025	Test II Post-structuralist approach	Lucie Pospíšilová
TBA	Exams	Lucie Pospíšilová Martin Ouředníček Adela Petrovic

Last update: Petrovic Adél, M.A., M.Sc. (03.10.2025)