The concept of resilient cities refers to a wide range of ideas how cities are able to survive, adapt, or even grow as a reaction to chronic stresses or acute shocks. One definition highlights “city resilience is about making a city better, in both good times and bad, for the benefit of all its citizens, particularly the poor and vulnerable” (100resilientcities.org). Others relate the concept to the idea of sustainability or urban transition towards climate change (e.g. iclei.org).
Urban sociology, sustainability, resilient cities and climate change are keywords for this class. On the one hand, we will try to better understand the initiatives and concepts and social movements gathering around this topic. On the other hand, we will read literature that helps us to develop a (mainly qualitative) sociological perspective on the phenomenon.
At the beginning of term, we will read and discuss academic papers. In the second part of the term, small groups of three to four students will work independently on an issue of the course. The student groups will receive time during class to work on their projects, but are also asked to meet outside class. Finally, the student groups will present their results in class.
Material:Please find the material on Moodle (https://moodle.uni-jena.de/)
Requirements:To meet the requirements for earning a certificate (Leistungsschein) participants are asked to give an input of one of the topics and to prepare an excerpt (input/excerpt 2-5 pages), to participate actively in the group work and to present the results (output of the group work), and to take an oral examination (mündliche Prüfung) or to write a term paper (Hausarbeit). Course language is English. |
