Overview
The consequences of evolving communication and media technologies for cities, how they are represented, and for urban economies and ways of life.
The philosopher Henri Lefebvre describes cities as socially produced and contested spaces. MFCO 312 builds on Lefebvre’s ideas and examines the meanings, conflicts, everyday practices and political structures that make cities what they are today. Students will be equipped to understand what forces shape cities and what they can do to participate in these processes.
About this paper
| Paper title | Communication and the City |
|---|---|
| Subject | Media, Film and Communication |
| EFTS | 0.15 |
| Points | 18 points |
| Teaching period | Semester 2 (On campus) |
| Domestic Tuition Fees ( NZD ) | $1,103.10 |
| International Tuition Fees | Tuition Fees for international students are elsewhere on this website. |
- Prerequisite
- 18 200-level MFCO points or 54 200-level Arts Points
- Schedule C
- Arts and Music
- Notes
- May not be credited together with COMS305 passed in 2006-2008.
- Contact
- mfco@otago.ac.nz
- Teaching staff
Convener and lecturer: Dr Brett Nicholls
- Paper Structure
The paper is organised into three parts. Part one considers the history of cities: colonisation; and neoliberal capitalism. Part two considers the meanings and technologies of the city: city branding; the smart city; the authentic city; city surveillance; and the event spectacle. Part three considers how the city is configured and contested: the right to the city; urban tactics; graffiti; and returns to critique the smart city.
- Teaching Arrangements
One 2-hour lecture per week.
One 1-hour tutorial per week.- Textbooks
All material is available online.
- Graduate Attributes Emphasised
- Communication, Critical thinking, Cultural understanding, Environmental literacy, Information literacy, Research, Self-motivation, Teamwork.
View more information about Otago's graduate attributes. - Learning Outcomes
Students who successfully complete the paper will:
- Develop an understanding of how cities have historically transformed
- Knowledge of critical theories of the city
- Critically reflect on the meanings of, practices in, and technologies of city spaces
- Understand cities as contested socially produced spaces
- Assessment details
Assessment:
- Reading summaries: 10%
- Presentation: 15%
- Ethnographic exercise: 30%
- Essay 40%
- In-class test: 5%