6 ECTS credits
180 h study time
Offer 1 with catalog number 4018418ENR for all students in the 1st semester at a (E) Master - advanced level.
This course covers key debates in the discipline of urban history, with a focus on European experiences. After an introduction into processes of ‘urbanization’ in a long-term perspective, and a survey of the main historiography, the course addresses central debates in urban history around key themes such as the historical relationship between cities and economic growth, state formation, migration, social inequality and and the spatial development of cities. These themes are addressed in a comparative long-term perspective that draws in case studies from ancient history to the recent past. The meetings consist of lectures and discussion seminars that involve active reflection and participation from students on the basis of preparatory reading and reflection. The course teaches students to analyse historical literature and debates on urban history, completed with a written paper.
This course consists of blended learning, part of the course will be given online depending on the COVID-19 restrictions.
Upon completion of the course, students can
- recognize key debates in the field of urban history
- identify basic chronological and spatial patterns of urbanization processes
- identify different types of European cities and provide examples of other cities in global history compared to European cities
- critically reflect on the role of cities in historical development by mobilizing knowledge from historical case studies
- autonomously read, synthesise and critically reflect upon academic literature on urban history in a comparative perspective
- critically reflect on the role of cities in historical development by giving examples of case studies
- formulate their insights and reflections in a structured way, both orally and in writing, and can conduct a structured discussion
- are able to write a literature review on urban historical debates, a skill which contributes to paper writing skills necessary for other disciplines of urban studies.
The final grade is composed based on the following categories:
SELF Paper determines 70% of the final mark.
Other determines 30% of the final mark.
Within the SELF Paper category, the following assignments need to be completed:
Within the Other category, the following assignments need to be completed:
The final grade is composed based on the following categories:
Written final paper of 4000-5000 words: 70% of the final mark
Assignment(s) and oral presentation: 20% of the final mark
Active participation in discussions: 10% of the final mark
Active participation in the courses is measured by attendance, having completed the preparatory reading and actively participating in the discussions. For the written final paper, the students need to have a sufficient mark for the final paper in order to pass for the course.
Attendance and participation during discussion seminars is mandatory. Participation in the discussion seminars includes at least one oral presentation during one of the discussion seminars and general participation in the discussions. Students who fail to attend more than one class, will (in consultation with the teacher) receive a replacement assignment from the teacher. Papers and assignment(s) that have not been submitted in time will be considered as not submitted (unless decided differently in consultation with the teachers) and means that the student cannot obtain a mark.
This offer is part of the following study plans:
Master of Adult Education: Profile Social Studies (only offered in Dutch)
Master of History: default (only offered in Dutch)
Master of Urban Studies: Standard track
Master of Urban Design and Spatial Planning: Standaard traject (only offered in Dutch)
Master of Teaching in Arts and Humanities: History (only offered in Dutch)
Master of Teaching in Arts and Humanities: Art History and Heritage Studies (only offered in Dutch)
Master of Teaching in Arts and Humanities: Philosophy (only offered in Dutch)
Master of Teaching in Arts and Humanities: Ethics and Humanism (only offered in Dutch)
Master of Teaching in Behavioural Sciences: agogische wetenschappen (120 ECTS, Etterbeek) (only offered in Dutch)