The aim of this exercise "Paths and tools of the production of space: Mobile Methodologies" is to transfer the theoretical knowledge gained in the module’s lecture and seminar to specific urban sites and fields of action. Specifically, it will allow students to develop methodological and practical toolboxes to examine, evaluate and engage with challenges faced by mobile populations in urban space. Drawing on in-depth interviews, mental maps and ‘mobile ethnography’ and using a local case study, students will explore the spatial urban experiences of individuals and groups who are “on the move”.
Starting from a specific urban site of civic innovation in Vienna, students in this exercise will use in-depth interviews, mobile ethnographies and mental/cognitive mapping to explore everyday geographies of migrants in the city. The course is divided into three intensive teaching blocks (ITBs), each centering on a different stage of research:
ITB1 – Getting Started: Exploring the Field – will introduce students to the main urban actors and field site and to basic methodologies, including in-depth interviewing, mental maps and mobile ethnographies.
In the introductory exercise unit, each student is asked to bring an image of a place s/he would characterize as part of her/his mobile methodology and explain the choice.
In the following units (‘Actors Walks and Talks’), students will be introduced to a range of pertinent urban actors around Vienna. In addition, input lectures will inform on qualitative methods of field research such as specific techniques of interviewing and mapping as well as on ethical issues in conducting fieldwork.
At the end of ITB1 students will form groups, identify their research sub-theme and begin developing a research design for their chosen case study.
ITB2 – Gathering ‘thick’ data – will work as a platform to discuss the specific issues and challenges encountered by students in their research between ITB1 and ITB2. Further, instructors will provide critical feedback to groups of students concerning the data they already collected/analyzed.
ITB 3 – Presenting research findings – will support students in their visualization and presentation techniques and focus on the mapping process of a ‘map of mobile ethnographies’. In the closing unit, students will present their group work and engage in a discussion, transferring the theoretical knowledge gained in the module’s lecture and seminar to the case studies.
This exercise "Paths and tools of the production of space” is part of the module 11 "Urban culture, public space" (consisting of three courses, VO 280.534, SE 280.535 and UE 280.536) which is offered during three five days intensive teaching blocks (ITB) by the Interdisciplinary Centre for Urban Culture and Public Space (http://skuor.tuwien.ac.at). Module 11 compiles a set of integrated courses dealing with lived space at the interface of the fields of urban studies and urban design/urban planning. In 2019, the main focus will be on "Urban Citizenship: Public Space, Post-Migrational and Civic Innovation".
The courses mainly address master students (late bachelor or early doctoral students), especially from planning and architecture are invited to take part. Yet we explicitly welcome students coming from other Viennese universities in related disciplines, such as urban studies, urban design, geography, sociology, political science, landscape architecture, cultural studies, ... as well as 'Mitbeleger'. The course language is English. We support students active participation in debates and interactive teaching formats, and encourage you to bring in and develop your own ideas and critical perspectives. We seek to create an international level of debate and exchange and welcome students from all countries and cultures. Just contact us (info@skuor.tuwien.ac.at).
Students interested in this course are highly recommended to take part in the lecture (TISS No 280.534) and the seminar (TISS No 280.535).
To take part in all three courses of the module 11 please register for module 11 until 30th September 2018 (23:59 pm) via TISS registration for the course, VO 280.534. Further course registration will be carried out directly at the kick-off meeting on 1st of October, 9am in seminar Room 3/4, 2nd floor, Augasse 2-6, 2nd floor.
Dates of the Module 11
The main body of teaching will be delivered during three intensive teaching blocks (ITB):
ITB 1 – 1-5 October 2018
ITB 2 – 3-7 December 2018
ITB 3 – 21-25 January 2019
For the Exercise course of the Module, further (online) consultations will be offered by the teaching team between the ITBs.
The evaluation of the course will be based upon the following activities:
Students’ final grades in the exercise are based on a group-based project, which creatively intervenes in one or more dimension (e.g., health, education, welfare, communal affairs) of the daily spatialities of mobile groups in the city of Vienna. The criteria for evaluating projects are threefold:
(I) Excellence (40%) -- in data collection, analysis and project design;
(II) Impact (35%) – in addressing real needs of its end users and making a significant difference in their engagement with everyday problems;
(III) Creativity (25%) – in non-conventionally about everyday spaces of mobile groups in the city.
