GGRA03 Cities and

Environments
Class 1: Course Introduction
10/01/2024
Welcome to GGRA03 Cities and Environments!

Me: Killian
McCormack

PhD,
University of
Toronto
Email Address and
Policy

k.mccormack@mail.utoronto.ca

24 hours reply-time, more on

weekends

Please include course code GGRA03

in subject line
Office Hours

3pm to 4pm in HL 507, or by

appointment

HL = Highland Hall
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 Introduction to the Course

Today’s Class-by-Class Outline

Plan Course Assessment

Introduction Survey
Course Introduction
Key Questions:
What is the relationship between urbanization and the environment?

What scales does this relationship play out at?

How is everyday urban life shaped by social, economic, and ecological

processes well beyond the city’s formal borders?
 In GGRA03, we will
Engage with key ideas and concepts in urban and environmental Geography

Explore the interconnected social, ecological, and economic dynamics in everyday urban life

Critically assess the historic and ongoing uneven social relations that shape urban environments

Consider how economic, social, and political processes across multiple scales shape urban
ecologies

Apply our understanding of key ideas to specific urban landscapes

Course Format

Lectures Tutorials
Lectures

Lecture and
Class discussion In-class
multimedia
and polls exercises
content
 TUTORIAL DAY AND TIME ROOM
CODE
Tutorials TUT0001 WEDNESDAYS 10:00 TO HLB108
11:00
TUT0002 WEDNESDAYS 10:00 TO AA209
11:00
Begin Week 3 (January 24). TUT0003 WEDNESDAYS 9:00 TO 10:00 AA204
There will be eight in total
TUT0004 WEDNESDAYS 9:00 TO 10:00 BV260

You must attend the tutorial TUT0005 WEDNESDAYS 12:00 TO BV260

13:00
time that you registered for TUT0006 WEDNESDAYS 16:00 TO BV363
(Make sure to register!) 17:00
TUT0007 WEDNESDAYS 19:00 TO MW262
20:00
Tutorials: Will provide TUT0008 WEDNESDAYS 15:00 TO AA204
support for assignments and 16:00
engage with key concepts TUT0009 WEDNESDAYS 16:00 TO AA206
from the course 17:00
Readings and
Lectures
Readings and podcasts posted on
Quercus

Lectures will be posted on Quercus

before class
Course Environment

The classroom is a respectful space

Mutual respect for your colleagues

is paramount

Discriminatory behavior will not be

tolerated

If any issue arises, please let me know

 Classroom Etiquette

Raise your hand when asking questions

Excusing oneself from class

Be mindful of those around you

Food should not be eaten in the classroom

Class-by-Class Outline
Week 2: Nature and the City:
Questioning Concepts
Week 3: Urbanization in the 21st Century
Week 4: Urbanization and
Sustainability
Week 5: Informality and
Urbanization
 Week 6: Settler
Colonialism and Urban
Landscapes
Week 7: Reading Week
Week 8: Cities and Environmental Justice
 Week 9: Environments
and Urban Public Health
Week 10: Big Data
and Smarty City
Environments
Week 11: Urban Futures
and Climate Change
Week 12: Environmental
Disasters and Cities
Week 13: Course Wrap-
Up and Exam Review
3. Course
Assessment
Overview

Assessment Weight Due Date

Participation 10% Throughout the Term
Proposal 10% February 16 by 11.59pm
Quizzes (4 x 5%) 20% Throughout the term
Final Paper 25% March 29 by 11.59pm
Final Exam 35% TBD
Participation
10% of overall grade

Combination of attendance and participation in Tutorials (8%) and the

completion of short written exercises in Lecture (2%)

It is important to complete the assigned readings before each class

Quizzes
• Four quizzes worth 5% of overall grade each (20% total)

• Posted on Quercus on January 26, February 9, March 1, March 15

• Must be completed, individually, within 72 hours

• Will allow you to demonstrate your knowledge of class content and

readings
 Paper Proposal
10% of overall grade

500 words approx.

Due Friday, February 16 by 11.59pm on Quercus

Asks you to identify a topic for the final paper and a

piece of media related to the final topic
Research Paper
Worth 25% of your overall grade

1200 - 1500 words approx

You are required to write an argumentative research paper that will

build on the feedback received for proposal

Due Friday, March 29 by 11.59pm on Quercus

Plagiarism
Plagiarism is a serious academic offense

It is your responsibility to submit your own, correctly cited, work

Generative AI should not be used when completing written

assignments
Policies on Late
Assignments
• 3% penalty for every overdue day

• Weekends count as one day

• No late assignments accepted a week after the

deadline
Final Exam
• Will take place over the Final Exam period

• Worth 35% of overall grade

• Will consist of short answer and essay

questions

• Further details will follow later in the semester

Exam Elections!
Questions?
Please Complete the Introductory
Survey on Quercus!
Next Week: Nature and
the City: Questioning
Concepts