Urban East Asia
Spring 2027
Level: Advanced
Language: English
Organizer: Centre for East Asian Studies, University of Turku
Course instructor: Senior University lecturer Outi Luova, University of Turku
Goals
After the course, students are familiar with the specific features of urban East Asia in a global context. The course provides insights into different strategies for transition towards urban sustainability. In particular, students learn to identify and analyze key economic, social, and environmental challenges that Asian cities are facing. As to transferable skills, the course improves students’ skills in locating and analyzing new information.
Contents
Urbanization is one of the main global trends in the current world. At the same time, cities are becoming important actors vis-à-vis states. For example, cities play an increasingly central role in climate change mitigation and adaptation. In that context, this course deals with cities and the un/sustainability of urbanization in China, Japan, and South Korea. The key themes are: the specific features of urbanization and urban development in East Asia, urban governance, various eco and smart pilot cities, and international city networks.
Preconditions for participation: Basic knowledge about China. For example the Asia Network course “Johdatus Itä-Aasiaan” or “Introduction to Chinese Politics and Society”.
Taken as: Online lectures, obligatory reading materials, quizzes, learning diary. Students who take this course can also write an optional essay (2 ECTS).
Grading: 0-5
Registration: Degree students from the member universities of the Finnish University Network for Asian Studies can register for these course during the registration periods through their university’s own Peppi or Sisu systems. Other students can apply for non-degree self-paying study right to the University of Turku. Read more about the registration and application process!
This course has a maximum intake of 40 students. Students are selected in the order of application. The places are divided evenly between the member universities of the Network.
Starting the course: On the first day of the course, you will receive a welcome message from the teacher, including a link to the course webpage.
The development of this course has been supported by funding from the FAPSU Project.
Featured picture: Steven Wei, under Unsplash License