This course aims to introduce students to key city narratives from the nineteenth century to the present day, and discuss a range of critical perspectives on spatiality and consider their significance in literary and cultural studies. Students will explore the ideas and representation of the city and the urban experience in literary texts from diverse cultural contexts. The course is interdisciplinary by nature, drawing upon theories and practices in cultural geography, sociology, philosophy, cultural and literary studies. Possible topics for discussion include: the country and the city, metropolis and modernity, cosmopolitanism, spaces of power, sites of memory, the global and the local. This course will help students understand key theme and issues in city literature and the recent ‘spatial turn’ in literary and cultural studies, and enhance their ability to analyse literary texts in their historical, cultural and social contexts.