Introduction

 

This course provides a general survey of competing sociological perspectives on cities and urban development in the United States and other countries. The course covers such topics as 1) the general characteristics, causes, and consequences of city growth and decline, 2) the varied structure and change of ethnic communities in large U.S. cities, and 3) the comparative positions and roles of major cities in the global and regional systems. The types of cases to be examined include but are not limited to the older industrial cities (e.g., Milwaukee, Cleveland), the ethnic enclaves in large urban centers (e.g., Boston, Detroit, San Francisco), and the world or global cities (Shanghai, Sydney, Toronto).

 

Requirements and Grading

 

Students are required to keep up with the readings. The lectures often go beyond the required readings, so regular attendance and note-taking in class is important to performing well in the exam. Active participation in class discussion is required and part of your grade. Class assignments include an in-class midterm exam which consists of multiple choice and essay questions, a team-oriented oral presentation, and a term paper of approximately 10-12 pages based on in-depth library or field research. The midterm constitutes 30% of your overall grade, the term project 45%, and the remaining 25% based your attendance, presentation, and class discussion.

 

Texts

 

Anthony M. Orum. City-Building in America. Westview Press, 1995.

Saskia Sassen. Cities in a Global Economy. Pine Forge Press, 1994.

Mark Abrahamson. Urban Enclaves. St. Martin Press, 1996.

*John R. Logan and Harvey L. Molotch. Urban Fortunes. University of California Press, 1987. (An optional text.)

 

Two articles (on reserve in the main library under Sociology 276).

 

Course Outline and Readings

 

Week 1: Introduction to the Study of Cities

1/10 Course procedures

1/12 Introduction

1/14 "A Survey of Cities" (an article on reserve)

 

Week 2: Overview and Perspectives

1/17 Martin Luther King's Birthday (No Class)

1/19 Frisbie and Kasarda, "Spatial Processes," (an article on reserve)

1/21 "Spatial Processes" continued

 

Week 3: Perspective and Themes

1/24 Orum, Part 1, Chapter 1, pp. 1-7

1/26 Orum, Part 1, Chapter 2, pp. 9-22

1/28 Orum, Part 2, Chapter 3, pp. 25-47

 

Week 4: A Historical/Institutional Study of American Cities

2/7 Orum, Part 2, Chapter, 4, pp. 49-71

2/9 Orum, Part 2, Chapter, 5, pp. 73-99

2/11 Orum, Part 2, Chapter 6, pp. 101-115

 

Week 5: Continued from Week 4

2/14 Orum, Part 2, Chapters 7-8, pp. 117-145

2/16 Orum, Part 3, Introduction and Chapter 9, pp. 149-163

2/18 Orum, Part 3, Chapter 10, pp. 166-180.

 

Week 6: Continued from Week 5

2/21 Orum, Part 3, Chapter 11, pp. 181-191

2/23 Orum, Part 4, Conclusion, pp. 195-208.

2/25 Critique (no reading).

 

Week 7: Guest Lecture, Midterm Review and Exam

2/28 Guest lecture

3/1 Review

3/3 Midterm Exam

 

Week 8: Cities in a Global Economy

3/6 Introduction

3/8 Sassen, Chapter 1, pp. 1-8

3/10 Sassen, Chapter 2, pp. 9-28

 

Spring Break (3/13-3/17)

 

Week 9. Continued from Week 8

3/20 Sassen, Chapter 3, pp. 29-52

3/22 Sassen, Chapter 4, pp. 53-76

3/24 Sassen, Chapter 5, pp. 77-97

 

Week 10. Continued from Week 9

3/27 Sassen, Chapter 6, pp. 99-117

3/29 Sassen, Chapter 7 and Appendix, pp. 119-135

3/31 Summary

 

Team Oral Presentations Begin?

 

Week 11: Urban Enclaves

4/3 Abrahamson, Chapter 1, pp. 1-17

4/5 Abrahamson, Chapter 2, pp. 19-32

4/7 Abrahamson, Chapter 3, pp. 33-47

.

Week 12: Continued from Week 11

4/10 Abrahamson, Chapter 4, pp. 49-65

4/12 Abrahamson, Chapter 5, pp. 67-84

4/14 Abrahamson, Chapter 6, pp. 85-102

 

Week 13: Continued from Week 12

4/17 Abrahamson, Chapter 7, pp. 103-120

4/19 Abrahamson, Chapter 8, pp. 121-135

4/21 Abrahamson, Chapter 9, pp. 137-145

 

Week 14: Urban Fortunes and Summary

4/24 Lecture on Logan and Molotch

4/26 Logan and Molotch continued

4/28 Summary and conclusion

 

Week 15

5/1 Term Paper Due

Return to main page