Introduction

 

This course adopts an integrated and comparative approach to studying the intra- and transnational characteristics, conditions, and consequences of growth and transformation of cities and regions. We review and critique the human ecological and urban political economy perspectives. And we also evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of quantitative analysis of census and ecological data on city systems vs. the historical-comparative in-depth case studies of individual cities. The types of cases to be examined include but are not limited to the older industrial cities (e.g., Milwaukee), the ethnic enclaves in large urban centers (e.g., Boston, Detroit, San Francisco), and the so-called "global cities" (New York, Toronto, Sydney). Each student is expected to complete an individual research project that applies a theoretical perspective, using a method of analysis, to studying a city or cities.

 

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. Written assignments include an in-class midterm exam (consisting of multiple choice and essay questions), a short essay of approximately 4 pages, and a term paper of about 15 pages based on in-depth library or field research. Preferably, the term paper should have a comparative focus. The midterm constitutes 30% of your overall grade, the short essay 10%, the term project 40%, and the remaining 20% based on an oral presentation and performance in class discussions.

 

Texts

 

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

2. John R. Logan and Harvey L. Molotch. Urban Fortunes. University of California Press, 1987.

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

4. Saskia Sassen. Cities in a World Economy. Pine Forge Press, 2000.

*Several articles (on reserve in the main library under Sociology 473).

 

Course Outline and Readings

 

Week 1: Introduction to the Study of Cities

8/22 Introduction and course procedures.

8/24 "A Survey of Cities," The Economist, July 29, 1995 (on reserve).

 

Week 2: Theoretical Perspectives

8/29 Frisbie and Kasarda, "Spatial Processes," (on reserve).

8/31 Hutchison, "The Crisis in Urban Sociology," (on reserve)

Anthony Orum and Xiangming Chen, Urban Places, Chapter 1 (mimeo).

 

Week 3: A Historical/Institutional Study of American Cities

9/5 Orum, Part 1, Chapters, 1-2, pp. 1-22.

9/7 Orum, Part 2, Chapters, 3-5, pp. 25-99.

 

Week 4: Orum, Continued

9/12 Orum, Part 2, Chapters, 6-8, pp. 101-145.

9/14 Orum, Part 3, Chapters, 9-11, pp. 149-208.

 

Week 5: The Growth Machine Model of American Cities

9/19 Logan and Molotch, Chapters 2-3, pp. 17-98.

9/21 Logan and Molotch, Chapters 4-5, pp. 99-199.

 

Week 6: Logan and Molotch, Continued

9/26 Logan and Molotch, Chapter 6, pp. 200-247.

9/28 Logan and Molotch, Chapter 7, pp. 248-296.

 

Week 7: Midterm Review and Exam

10/3 Review.

10/5 Midterm Exam.

 

Week 8: Urban Enclaves: Overview and Two Contrasting Cases

10/10 Abrahamson, Chapter 1, pp. 1-17.

*Oral Presenations Begin

10/12 Abrahamson, Chapters 2 and 3, pp. 19-47.

 

Week 9: Urban Enclaves: More Cases

10/17 Abrahamson, Chapters 4 and 5, pp. 49-84.

10/19 Abrahamson, Chapters 6 and 7, pp. 85-120.

 

Week 10: Urban Enclavies, Continued

10/24 Abrahamson, Chapters 8 and 9, pp. 121-145.

10/26 An integrating comparison of the cases.

 

Week 11: Cities in a World Economy

10/31 Sassen, Chapter 1, pp. 1-9.

11/2 Sassen, Chapter 2, pp. 10-31.

 

Week 11. Cities in a World Economy, Continued

11/7 Sassen, Chapter 3, pp. 33-57.

11/9 Sassen, Chapter 4, pp. 59-85.

 

Week 12. Cities in a World Economy, Continued

11/14 Sassen, Chapter 5, pp. 87-116.

11/16 Sassen, Chapter 6, pp. 117-137.

 

Week 13: Cities in a World Economy, Continued

11/21 Sassen, Chapter 7, pp. 139-144.

11/23 Thanksgiving Holiday.

 

Week 14: Revisiting Theoretical Perspectives

11/28 Orum and Chen, Urban Places, Chapter 2 (mimeo).

Logan and Molotch, Chapter 1, pp. 1-15.

11/30 Summary.

Term Paper Due

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