Geo 370: Urban Geography

P. Gaubatz

Sample Syllabus

Course Description:

This class is a survey of both the historical and contemporary development of the world's cities and urban geographical approaches to urban analysis. We will explore urban forms and processes as they are shaped by, and as they shape, their social, cultural, economic and physical contexts. As a survey of world urbanism, the course will cover topics ranging from urban genesis and the characteristics of pre-industrial cities, to the challenges facing cities and city dwellers in both developed and developing countries today. As an introduction to urban geographical analysis, the course will address the wide range of theoretical and methodological approaches utilized by urban geographers.

The course lectures and reading will draw on examples from around the world. However, there will be an emphasis on North America in the theoretical sections of the course, and in student projects as well.

Course Overview:

After several introductory lectures, the course will be divided into three parts (see next page for more detail):

Part One:	The Historical Development of Cities and Urban Systems
Part Two:	Contemporary Urban Forms and Issues in the Developed World
Part Three:	Cities of the Third World

Course Requirements and Structure:

This course will consist of lectures, reading, group and individual projects and two exams. There will be no final exam. Grades will be weighted as follows:

2 exams	@	20% each	=	40%	400 points
1 research paper	@	25% each	=	25%	250 points
1 group project	@	25% each	=	25%	250 points
2 reading summaries	@	5% each	=	10%	100 points
		Total:	=	100%	1000 points

Research Paper:

Each student will complete a 10 page research paper as part of the course requirements. Students will be able to choose from a list of topics for papers. The papers will be focused on contemporary urban geographical issues.

Group Project:

Each student will be part of a group which carries out a field research project during the course of the semester. Participation in both in-class planning and work sessions and the field research itself will be a significant component of each individual’s grade. A detailed assignment sheet will explain the different components of the grade more thoroughly.

Reading Summaries:

Each weeks' reading assignment will include a topic to address in a brief summary/reaction to/evaluation of the reading. These will be turned in twice during the semester.

Readings:

There is one required book for purchase for this course: Witold Rybczynski City Life: Urban Expectations in a New World (New York: Scribner). Most readings will be available on reserve in the Morrill library (Biological Sciences Library, Morrill South 3-214).

Topic Overview:

Part One: The Historical Development of Cities and Urban Systems

Thematic introduction #1: Urban Morphogenesis
"Ancient" Cities
Thematic introduction #2: the "Pre-industrial City"
Bourgs, Faubourgs and Bastides
Traditional Chinese Cities
Thematic introduction #3: Transportation, Location and the Industrial Revolution
Models of urban systems
Colonialism
Main Street: the Rise of American Industrial Cities
Streetcar Suburbs

Part Two: Contemporary Urban Forms and Issues in the Developed World

Thematic introduction #4: Social Geography of the City
The Chicago School and more recent Concepts
The Automobile Era
Communities without Propinquity?
Housing and Segregation
The Plight of Main Street
Cities in the Suburbs
Sunbelt/Snowbelt

Part Three: Cities of the Third World

Thematic introduction #5: Processes of Urban Growth
Colonialism & Neo-Colonialism
Primate Cities and Rural-urban Migration
The Informal Sector
Squatter Settlements
Global Capital and Redevelopment Issues