Courses

Politics at the community level; urban and metropolitan political systems.

An examination of city politics, past and present, with an emphasis on the interaction between politics and the economy. Topics include political machines and the Reform Movement in the 19th Century; suburbanization and urban decline in the 20th Century; and immigration, globalization, and urban neo-liberalism in the contemporary era. Issues of class and race/ethnicity run throughout the course. Attention is given to particular cities such as New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, and Detroit.

Examination of the governance of US cities, especially New York City exploring the historical development of governmental structures, political parties, machine politics and reform movements in US cities. Theories of power in the urban setting and the role of advocacy groups, ethnic organizations, business, labor, and other interest and activist groups will be discussed. (SS, US)

Rising precarity (i.e., social vulnerability and insecurity in people’s everyday lives) in an urban context. We will examine how people experience precarity across class, race, gender, geography, nationality and citizen status, sexuality and age. We will explore the way that different social movements have addressed such vulnerability and insecurity and the potential for political solidarity in contemporary society.

Most new religious movements today are centered in urban areas, and these are the cutting edge of the segment of the population that is becoming more religious while many of the long-established religious groups are experiencing loss in seminarians and in attendance. This course examines the dynamics of these religious movements and their impact on urban society.

This course is designed to enhance students’ comprehension of urban/rural schooling with particular attention to the following: 1) relationship between the urban context and educational policies and practices in urban/rural schools; 2) along with a service learning component in urban/rural schools, the historical, socioeconomic, and political factors influencing urban education; and 3) the distribution of opportunity in cities and their schools; and effective pedagogical and organizational

This course analyzes movements for change in urban policies and institutions, especially mobilizations by groups without ready access to power through normal political channels.

Historical, physical, economic, and social evolutions of urbanized areas. There is an emphasis on contemporary urban problems with implications for policy and planning.

A study of urbanization as a social phenomenon with attention to traditional sociological studies of the community. (MULT).

A course providing an analysis of urban concepts and the impact of urbanization on social relations, social institutions, and the national interest. This is a junior-level course.