Departments of Sociology and Anthropology
L A K E H E A D U N I V E R S I T Y
DEPARTMENTS OF SOCIOLOGY AND ANTHROPOLOGY
Urban Life & Culture
Sociology 3213 FA & Anthropology 3233 FA
Brian McMillan Fall 2006
RB2041 Thursday 7:00-10:00pm
BB 1021
Office Hours: Thursday 4:00-5:00pm
COURSE OUTLINE
Course Description
Urban Life and Culture examines the changing social organization and culture of cities. The course of study proceeds on the premise that cities are more than merely bricks and mortar, rush-hour traffic or an escape from the farm. Cities are vibrant, complex social environments that exert both constraining and liberating influences on its residents. Some view cities as no less than living, ecological entities with lives of their own. Others take the view that a city is little more than an instrument of exploitation wielded by the powerful. Still others believe that cities are simply collections of individuals in face-to-face interaction who are merely trying to cope. One thing is for certain, however… the city is the most remarkable social technology created by humankind. And given the UN predictions that 75% of the world’s population will be living in cities by 2050, it is clear that cities will continue to exert considerable influence on people well into the future.
After addressing the question ‘Why study cities?’, the course proceeds to trace the historical development of urban settlements from the time of the Agricultural Revolution through three subsequent Urban Revolutions to the present period. Because the complex nature of cities requires several theoretical perspectives to achieve a full understanding of their social organization and cultural life, an examination of a number of competing theoretical positions on the city is undertaken. The course then focuses on the role of social class, race and ethnicity in the shaping of urban culture with special attention given to women in cities. An examination of various social problems unique to the city is also offered along with a look at urbanization in developing countries, planning the urban environment and a tentative look into the future of cities and urban life. Along the way, the course of study examines the impact of the city on music, architecture, fashion, television, crime and social movements.
Required Readings
Turley, Alan C., Urban Culture: Exploring Cities & Cultures. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Prentice Hall, 2005
Orum, A.M., X. Chen, The World of Cities. Malden, MA: Blackwell Publishing, 2003
Grading Scheme
Midterm Exam………...……..…… 25%
Term Paper……..……………...…. 30%
Class Participation…..………...... 10%
Final Examination……....….…..…. 35%
Examinations
There are two formal examinations scheduled throughout the course of study. The examinations will be comprised of short answer and essay questions. Examinations are based on lectures, classroom activities, videos and readings from Urban Culture: Exploring Cities and Culture (Turley). The Midterm Exam is scheduled for our regular class time and location (see Course Schedule below). The location and date of the Final Exam will be announced at a future time. Please refer to the Grading Scheme for the weight of each examination.
Term Paper
There is one formal assignment to be prepared and submitted during the course of study. The assignment will be based on The World of Cities (Orum & Chen) and will entail the preparation of a 2000 word book review/analysis. Specific requirements will be announced at a later date. Please see the Grading Scheme for the weight of the assignment and the Course Schedule for the assignment deadline. Please note that a penalty of -5% per day will be applied to late assignments.
Course Schedule
September 7
Greetings & Expectations
Lecture: Demography, Urbanization and the Study of Urban Culture: A Primer
September 14
Reading: ‘Cities & Places’ (Orum pp. 1-11)
Lecture: The First and Second Urban Revolutions: Part 1
Class Discussion and Question Period
September 21
Reading: ‘Cities & Places’ (Orum pp. 11-24)
Lecture: The First and Second Urban Revolutions: Part 2
Video: 'The Factory and the Marketplace Revolution'
September 28
Reading: ‘A Definition of Urban Culture' (Turley pp.1-22)
Reading: 'The Urban Environment' (Turley pp.24-40)
Lecture: Theoretical Perspectives: Part 1
Class Discussion and Question Period
October 5
Reading: ‘Evolution of Culture in the City' (Turley pp.41-62)
Lecture: Theoretical Perspectives: Part 2
Class Discussion and Question Period
October 12
Reading: ‘Music in the City' (Turley pp.63-87)
Lecture: Stratification, Race, Ethnicity & Gender in the City: Part 1
Video: Gods of our Fathers
October 19
Midterm Examination: 7:00-8:30pm, BB 1021
Second half of class: to be announced
October 26
Reading: ‘Architecture and Fashion' (Turley pp.119-45)
Lecture: Lecture: Stratification, Race, Ethnicity & Gender in the City: Part 2
Class Discussion and Question Period
November 2
Reading: ‘Photography, Film and Television' (Turley pp.146-64)
Lecture: Urban Problems: Part 1
Video: TBA
November 9
Reading: ‘Government and State Culture Production...' (Turley pp.165-90)
Lecture: Urban Problems: Part 2
Class Discussion and Question Period
November 16
Reading: Spontaneous Culture and Social Movements (Turley pp.191-207)
Lecture: Cities in the Developing World
Video: ‘Human Tide’ (20 minutes)
November 23
Assignment Deadline: end of class
Reading: ‘The Bad City vs. The Good City' (Turley pp.209-31)
Lecture: The Future of Urban Life: Utopian Visions
Class Discussion and Question Period
Final Examination: date, time & location to be announced