Course Description
The use of urban areas by individuals and institutions. Topics include urban ecology, crime, residential segregation, and poverty.
Athena Title
SOC OF URBAN LIFE
Prerequisite
SOCI 1101 or SOCI 1101H or SOCI 2600 or permission of department
Semester Course Offered
Not offered on a regular basis.
Grading System
A - F (Traditional)
Course Objectives
Students will become familiar with classical ecological models of urban living-i.e. ways in which physical boundaries and natural areas influence human relations. Secondly, students will learn the interrelatedness of ecological perspectives of urban life; such as the extent to which city layout facilitates or inhibits crime and delinquency, structures interpersonal interaction, and alters city growth. Students will explore contemporary issues in urban sociology including urban poverty, residential segregation, urban space, and urban culture. The ultimate goal of this course is to provide students a sociological understanding of urban life to complement their existing knowledge of life in the city.
Topical Outline
1. Chicago School of Sociology 2. Human/Urban Ecology 3. Crime and Urban Ecology 4. Urban Life and Social Interaction 5. Residential Segregation 6. Urban Poverty 7. Urban Problems 8. Urban Culture: Rap and Rock 9. Urban Violence (View Film) 10.Urban Collective Action