Urban Geography

(4 Credits)

Today, more than half of the planet's population resides in towns and cities of different sizes. This is expected to rise to sixty-six percent by 2050, also known as “planetary urbanism.” In this course we will consider different understandings of what cities are, how they come into being and why. We will collectively develop an understanding of what it means to be urban and what the urban should look like. We will explore Global cities vs world class cities, urban development and poverty, urban social movements, urban governance, urban margins in the North and the South, urban environmental justice, and urban violence. This course introduces the methods and theories that have shaped the field of Urban Geography - providing students with research tools and techniques used by geographers. Prerequisite: None. Fulfillment: Humanities Introductory course, Humanities minor requirement; Social Science focus Urban studies 200 level.