Topics in American History: The Urban Crisis: Historical Perspectives on Modern American Cities.

3 units

Since World War II, American cities have undergone enormous changes. Industrial decline, rumbling neighborhoods, rigid segregation, racial trauma, and suburban sprawl have all contributed to a troubled urban world. This course will equip students with an historical perspective on the urban crisis. Rather than simply identifying urban problems, we will use the tools of historical inquiry to grapple with the underlying causes of these problems. Students will learn the value of history as a method for illuminating the social, cultural, political, and economic forces that underlie the current urban crisis. Students will also apply their historical understandings toward the creation of an informed position on metropolitan policy and planning issues.