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GEOG 305

INTRODUCTION TO THE CITY

3-4 credits.

Investigates urbanization as a general process, as well as the resulting contemporary physical, social, cultural and political- economic forms of cities. Emphasis will be placed on the history and current forms of spatial and social segregation of cities by race, class, ethnicity, and gender. The myriad ways that cities have addressed the tensions emerging from this history of spatial and social segregation will be highlighted. Further, emphasis will be placed on understanding the experiences of those most-affected by historical and continuing segregation.

Prerequisites & course information

Requisites: Sophomore standing Course Designation: Core GenEd - Civics & Perspectives Ethnic St - Ethnic Studies Breadth - Social Science Level - Intermediate L&S Credit - L&S Liberal Arts and Science Repeatable for Credit: No Last Taught: Fall 2026 Learning Outcomes: 1. Identify the largest factors influencing where, when, and how cities develop. Audience: Undergraduate 2. Explain historical and contemporary patterns of social inclusion and exclusion in cities and identify and explain their underlying causes and effects. Audience: Undergraduate 3. Apply lessons of the past to the puzzles of today’s cities. Audience: Undergraduate 4. Recognize and question assumptions about current city form, including racial segregation. Audience: Undergraduate 5. Recognize and question assumptions about the experience of contemporary urban dwellers, particularly as these are shaped by race, class, and gender. Audience: Undergraduate 6. Develop a consciousness of self and others. Audience: Undergraduate 7. Participate effectively in a multicultural society by embracing your role as a citizen of Madison; valuing the positive aspects of American urban culture, including diversity in its many forms; and understanding cities as primarily social entities and problems of organized complexity. Audience: Undergraduate Learning Outcomes: 1. Identify the largest factors influencing where, when, and how cities develop. Audience: Undergraduate 2. Explain historical and contemporary patterns of social inclusion and exclusion in cities and identify and explain their underlying causes and effects. Audience: Undergraduate 3. Apply lessons of the past to the puzzles of today’s cities. Audience: Undergraduate 4. Recognize and question assumptions about current city form, including racial segregation. Audience: Undergraduate 5. Recognize and question assumptions about the experience of contemporary urban dwellers, particularly as these are shaped by race, class, and gender. Audience: Undergraduate 6. Develop a consciousness of self and others. Audience: Undergraduate 7. Participate effectively in a multicultural society by embracing your role as a citizen of Madison; valuing the positive aspects of American urban culture, including diversity in its many forms; and understanding cities as primarily social entities and problems of organized complexity. Audience: Undergraduate

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