Geography 120:  Urban Geography:  A Global Perspective

 

Time:                          MWF 10:10-11:00 am

Location:                    114 Earth-Engineering Sciences Building

 

Instructor:                  Prof. Chris Benner

Department of Geography

318 Walker Building

865-6693

cbenner@psu.edu

            Office Hours:    Wednesday, 2:00-4:00 pm, or by appointment

                                   

Teaching Assistant:    Reuben Rose-Redwood

                                    330 Walker Building

                                    865-1646

                                    rsr158@psu.edu

                                    Office Hours:  Mondays, 11:30-12:30

Fridays, 2:30-3:30 pm, or by appointment

 

Course Description:

 

For the first time in the history of humankind, urban dwellers outnumbered rural residents in the year 2000.  The influence of cities extends to nearly every point on the globe.  Urban areas, however, differ dramatically in their physical structure, economic base governance patterns and the lived experiences of their residents, with diverse work patterns, striking inequalities in living conditions and varied cultural expression. In short, contemporary cities are vibrant and complex phenomenon formed by conflicting social forces and economic processes.

 

This course examines urban settlements and analyzes the processes of urbanization from a global perspective.  The goal is to provide students with basic information, concepts and analytical tools to understand contemporary processes of urbanization and urban change.  An over-riding theme in the course is examining the relationship between global and local factors in these processes.  Critical areas of inquiry include the economy of cities, politics, social interaction, urban social movements, land-use, and urban structure.  A significant portion of the course focuses on urbanization in the Third World. 

 

 

Text (required):

 

Pacione, Michael (2001)  Urban Geography:  A Global Perspective (London:  Routledge)

 

Additional reading materials may be assigned.  If so, they will be made available at the Earth and Mineral Science Library, 1st Floor Deike Building

Course Requirements and Grading:

 

PhotoCopy of Picture

5%

Best 3 out of 4 Tests

45%

Research Assignments (2)

50%

 

Quiz:

There will be four tests covering the text, lecture, and other readings and class materials. These tests will take place during the normal 50-minute class period and they are non-cumulative (i.e. they will only cover material since the previous test).  Only your highest three scores will count towards your final grade (i.e. you can drop your lowest grade). There is no final, cumulative, exam. The tests will be a combination of true/false, multiple choice, short answer, matching, and essay questions. Please notify the instructor of any official university conflicts as early in the semester as possible.

Research Assignments:

There will be two short research assignments.  The first assignment focuses on urbanization processes in the U.S.. The second focuses on urbanization in the Third World.  Students will work in pairs gathering historical, political, economic and demographic data related to a particular urban area, using library and web-based sources.  For each assignment, you will gather appropriate data about your area; analyze the data; and write a clear and concise memorandum summarizing the analysis. Specific details of the assignments will be provided in class at least three weeks prior to their due date.  If you need assistance with research techniques, databases, computer software, etc. beyond that which is provided in class, please see the assistant before the due date. Late assignments will be penalized 10 points (out of 100) for each day over due.

Learning Environment and Academic Integrity:

The University’s policy statement on academic integrity reads in part:

“Academic integrity mandates the pursuit of teaching, learning, research, and creative activity in an open, honest, and responsible manner. An academic community that values integrity promotes the highest levels of personal honesty, respect for the rights, property, and dignity of others, and fosters an environment in which students and scholars can enjoy the fruits of their efforts. Academic integrity includes a commitment neither to engage in acts of falsification, misrepresentation, or deception, nor to tolerate such acts by other members of the community.”    http://www.psu.edu/oldmain/prov/academicintegrity.htm

Learning takes place best in an environment of mutual respect and tolerance.  It requires proper preparation, critical thinking, and active engagement with the class material and engagement with your classmates and the instructors.  Active participation in class discussions is expected.  Plagiarism, cheating, knowledge of these without reporting them, or any other form of academic dishonesty will result in a failing grade for the course and referral for further disciplinary action. In all written work, you must reference and attribute sources. If you have any questions as to what may or may not constitute plagiarism or other forms of academic dishonesty, please see the instructor or the assistant.  Any violations of academic integrity will be dealt with following the University’s procedures, which are described in detail at http://www.psu.edu/dept/oue/aappm/G-9.html

Attendance:

Attendance is important. All lectures, films, exercises, guest speakers, and/or other presented material - in addition to the assigned readings - will be part of the tests. If overall class attendance drops below a level we consider acceptable, formal roll will be taken. In that case absences above three during the term will constitute cause for grade reduction.

Communications:

The class web page is http://www.geog.psu.edu/courses/geog120. This page will include the syllabus, research assignments, announcements, changes in schedule, and other relevant material.  Please do drop by during office hours if only to introduce yourself. Also, feel free to use e-mail as a forum for questions or discussion.

 

Tentative Schedule (Subject to change as needed):

 

#

Date

Topic

Readings

Assignments/

Tests

 

9/2

Tues

Introduction and Overview

 

 

 

Concepts and Theory in Urban Geography

1

9/3

Wed

Urban Geography:  An Overview

Chap 1, pp 3-19

2

9/5

Fri

Basic Concepts and Theory in Urban Geography

Chap 2, pp 20-35

 

An Urbanizing World—Broad Trends and Conditions

3

9/8

Mon

Origins and Growth of Cities

Chap 3, pp 37-65 (just skim 40-55)

4

9/10

Wed

Global Context and Regional Perspectives of Urbanization—The Americas

Chap 4, pp 67-74

Chap 5, pp 88-94

5

9/12

Fri

Regional Perspectives of Urbanization—Europe, Asia, Africa.

Chap 5, pp 94-110

6

9/15

Mon

National Urban Systems

Chap 6, pp 111-128

 

9/17

Wed

First Test
First Test

Assignment #1 Handed Out

 

Urban Structure and Land Use in the Western City

 

9/19

Fri

Land Use in Pennsylvania

Video: Saving Pennsylvania (62909)

7

9/22

Mon

Land Use in the City

Chap 7, pp 131-156

8

9/24

Wed

Urban Planning and Policy

Chap 8, pp 157-178

9

9/26

Fri

Migration and Neighborhood Change

Chap 10, pp 191-208

10

9/29

Mon

Housing Problems and Policy

Chap 11, pp 209-228

11

10/1

Wed

Urban Retailing

Chap 12, pp 229-247

12

10/3

Fri

Urban Transportation

Chap 13, pp 248-263

13

10/6

Mon

Second Test

Second Test

 

 

 

 

 

Living in the City:  Economy, Society and Politics in the Western City

13

10/8

Wed

The Economy of Cities—Fordism, Flexibility and Globalization

Chap 14, pp 267-288

 

10/10

Fri

Study Day:  No Classes!!

 

14

10/13

Mon

Work and Division of Labor

 

15

10/15

Wed

Poverty, Deprivation and Inequality

Chap 15, pp 289-311

 

16

10/17

Fri

Race, Class and Urban Space

Chap 18, pp 348-379 (just skim 348-357)

17

10/20

Mon

Gender and Urban Space

Assignment #1 Due

18

10/22

Wed

Queers in Space

Video:  The Times of Harvey Milk (90897)

19

10/24

Fri

Responses to Urban Economic Change—Market and Top-Down

Chap 16, pp 312-331

20

10/27

Mon

Responses to Urban Economic Change—Bottom-Up

Video:  Holding Ground: The Rebirth of Dudley Street (62547)

21

10/29

Wed

Collective Consumption and Social Justice

Chap 17, pp 332-347

 

22

10/31

Fri

Politics and the Structure of Local Government

Chap 20, pp 401-428

23

11/3

Mon

Power and Urban Governance

 

 

11/5

Wed

Third Test
Third Test

Assignment #2 handed out

Urban Geography in the Third World

24

11/7

Fri

Context of global urban system
Chap 21, pp 431-446

25

11/10

Mon

Internal Structure of Third World Cities

Chap 22, pp 447-460

26

11/12

Wed

Migration in the Third World

Chap 23, pp 461-475

27

11/14

Fri

Urban Economy and Employment—Evolution and Structure

Chap 24, pp 476-489

28

11/17

Mon

Urban Economy and Employment—Labor market structure and segmentation

Video: Commanding Heights:  The Battle for the World Economy, Episode 3: http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/commandingheights/hi/index.html

& Mickey Mouse Goes to Haiti

29

11/19

Wed

Housing in the Third World

Chap 25, pp 490-518

30

11/21

Fri

Environmental Issues

Chap 26, pp 519-536

Video: Journey to Planet Earth: 2 — The Urban Experience (62765)

31

11/24

Mon

Health in the Third World City

Chap 27, pp 537-550

 

11/26

Wed

No class:  Thanksgiving Break

 

 

11/28

Fri

Thanksgiving Break: No Class

 

32

12/1

Mon

Traffic and Transport

Chap 28, pp 551-561

33

12/3

Wed

Poverty, power and politics

Chap 29, pp 562-576

34

12/5

Fri

Urban Social Movements
Video:  Hopes on the Horizon (91877)
Assignment #2 Due

 

 

 

 

 

The Future of Cities

35

12/8

Mon

Sustainability and Urban Development

Chap 30, pp 579-598

36

12/10

Wed

Information Technology and Urban Processes

No reading

 

12/12

Fri

Fourth test
Fourth test