SOCI 202 Urban Sociology

The purpose of this course is to introduce students to the concepts, theories, and research that have been developed to understand what it is like to live in cities, the forces that drive the development of cities, and the social problems unique to urban life. Students who complete this course will be able to critically analyze the development of cities in the US and globally using sociological  theories  and methods, and apply that analysis to find solutions to urban problems.

Credits

3

Prerequisite

Eligible to enroll in ENGL 121

Hours Weekly

3 hours weekly

Course Objectives

1. 1. Summarize critically the classical and contemporary theories and research aimed at
   understanding urbanization and urban social life.
   
2. 2. Identify the major analytical frameworks and theoretical perspectives in urban sociology,
   describe their differences in levels of analysis and explanatory assumptions, and determine
   their own theoretical orientation toward a variety of urban problems or issues.
3. 3. Use and evaluate the methods of sociology to assess evidence on issues involving
   urbanization and urban life.
4. 4. Apply sociological theory and research to controversies about urban planning and
   development to draw conclusions about resolving them.
5. 5. Evaluate various theories about urban poverty, homelessness, crime, and substance abuse
   and come to their own conclusions.
   
6. 6. Analyze suburbanization and gentrification and assess their impact on urban development.
7. 7. Analyze the relationship between changes in social structure and the nature of urban
   bohemias and subcultural enclaves.
   
8. 8. Evaluate various approaches to urban planning and development and assess their efficacy in
   solving urban problems.
9. 9. Formulate specific, unified and concise theses through writing that demonstrate an understanding of sociological thinking.

Course Objectives

1. 1. Summarize critically the classical and contemporary theories and research aimed at
   understanding urbanization and urban social life.
   
2. 2. Identify the major analytical frameworks and theoretical perspectives in urban sociology,
   describe their differences in levels of analysis and explanatory assumptions, and determine
   their own theoretical orientation toward a variety of urban problems or issues.
3. 3. Use and evaluate the methods of sociology to assess evidence on issues involving
   urbanization and urban life.
4. 4. Apply sociological theory and research to controversies about urban planning and
   development to draw conclusions about resolving them.
5. 5. Evaluate various theories about urban poverty, homelessness, crime, and substance abuse
   and come to their own conclusions.
   
6. 6. Analyze suburbanization and gentrification and assess their impact on urban development.
7. 7. Analyze the relationship between changes in social structure and the nature of urban
   bohemias and subcultural enclaves.
   
8. 8. Evaluate various approaches to urban planning and development and assess their efficacy in
   solving urban problems.
9. 9. Formulate specific, unified and concise theses through writing that demonstrate an understanding of sociological thinking.