SOC 110 - Introduction to Cities and Global Society

3 Credits, 3 Contact Hours
3 lecture periods 0 lab periods

Introduction to the study of the urban environment. Includes exploring the city, city form and city culture, urban diversity, and urban and global dilemmas and possible solutions. Also includes a special emphasis on understanding cities and the impact of globalization at community, national, and international levels.

Information: Same as GLS 110.
Gen-Ed: Meets AGEC - SBS and G; Meets CTE - SBS and G.

Course Learning Outcomes

Identify worldwide urban beginnings, classifications, and evolutions.
Trace patterns of urban culture and social relations.
Interpret urban residential patterns and spatial narratives.
Analyze and propose urban solutions that address specific local and global problems.

Outline:

Exploring the City
1. Explaining the city: sociological, anthropological, and other disciplinary perspectives
2. Urban histories
3. Understanding community
4. International and local examples used
City Form and City Culture
1. Economic and residential patterns
2. Environmental social psychology
3. Image and style
4. Cultural narratives of place
5. International and local examples used
Urban Diversity
1. Racial/ethnic/gender/sexuality, and other categories of difference
2. Stratification in the city
3. Order, control, and deviance
4. Politics and power relations
5. International and local examples used
Urban and Global Dilemmas and Possible Solution
1. The political economy of globalization and urbanization
2. Fiscal and international problems
3. Social problems: housing, transportation, pollution, water, etc.
4. Global cities of the future
5. International and local examples used