The Department of Geography

College of Behavior and Social Sciences

Social Geography of Metropolitan Area in Global Perspective

GEOG 456 – Fall 2008

This elective course is offered for advanced undergraduate students.

Instructor: Mila Zlatic

e-mail: mzlatic@umd.edu

Office: 2178 LeFrak Hall, Office Phone: 301-405-8224

Office Hrs: Monday and Wednesday: 1:15 – 2:00, or by appointment MW at 4:45, TU at 4:30

Class meets: Monday and Wednesday: 2:00 – 3:15, LEF 2166

COURSE DESCRIPTION

The focus of the class will be on social fabric of contemporary cities. We will look into ways in which spatial organization affects social relations - a socio-spatial approach to human interaction with the urban environment; ways people perceive, define, behave in, and structure their cities and metropolitan areas. Spatial patterns of social activities as formed by the distribution and interaction of people and social institutions will be analyzed, and the focus of the discussions will be on controversial geographical issues of neighborhoods, segregation, homelessness, urban renewal and gentrification in the urban environment and on analyzing the opposite viewpoints that will create a running debate.

COURSE REQUIREMENTS

Blackboard

This course will use Blackboard - www.courses.umd.edu/studentmanuel. It is mandatory to get aquatinted with this tool. Without Blackboard features, students will not be able to participate in the exercises and their performance will be hindered.

Course update: students are expected to check Blackboard daily for announcement on changes in readings, exams, due dates, etc. All homework assignments and papers have to be posted on Blackboard. Hard copy will not be accepted.

Reading and Other Resources:

The readings for the course are assigned from two primary sources:

(1) required textbook, available for purchase at the University Book Center and the Maryland Book Exchange

Macionis, J.J and V.N. Parrillo (2004), Cities and Urban Life, Prentice Hall, ISBN: 0-13-111395-x

(2) Other readings available on the web may be assigned from different sources. Information and articles will be announced and posted on Blackboard.

DEBATE7DISCUSSION

Various urban problems will be explored during this course. Students will be responsible for undertaking research of one such problem and exploring arguments in support of or against the controversial issue. Students exploring the same problem will form a group and be ready for defending hers/his point of view. Besides he/she will have work with the other group members to submit written outline of the arguments to be used as a guidelines for the in-class debate7discussion (preferable as PP presentation to be used during the in-class discussion). Details about the debate with a choice of topics will be provided by the instructor at the beginning of the semester.

RESEARCH PAPER

Each student will have to prepare a term paper related to the debate topic of hers/his choice. The debate outline is the bases for the research paper and the topic should not be changed without the instructor’s approval. A term paper is limited to minimum 10 pages and maximum 12 pages not counting tables, charts, or other annexes (font 12, 1” margin, double-spaced, no cover page, has to have minimum of six scholarly papers. The textbook or assigned readings do not count towards the minimum requirement). Details on research paper could be obtained from the hand out “How to write a research paper” posted on Blackboard. All sources used in a paper have to be properly referenced using a recognized bibliographic format. Students could use MLA Handbook or any other writing manuals but have to be consistent in the form of citing resources. If a student has any questions about the written work, consult with me well in advance of the due date. I strongly recommend visiting the University Writing Center for help in writing.

ATTENDANCE POLICY

Attendance in my classes is mandatory. Participation in in-class discussion is part of the grade and students should realize that irregular attendance will result in a poor grade. Students who do not appear in class to carry on the assignments or to participate in debate and discussions, do not post their work on time on Blackboard will be given a score of "0" for each segment of the requirement.

GRADING

Task

% Grade

1. Participation in class discussions. Attendance and discussion is mandatory and will be included in the grade.

2. Presentation and leading of the discussion on a selected topic

3. 2 tests – midterm (20%) and final (25%)

4. Term paper (outline -10% and final paper 25%).

Total 100%

90-100 (A)

80-89 (B)

70-79 (C)

60-69 (D)

59 and > (F)

Note: Each segment of written class requirements – presentation, debate/research paper outline, final paper – has to be submitted on Blackboard.

ACADEMIC ACCOMMODATIONS

If you have a documented disability, you should contact Disability Support Services 0126 Shoemaker Hall. Each semester students with documented disabilities should apply to DSS for accommodation request forms which you can provide to your professors as proof of your eligibility for accommodations. The rules for eligibility and the types of accommodations can be reviewed on the DSS web site at http://www.counseling.umd.edu/DSS/receiving_serv.html.

RELIGIOUS OBSERVANCES

The University System of Maryland policy provides that students should not be penalized because of observances of their religious beliefs, students shall be given an opportunity, whenever feasible, to make up within a reasonable time any academic assignment that is missed due to individual participation in religious observances. It is the responsibility of the student to inform the instructor of any intended absences for religious observances in advance. Notice should be provided as soon as possible but no later than the end of the scheduled adjustment period.

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY

The University of Maryland has a nationally recognized Code of Academic Integrity, administered by the Student Honor Council.  This Code sets standards for academic integrity at Maryland for all undergraduate and graduate students.  The code prohibits students from cheating on exams, plagiarizing papers, submitting the same paper for credit in two courses without authorization, buying papers, submitting fraudulent documents, and forging signatures.  The University Senate encourages instructors to ask students to write the following signed statement on each examination or assignment:  "I pledge on my honor that I have not given or received any unauthorized assistance on this examination (or assignment).”

For more information on the Code of Academic Integrity or the Student Honor Council, please visit http://www.studenthonorcouncil.umd.edu/whatis.html

Tentative Schedule of Classes

Check Blackboard for any changes in the schedule or for additional readings

Week

Subject - Assignments

Readings

Textbook, lecture notes and articles posted on Blackboard

(1)

9/3

Introduction to social issues in the urban setting

Summary of the course

(2)

9/2-10

Exploring the city

Macionis – Chapter 1

(3)

9/15-17

History of city development – economic context of city life

A list of topics will be passed around the class – select a topic, and be prepared for a presentation and class discussion at the date indicated next to the topic

Macionis – Chapter 2 and 13

(4)

9/22-24

North American City/ Cities and Suburbs of the 20^th Century

Macionis – Chapter 3 and 4

(5)

9/29-10/1

The social arena of the city / Urbanism and social theory

Macionis – Chapter 5 and 6

(6)

10/6 -8

Patterns of socio spatial differentiations

Spatial and institutional framework

Outline: Submit detailed outline with annotated bibliography for your research paper. Instructions on Blackboard – Homework space.

Due: Wednesday 10/8 at 11:00 PM

Macionis – Chapter 7

(7)

10/13-15

Reading Day – Monday 10/13

MIDTERM EXAM – 10/15 - Wednesday

1- 6 weeks readings: Textbook, lecture notes and articles posted on Blackboard

(8)

10/20-22

The Cities and Culture

Debate (PP presentation or main debate points have to be posted on Blackboard on Monday 10/20) – debate on 10/22

Macionis – Chapter 8

(9)

10/27-29

The Cities and Capitalism

Debate (PP presentation or main debate points have to be posted on Blackboard on Monday 10/27) – debate on 10/29

Macionis – Chapter 9

(10)

11/3-5

Urban and Suburban Lifestyle

Debate (PP presentation or main debate points have to be posted on Blackboard on Monday 11/3) – debate on 11/5

Macionis – Chapter 10

(11)

11/10-12

Housing Provision

Debate (PP presentation or main debate points have to be posted on Blackboard on Monday 11/10) – debate on 11/12

Macionis – Chapter 12

(12)

11/17-19

Urban Diversity – Immigration

Debate (PP presentation or main debate points have to be posted on Blackboard on Monday 11/10) – debate on 11/12

Macionis – Chapter 11

(13)

11/24

Urban Diversity – Race and Ethnicity

Debate (PP presentation or main debate points have to be posted on Blackboard on Wednesday 11/19) – debate on Monday 11/24

Note: No class on Wednesday 11/26

Draft research paper due: Wednesday 11/26. Submission is voluntary and no grade will be applied. No late drafts will be accepted. Comments will be returned by Monday – 12/1

Macionis – Chapter 11

(14)

12/1-3

Urban Problems – Crime and Education Chalenge

Debate (PP presentation or main debate points have to be posted on Blackboard on Monday 12/1) – debate on 12/3

Macionis – Chapter 12

(15)

12/8-10

Course review and final discussion - Monday 12/8

Final Exam – Wednesday 12/10

8- 15 weeks of readings:

textbook, lectures, and

assigned articles

(16)

To be announced

Final paper due by the date/time of the final exam (see University exam schedule for exact time/date). No late paper will be accepted