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Courses & Requirements
 Cities Course Description
Major Requirements
Minor Requirements
List of Courses
2008-2009
Course Listing:
Fall
2008
Spring
2009
Cities Course Description
The interdisciplinary growth and structure of cities major challenges the student to understand the dynamic relationship of urban spatial organization and the built environment to politics, economics, cultures and societies. Core introductory classes present analytic approaches that explore the changing forms of the city over time and analyze the variety of ways through which men and women have recreated urban life through time and across cultures. With these foundations, students pursue their interests through classes in planning, architecture, urban social and economic relations, urban history and the environmental conditions of urban life. Advanced seminars bring together these discussions by focusing on specific cities and topics.
Major Requirements
A minimum of 15 courses (11 courses in Cities and four allied courses) are required to complete the major. Two introductory courses (185, 190) balance formal and sociocultural approaches to urban form and the built environment, and introduce crosscultural and historical comparison of urban development. The introductory sequence should be completed with a broader architectural survey course (253, 254, 255) and an intensive writing course (229 or substitute). These courses should be completed as early as possible in the first and second years; at least two of them must be taken by the end of the first semester of the sophomore year.
In addition to these introductory courses, each student selects six elective courses within the Cities Program, including cross-listed courses. At least two must be at the 300 level. In the senior year, a third advanced course is required. Most students join together in a research seminar, 398. Occasionally, however, after consultation with the major advisers, the student may elect another 300-level course or a program for independent research. This is often the case with double majors.
Finally, each student must identify four courses that represent additional expertise to complement her work in the major. These may include courses such as physics and calculus for architects, special skills in design, language or regional interests. Any minor, concentration or second major also fulfills this requirement.
Both the Cities Program electives and the four or more related courses outside the program must be chosen in close consultation with the major advisers in order to create a strongly coherent sequence and focus. Note that those cities courses that are cross-listed with other departments or originate in them can be counted only once in the course selection, although they may be either allied or elective courses.
Students should also note that many courses in the program are given on an alternate-year basis. Many carry prerequisites in art history, economics, history, sociology and the natural sciences. Hence, careful planning and frequent consultations with the major advisers are particularly important. Special arrangements are made for double majors.
Given the interdisciplinary emphasis and flexibility of the program, it is rare that the programs of any two cities majors will be the same. Recurrent emphases, however, reflect the strengths of the major and incorporate the creative trajectories of student interests. See our Special Programs page for more information.
Minor Requirements
Requirements for the minor in the Cities
program are at least two out of the four
required courses and four Cities electives,
of which two must be at the 300
level. Senior Seminar is not mandatory in
fulfilling the Cities minor.
List of Courses (click titles for recent syllabi)
Below is a comprehensive list of courses that have been offered in recent years. Please refer to the course listing links at the top of the page for current offerings.
103. Earth System Science
and the Environment (Hoyle, Division
IIL; cross-listed as GEOL 103)
121. Exploring Society by the Numbers (Karen, Division I and Quantitative Skills; cross-listed as SOCL B121)
175.
Environment and Society-History, Place & Problems - NEW!
The ideas, themes, and methodologies of the interdisciplinary field of environmental studies, beginning with definitions: what is nature? what is environment? and how do people and their settlements fit into each? Distinct disciplinary approaches are then addressed in which scholarship can and does (and does not) inform others. Assignments introduce methodologies of environmental studies, requiring reading landscapes, working with census data and government reports, critically interpreting scientific data, and analyzing work of experts. Counts toward environmental studies concentration. (Stroud, Division I; cross-listed as SOCL B175)
180. Introduction to Urban Planning
Lecture and technical class that considers
broad issues of global planning as well as
the skills and strategies necessary to the
field. This may also be linked to the
study of specific issues of planning such
as waterfront development or sustainability.
(staff, Division I) Not offered in 2006-07.
185. Urban Culture and Society
Techniques and questions of the social sciences as tools for studying historical and contemporary cities. Topics include political-economic organization, conflict and social differentiation (class, ethnicity and gender), and cultural production and representation. Both qualitative and quantitative methods are explored. Philadelphia features prominently in discussion, reading and exploration. (Arbona, Division I; cross-listed as ANTH B185)
Read more about Cities 185 in the Alumnae Bulletin:
Feature article - course overview
Marshall Fellow Trecia Pottinger '03 - "Political Spaces"
Praxis
Allison Hayes Conroy - Environmental Studies
190. The Form of the City: Urban
Form from Antiquity to the Present
The city as a three-dimensional artifact.
A variety of factors geography, economic
and population structure, politics,
planning and aesthetics are considered
as determinants of urban form. (Hein,
Division I or III; cross-listed as ANTH
190 and HART 190)
203. Ancient Greek Cities and Sanctuaries (Wright, Division III; cross-listed
as ARCH
203.) Not offered in 2006-07.
205. Social Inequality (Karen, Division I; cross-listed as SOCL 205) Not offered in 2006-07.
206. Statistical Methods in Economics
(Ross, Quantitative Skills; cross-listed as ECON 203)
207. Topics in Urban Studies: Philadelphia Architecture
This course involves systematic intermediate-level study of urban issues and topics
aimed at polishing skills in data collection,
analysis and writing. Such study
may focus on particular cities, sets of
institutions across cities or global issues
such as development, immigration or
mass media. (Cohen, Division I or III)
209. Medical Anthropology
(Pashigian, Division I; cross-listed as ANTH B210)
210. Natural Hazards
(Weil, Division II and Quantitative Skills; cross-listed as GEOL B209) Not offered in 2006-07.
212. Medieval Architecture (Kinney,
Division III; cross-listed as HART 212) Not offered in 2006-07.
213. Taming the Modern Corporation (Ross, Division I; cross-listed as
ECON 213)
214. Public Finance (Newburger, Division
I; cross-listed as ECON 214)
217. Research Design and Public
Policy
This class engages quantitative, qualitative
and spatial techniques in the investigation
and analysis of urban issues.
While the emphasis is on designing
research strategies in the context of public
policy, students interested in other
areas should also consider this course.
This course is designed to help students
prepare for their senior thesis. Form and
topic will vary. Enrollment may be limited.
(Arbona, Division I or III)
218. Globalization and the City
This course introduces students to contemporary issues related to the urban built environment in Africa, Asia and Latin America (collectively referred to as the Third World or developing countries) and the implications of recent political and economic changes. (Arbona, Division I)
Not offered in 2006-07. 221. U.S. Economic History (Redenius, Division I; cross-listed as
ECON 221)
222. Introduction to Environmental
Issues: Movements, Controversies and
Policy-Making in Comparative Perspective (Hager, Division I; cross-listed
as POLS 222)
226. Introduction to Architectural and
Urban Design
An introduction to the principles of
architectural and urban design. Prerequisites:
some history of art or history of
architecture and permission of instructor.
(Voith, Olshin, Division III)
227. Topics in the Modern Planning
An introduction to planning that focuses,
depending on year and professor, on a
general overview of the field or on specific
cities or contexts. (Hein, Division III; cross-listed as HART B227) Not offered in 2006-07.
228. Problems in Architectural Design
A continuation of Cities 226 at a more
advanced level. Prerequisites: CITY 226
or other comparable design work and
permission of instructor. (Voith,
Olshin, Division III)
229. Comparative Urbanism
An examination of approaches to urban development that focuses on systematic comparison of individual cities through an original research paper that is written in multiple drafts. Themes and cities vary from year to year, although a variety of cultural areas are examined in each offering. In 2006, for example, the class examined growth beyond cities - suburbs, "grand ensembles," new towns, gated communities, shantytowns and sprawl, with case materials from Buenos Aires, Hong Kong, Los Angeles, Paris and Philadelphia. Other topics have included nature and the city, colonial and post-colonial cities, and race and immigration. (McDonogh, Division I; cross-listed as ANTH B229 and EAST B229) Not offered in 2006-07.
232. Latin American Urban Development
A theoretical and empirical analysis in a historical setting of the factors that have shaped the urban development of Latin America, with emphasis on the relationship between political and social change and economic growth. (Arbona, Division I; cross-listed as HART B232) Not offered in 2006-07.
234. Environmental Economics (Ross, Division I; cross-listed as ECON 234)
237. Urbanization in Africa (Ngalamulume, Division I or III; cross-listed as HIST B237)
242. Urban Field Research Methods (Takenaka, Division I; cross-listed as ANTH B242 and SOCL B242)
Not offered in 2006-07.
244. Great Empires of the Ancient Near East (Takenaka, Division I; cross-listed as ANTH B242 and SOCL B242) Not offered in 2006-07.
247. Topics: German Cultural Studies (Kenosian, Division I or III; cross-listed as GERM B223 and HIST B247) Not offered in 2006-07.
248. Modern Middle Eastern Cities (Harrold, Division I; cross-listed as HEBR 248 and POLS 248) Not offered in 2006-07.
249. Asian American Communities (Takenaka, Division I; cross-listed as ANTH 249 and SOCL 249) Not offered in 2006-07.
253. Survey of Western Architecture
The major traditions in Western architecture are illustrated through detailed analysis of selected examples from classical antiquity to the present. The evolution of architectural design and building technology, and the larger intellectual, aesthetic and social context in which this evolution occurred, are considered. (Hein, Cast Division III; cross-listed as ANTH B254, HART B253 and HIST B253) Not offered in 2006-07.
254. History of Modern Architecture
A survey of the development of modern architecture since the 18th century, with principal emphasis on the period since 1890. (Steffensen, Division III; cross-listed as HART B254)
255. Survey of American Architecture
An examination of forms, figures, contexts
and imaginations in the construction
of the American built environment
from colonial times to the present.
Materials in and from Philadelphia figure
as major resources. (Cohen, Division III;
cross-listed as HART 255)
258. L'Espace réinventé: la ville et ses enchantements
The cityscape is a dominant figure in the 19th and 20th century, influencing and even structuring beliefs. Urban theory and cultural criticism will supplement literary analysis as we consider how poets Baudelaire, Rimbaud, Claudel, Apollinaire, Breton, Ben Jelloun and Reda have sought to restore immediacy and depth through lyric voice. Prerequisite: FREN 102, 105, a 200-level French course, placement at the 200-level or permission of the instructor. (Anderson; cross-listed as FREN B258)
266. Schools in American Cities (Cohen, Division I; cross-listed as EDUC 266 and SOCL 266)
267. History of Philadelphia, 1682 to Present
(Shore, Division I or III; cross-listed as
HIST 267) Not offered in 2006-07.
270. Japanese Architecture and
Planning
The built environment in Japan does not
resemble its American or European counterparts,
leading visitors to characterize it
as visually chaotic even as recent
observers praise its lively traditional
neighborhoods. This course will explore
characteristics of Japanese cities, their
history and presence, and examine the
particular cultural, political, economic
and social contexts of urban form in
Japan. (Hein, Division III; cross-listed as
EAST 270)
273.
Topics in Early and Medieval China: Material, Social, and Philosophical Cultures (Lin, Division III; cross-listed as East Asian Studies 272)
278. American Environmental History
Explores major themes of American environmental history, examining changes in the American landscape, development of ideas about nature, and the history of environmental activism. Explores definitions of nature, environment and environmental history while investigating interactions between Americans and their physical worlds. Counts toward environmental studies concentration. (Stroud, Division I or III; cross-listed as HIST 278)
302. Greek Architecture (Webb,
Division III; cross-listed as ARCH 302
and HART 301) Not offered in 2006-07.
303. Topics in American History: Immigration and Ethnicity (Shore, Division III; cross-listed as
HIST 303)
305. Ancient Athens: Monuments and
Art (Miller-Collett; cross-listed as
ARCH
305) Not offered in 2006-07.
306. Advanced Fieldwork Techniques:
Places in Time
A seminar and workshop for research
into the history of place, with student
projects presented in digital form on the
Web. Architectural and urban history,
research methods and resources for probing
the history of place, the use of tools
for creating Web pages and digitizing
images, and the design for informational
experiences are examined. (Cohen,
Division I or III)
312.
Topics in Medieval Art
(Easton, Division III; cross-listed as HART 311) Not offered in 2006-07.
314. Topics in Social Policy (Newburger, Division I; cross-listed as
ECON 314)
319. Advanced Topics in German Cultural Studies: Vienna 1900 (Meyer, Division I; cross-listed as GERM 321, GERM 321 and HART 348)
321. Technology and Politics (Hager; cross-listed as Political Science 321) Not offered in 2006-07.
328. Geographic Info Systems (staff; cross-listed as ARCH B328 and GEOL B328).
330. Comparative Economic Sociology: Societies of the North and South (Osirim; cross-listed as SOCL 330) Not offered in 2006-07.
334. Seminar on the Economics of
Poverty and Discrimination (Newburger, Division I; cross-listed as
ECON 324) Not offered in 2006-07.
335.
Mass Media & the City
An examination of urban culture as a ground for conflict, domination and resistance through both theoretical and applied analysis of production, texts, readings and social action within a political/economic framework. In 2004, for example, this course dealt with the city and mass media, including imagery, ownership, audience and reinterpretation as well as critical cultural policy. Materials were drawn from U.S. and global media, from comics to the Internet, with special emphasis on film and television.
(McDonogh, Division I; cross-listed as
ANTH 335) Not offered in 2006-7.
338. The New African Diaspora: African and Caribbean Immigrants in the U.S. (cross-listed as SOCL 338)
345. Advanced Topics in Environment and Society: Environmental Justice in Action
This Praxis 3 seminar will put the ideas and ideals of enviromental justice into action by combining seminar meetings, readings and writing assignments about environmental inequalities with volunteer action. Every student will work 6-8 hours/week with a community organization to promote environmental justice. Among the issues we will be working with will be food security, health and healthcare, access to green space, safe housing and communities, and pollution, with particular attention to the interactions between those issues and racism, poverty, and discrimination. Priority will be given to students who have a project and worksite approved by December 14th.(Stroud, Division I; cross-listed as SOCL 346)
348. Culture and Ethnic Conflict (Ross; cross-listed as Political Science 348) Not offered in 2006-07.
355.
Topics in the History of London: The History of London Since the 18th Century (Cast, Division I or III; cross-listed as
HART B355 and
HIST B355)
360. Topics in Urban Culture and
Society: Theories of the City
A systematic reading of major theories and theorists of the city, including Marx, Harvey, Castells, Lefebvre and others. Limited to 15 with preference for cities majors and related majors. (Arbona, Division I; cross-listed as ANTH B359)
365. Smart Growth: Policies and Techniques for Managing Urban Development and Redevelopment
An examination of the ways in which law and planning can serve to constrain sprawl in the contemporary United States and foster redevelopment. The seminar will examine both general issues and theories of development and case studies dealing with zoning, eminent domain and other intersections of law and development. Limited to 15 with preference for cities majors. (Keene, Division I)
378. Formative Landscapes: The Architecture and Planning of American Collegiate Campuses
An exploration of the architecture, planning and visual rhetoric of American collegiate campuses from their early history to the present. Historical consideration of design trends and projected imageries will be complemented by student exercises involving documentary research on design genesis and contexts, discussion of critical reception, evidence of contemporary performance and perception, and digital presentation. (Cohen, Division III)
398. Senior Seminar
An intensive research seminar. (Arbona, Hein, Stroud)
399. Senior Thesis
An intensive research seminar.
(staff)
403. Independent Study (staff)
450. Urban Internships (Praxis III)
Individual opportunities to engage in
praxis in the greater Philadelphia area;
internships must be arranged prior to registration
for the semester in which the
internship is taken. Enrollment is limited
to five students a semester. Prerequisite:
permission of instructor. (staff)
Haverford and Swarthmore courses may
fulfill electives in the Cities program.
They may be identified in course listings
and discussed with the major advisers.
Courses at the University of Pennsylvania
may sometimes be substituted for
certain electives in the Cities program;
these should be examined in conjunction
with the major advisers.
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