1.
To
increase the students’ understanding of the varieties of urban
landscapes in
different historical, national, cultural, and socio-political contexts.
2.
Using
Russian cities as the case studies, to explore how various academic
disciplines
ranging from geography to sociology and culture studies explore urban
issues in
different yet complimentary ways.
3.
To
appreciate the cross-cultural similarities and differences in Russian
contributions to both the forms of urban life, and the study of cities.
4.
To
develop students’ critical analytical skills through reflection of the
validity
of Western conceptualizations of urban life and city forms against the
Russian
experience.
Tentative Schedule:
WEEK
Introduction to the
course
1. Exploring the City
2. The Origins and
Development of Cities
3. The Development of
N American, European, and
4. Cities and Suburbs
of the 21st Century
WEEK II. DISCIPLINARY
PERSPECTIVES
5. Urban Sociology:
Classical and Modern Statements
6. Social Psychology:
The Urban Experience
7. Geography and
Spatial Perspectives: Making Sense of
Space
8. Comparative
Urbanism: The City and Culture
9. The New Urban
Sociology: The City and Capitalism
WEEK III. THE ANATOMY OF THE
CITY. URBAN UTOPIAS. PLANNING
10. Social Class:
Urban and Suburban Lifestyles
11. Ethnicity and
Gender: Urban Diversity
12. Housing,
Education, Crime: Confronting Urban
Problems
13. Communist
Cities: Designing Utopia
14. Planning the
Urban Environment of the Future