This syllabus is subject to change without notice. Contact the professor for most recent changes.

17-88-100-04 Introduction to the City

Minnesota State University, Mankato

Tues/Thursday 10:35 – 11:45 a.m.

Armstrong Hall 102

 

Instructor:      Dr. J.E. Cherrington      (Dr. “J”)           Phone/Voice Mail:  507-389-5031

Office: 106b Morris Hall           Office Hours--see *; also by appointment                               

 

*Instructor’s web page:  http://www.intech.mnsu.edu/cherrington

Class bulletin board:           “             “             “       “      “             (click on bulletin boards &

Intro To The City)

Required Texts:

Cities and Urban Life, Macionis, John I. & Vincent N. Parrillo, 2nd edition.

Funky Towns USA, Cramer, Mark

 

Other Required Supplies:

Intro to the City, 17-88-100-[04]  Class packet – available at Morris Hall Copy Shop. (It includes the Mankato walking tour booklet, field trip/lab projects & the “how to” student technology guide).

 

Purpose/Rationale for the Course:

This is a general education course that gives students a fresh look at cities, as well as the cultural and historical development of the city of Mankato.  It is designed to emphasize the reasons cities have grown, how people can make them more livable places, and the challenges cities face in the new millennium.

 

Course Outcomes:  Students, upon successful completion of this course, will demonstrate through verbal and written skills:

A.  Knowledge of the:

  1. basic principles of urban planning and how cities operate.
  2. influence of geography, history, sociodemographic, economic and political characteristics on the city.
  3. origins and development of world cities.
  4. evolution of North American cities from the 1600s to present day.
  5. theories of urban sociology and social psychology.
  6. roles of geography in urban spatial patterns.
  7. urban and suburban lifestyles as characterized by urban sociologists.
  8. revolutionary methodology for rating places based on their capacity to retain community originality.
  9. computer applications applied to urban studies.

B.  Values:

  1. A respect for the role of race, ethnicity and gender in a diverse urban environment.
  2. An appreciation for the complexity of urban life and the new urbanism movement to regenerate cities.
  3. A respect for the quality of life in large and small cities.
  4. An appreciation for the historical, cultural, and social venues of the host city of MSU.

 

C.  Skills in:

  1. Articulating the problems and opportunities facing cities today.
  2. Effective communication skills both oral and written.
  3. Scanning/importing photos/graphics, digital camera, word processing, presentation software.
  4. Small-group dynamics.
  5. Team project interaction and problem solving.