URBS 100-04 Introduction to the City

 Minnesota State University, Mankato

Tues/Thursday MH103 9:30-10:45 p.m.

Spring 2006

 

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

Instructor:      Dr. J.E. Cherrington      (Dr. “J”)          

Office: 104 Morris Hall Office Hours--see website; also by appointment

www.intech.mnsu.edu/cherrington                   

 

Required Texts:

Cities and Urban Life, Macionis, John I. & Vincent N. Parrillo, 2nd edition (2001).

(Must be 2nd edition)

Other Required Supplies:

Intro to the City, 17-88-100-Cherrington Class packet – available at Morris Hall Copy Shop. (It includes field projects, group summary sheets, and other class handouts.

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. revolutionary methodology for rating places based on their capacity to retain community originality. (funky places)
  3. origins and development of world cities and the role of a world citizen.
  4. evolution of cities from the 1600s to present day.
  5. theories of urban sociology, social psychology, and influences of social/cultural phenomena.
  6. roles of geography in urban spatial patterns, international problems and social differences.
  7. urban and suburban lifestyles as characterized by urban sociologists.
  8. urban political economy theory as a basis for understanding the structure of cities.
  9. race, ethnicity, and gender as they relate to urban diversity and unequal power relations b/t groups.
  10. political system at the local level: city council and planning commission meetings.
  11. university’s host city—Mankato.

 

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 and other cities.

 

C.  Skills in:

  1. Articulating the problems and opportunities facing cities today.
  2. Effective communication skills both oral and written.
  3. Conducting field assignments.
  4. Working in small groups.

 

American Disabilities Act (ADA)

ADA requires that the university provide services for persons with disabilities.  For more information regarding the services that are available to you, please contact the MSU Disability Services Office at (507) 389-2825 (V) or 1-800-627-3529 (MRS/TTY).  If you are a person with a disability, please discuss you special needs with this instructor within the first week of class.  This will allow you and the instructor ample opportunities to make arrangement for taking notes, completion of assignments, and examinations.

 

Methods of Instruction and Teaching Strategies:

Multiple instructional methods will be used in this class.  These include lecture, guest speakers, audiovisual presentations, group activities/discussions and out-of-class field projects.  The thrust of this course is to examine how and why cities offer opportunities and problems.  Students will be responsible for reading the text, weekly field project assignments, and course handouts.  Lastly, in order to understand cities, you will need to let your mind “go visiting” so you can engage in abstract thinking.

 

Instructor Policies:

Tests:  Once a student has finished an exam and left the classroom, no other exams will be distributed that day.  In other words, if you are late for an exam and a classmate has finished and left the classroom, you will sit for a make-up exam. Consequently, attendance and punctuality are most important on exam days.  Students may sit for only ONE make-up exam, which will be in essay format.   It is the student’s responsibility to make an appointment within one week of the original test date to take the make-up essay test.  The instructor reserves the right to give random quizzes if students fail to keep up with the reading assignments.  Missed quizzes cannot be made up.

 

Always bring TWO copies of field projects to class.  At the beginning of class, one copy should be placed on the instructor’s desk, the other should remain with you to use as a basis for group discussion and/or random reading.  If you fail to do this, you will loose class participation points.  Always be sure to list URSI 100-[section no.] (shown on 1st page of this syllabus) on all work submitted or emailed.  Field projects should be formatted following the sample in the class packet.

 

IMPORTANT:  All writing assignments must be typewritten and STAPLED; submission of excessively sloppy or below college level work will be returned for no grade credit.

N.B.—Field projects are one means to offset low-test scores—take advantage of this leverage and turn them in on time.

 

Assignments are due on dates noted--late assignments will not be accepted—if you are going to be absent, have another student deliver your assignment (you may email ONE field project) BEFORE CLASS BEGINS.  If you have an unforeseen emergency, advise the instructor ASAP.  

 

Cell Phones/Beepers: When cell phones and beepers go off in class they are very distracting to others.  Please turn off your cell phones and beepers during class time or if possible put them on vibration mode.  Thank you.

 

Course Expectations:

Attendance:  Students play an important role in educating and challenging each other, which can happen only with consistent attendance.  Questions from the instructor’s lectures will be included in the course tests.   Roll will be taken throughout the semester and poor attendance will lower your grade. 

 

Class Participation/Group Work:  This course is an interactive class in which students are active participants—this means orally responding to questions and offering points of discussion.   Active class participation makes for an energized learning environment.  Students will work in groups to discuss field projects and one (1) group summary sheet (in class pkt.) of the groups’ discussion should be completed and turned in at the end of these discussions.

 

Student Code of Ethics:  Students should familiarize themselves with the university’s policy on cheating and plagiarism.  The instructor will strictly uphold these guidelines.

 

Assignments:

1)  Readings:  You are expected to read the assignments on the weekly schedule, which may become the basis for quizzes.  Lectures are based on the readings and provide a springboard for student discussion. 

 

2)  Field Projects: Directions for completing the field projects are included with the class packet; also a sample field project template is included.  Always be sure to note URSI 100- [the section number] on hard copies.  Multiple pages must be stapled before submitting and be typed.  Due dates are not negotiable—due dates are listed on the attached weekly course schedule.  Field projects are due on Thursday (unless announced otherwise).  One of the field projects is to attend a city council or planning commission meeting.  Plan ahead which meeting you will attend so your FP is ready on time.  A list of the city websites is attached so you can check meeting dates and times.  You must get and attach a meeting AGENDA to your Field Project to receive assignment credit! 

 

3)  Tests:   Tests will be on dates shown on the attached weekly schedule or final exam schedule.  The instructor reserves the right to make changes, but these will be announced in class.  If you are absent you are responsible to find out about class announcements from a fellow classmate.    Test questions will be based on class lectures—so take notes--, videos, and readings. Note:  If you are absent for a test, it is your responsibility to schedule with my graduate assistant to take an essay test within one week in place of the one you missed.  Be sure to bring a “blue book” for the essay test.  Only one test can be made up.

 

 

 

To be announced in class

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

URSI 100 INTRO TO THE CITY

Weekly Course/Reading Assignment Guide

To be announced at start of class.