GEO 366
University at Buffalo

Urban Geography

Dr. Meghan Cope

Fall 2002

Class Meets: Mondays & Wednesdays, 2:00 - 3:20 pm, Fillmore 322
Dr. Cope's office hours: Fridays, 1:00 - 3:00 (or by appointment) in Wilkeson 118
Office phone: 645-2722 ext. 25
e-mail: mcope@buffalo.edu

Course website: http://www.geog.buffalo.edu/~mcope/courses/geo366/index.html

Course Overview and Objectives:

It is now estimated that more than half of the earth's residents live in urbanized areas (we'll define what this means in class), so the workings of cities and towns, their roles in economics, politics, culture, and the environment are increasingly important. This course focuses on how cities develop, change, and go through "boom-bust" cycles, and on how these processes are both affected by human actions and in turn affect our everyday behavior. In this class we will talk generally about urban trends, but also focus on specific cities, primarily in North America. The special 'themes' of the course are: neighborhoods and community, race and ethnic relations, and urban spatial issues such as employment, housing, and development.

While I do not expect you to have an extensive background in Geography or Urban Planning, I do hope that each student will bring an enthusiasm and interest in urban issues to the class. The course involves many interactive activities, including small-group projects, film critiques, and provocative essay assignments, and I expect each participant in the class to engage herself/himself fully in the readings, projects, and discussions of the course. Even if you grew up in a rural area, you have knowledge and experience of city processes and urbanization that we will draw upon. This course will also provide you with some new ideas about how and why cities work (and even how they don't work!).

Evaluation:

Quiz: 20%
Essays*: 20% each = 60%
In-class Exercises & Discussions = 10%
Class Participation = 10%

*Four essays are assigned -- you must do all four, but the lowest grade will be dropped.

Three Simple Policies:

•  We start promptly at 2:00. Please come fully prepared. We stop promptly at 3:20.
•  No late papers or make-up tests. In an emergency, call me. I require documentation.
•  Please no plagiarizing or cheating. Do your own work, reference it properly, and everybody is happy!