The Growth and Structure of Cities: 2008-2009
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.
Faculty
Associate Professor Juan Manuel Arbona (on leave Spring 2009)
Senior Lecturer Jeffrey A. Cohen (on leave Fall 2008)
Associate Professor Carola Hein
Professor Gary W. McDonogh, Director
Studio Critic Sam Olshin
Lecturer Ingrid Steffensen
Assistant Professor Ellen Stroud
Senior Lecturer Daniela Holt Voith
Major Requirements
A minimum of 15 courses (11 courses in Cities and four allied courses) is required to complete the major. Two introductory courses (185, 190) balance formal and socio-cultural approaches to urban form and the built environment, and introduce cross-cultural 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. 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.
Cities majors have created major plans that have allowed them to coordinate their interests in cities with architecture, planning, ethnography, history, law, environmental studies, mass media, social justice, medicine, public health, the fine arts and other fields. No matter the focus, though, each Cities major must develop a solid foundation in both the history of architecture and urban form and the analysis of urban culture and experience. Careful methodological choices, clear analytical writing, and critical visual analysis are also emphases of the major. Early and frequent consultation with major advisers and discussion with other students in the major are an important and productive part of the Cities Program, and part of what helps us all take advantage of the major’s flexibility in an organized and rigorous way.
Students with special interests should talk about them with major advisers as soon as possible. This is especially true for students interested in architecture, who will need to arrange studio time (226, 228) as well as accompanying courses in math, science and architectural history; they should contact the Program Director or Daniela Voith in their first year.
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.
Concentration in Environmental Studies
Students who wish to combine their Cities major with Environmental Studies should also talk with Ellen Stroud early in their career. These students should take the introductory environmental studies courses (CITY B175 and GEOL B103) as early as possible in their programs, and plan to take Ecology (BIOL B220) before their senior year.
Concentration in Latin American and Iberian Studies
The Cities Program has a cooperative arrangement with this Haverford-based concentration. This concentration entails competence in Spanish and completion of SPAN/GNPR 240 at Haverford as well as classes inside and outside the major chosen in consultation with Professor Roberto Castillo at Haverford and Cities advisers. The thesis topic should also reflect interest in Latin American and Iberian topics. This concentration also has links to a five-year cooperative M.A. program in Latin American Studies at Georgetown.
Volunteerism and Internships
The Cities Program promotes student volunteer activities and student internships in architectural firms, offices of urban affairs and regional planning commissions. Students wishing to take advantage of these opportunities should consult with the advisers and the Praxis Office before the beginning of the semester.
3-2 Program in City and Regional Planning
Over the past two decades, many Cities majors have entered the 3-2 Program in City and Regional Planning, offered in conjunction with the University of Pennsylvania. Students interested in this program should meet with the program director early in their sophomore year (see page 29).
Study Abroad and Off Campus
Programs for study abroad or off campus are also encouraged, within the limits of the Bryn Mawr and Haverford rules and practices. In general, a one-semester program is preferred, but exceptions are made. The Cities Program regularly works with off-campus and study-abroad programs that are strong in architectural history, planning and design as well as those that allow students to pursue social and cultural interests. Students interested in spending all or part of their junior year away must consult with the major advisers and appropriate deans early in their sophomore year.
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.
Courses
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CITY B232 Latin American Urban Development (Cross-listed as HART B232)
J.Arbona
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. Not offered in 2008-09.CITY B234 Environmental Economics (Cross-listed as ECON B234)
M.Rock
Not offered in 2008-09.CITY B237 Themes in Modern African History: Urbanization in Africa (Cross-listed as HIST B237)
K.Ngalamulume, Roberts
Not offered in 2008-09.CITY B238 The Economics of Globalization (Cross-listed as ECON B236)
Ceglowski
Not offered in 2008-09.CITY B242 Urban Field Research Methods (Cross-listed as ANTH B242 and SOCL B242)
Takenaka
Not offered in 2008-09.CITY B244 Great Empires of the Ancient Near East (Cross-listed as ARCH B244, HIST B244 and POLS B244)
M.Ataç
Not offered in 2008-09.CITY B247 Topics in German Cultural Studies (Cross-listed as GERM B223 and HIST B247)
D.Kenosian
Not offered in 2008-09.CITY B248 Modern Middle East Cities (Cross-listed as HEBR B248 and POLS B248)
D.HarroldCITY B249 Asian American Communities (Cross-listed as ANTH B249 and SOCL B249)
A.TakenakaCITY B253 Survey of Western Architecture (Cross-listed as HART B253 and HIST B253)
D.Cast
Not offered in 2008-09.CITY B254 History of Modern Architecture (Cross-listed as HART B254)
C.Hein
A survey of the development of modern architecture since the 18th century, the course concentrates on the period since 1890.CITY B255 Survey of American Architecture (Cross-listed as HART B255)
J.Cohen
An examination of landmarks, patterns, landscapes, designers, and motives in the creation of the American built environment over four centuries. The course will address the master narrative of the traditional survey course, while also probing the relation of this canon to the wider realms of building in the United States.CITY B258 L'Espace réinventé (Cross-listed as FREN B258)
StaffCITY B260 Sport and Spectacle in Ancient Greece and Rome (Cross-listed as ARCH B255, CSTS B255 and HIST B285)
Scott, J.Wright
Not offered in 2008-09.CITY B266 Schools in American Cities (Cross-listed as EDUC B266 and SOCL B266)
J.CohenCITY B267 Philadelphia, 1682 to Present (Cross-listed as HIST B267)
E.Shore
Not offered in 2008-09.CITY B268 Greek and Roman Architecture (Cross-listed as ARCH B268 and HART B268)
Staff
Not offered in 2008-09.
CITY B270 Japanese Architecture and Planning (Cross-listed as EAST B270 and HART B270)
C.Hein
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 explores characteristics of Japanese cities, their history and presence, and examines the particular cultural, political, economic and social contexts of urban form in Japan. Not offered in 2008-09.CITY B271 History of Photography (Cross-listed as HART B271)
Schwartz
Not offered in 2008-09.CITY B272 Race and Place in Urban America (Cross-listed as SOCL B272)
Staff
Not offered in 2008-09.CITY B273 Topics in Early and Medieval China (Cross-listed as EAST B272 and HART B272)
P.Lin
Not offered in 2008-09.CITY B278 American Environmental History (Cross-listed as HIST B278)
E.Stroud
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.CITY B286 Themes in British Empire (Cross-listed as HIST B286 and POLS B286)
Kale
Not offered in 2008-09.CITY B301 Topics in Modern Architecture: American Renaissance
I.Steffensen
A seminar examining texts, figures and trends in American architecture in a formative period while looking beyond architecture at the City Beautiful Movement, mural arts and other aesthetic trends.CITY B303 Topics in American History (Cross-listed as HIST B303)
E.Shore
Not offered in 2008-09.CITY B305 Ancient Athens: Monuments and Art (Cross-listed as ARCH B305)
Staff
Not offered in 2008-09.CITY B306 Advanced Fieldwork Techniques: Places in Time
J.Cohen
A workshop for research into the histories of places, intended to bring students into contact with some of the raw materials of architectural and urban history. A focus will be placed on historical images and texts, and on creating engaging informational experiences that are transparent to their evidentiary basis.CITY B308 Topics in Photography: Photography and War (Cross-listed as HART B308)
SchwartzCITY B312 Topics in Medieval Art: History of Illuminated Manuscripts (Cross-listed as HART B311)
M.EastonCITY B314 Topics in Social Policy (Cross-listed as ECON B314)
StaffCITY B319 Advanced Topics in German Cultural Studies: Berlin in the 1920s (Cross-listed as COML B321 and GERM B321)
MeyerCITY B321 Technology and Politics (Cross-listed as POLS B321)
C.Hager
Not offered in 2008-09.CITY B323 Topics in Renaissance Art
D.Cast
Not offered in 2008-09.CITY B328 Analysis of Geospatial Data Using GIS (Cross-listed as ARCH B328, BIOL B328 and GEOL B328)
Reese, HuberCITY B330 Comparative Economic Sociology (Cross-listed as SOCL B330)
Osirim
Not offered in 2008-09.CITY B335 Mass Media and the City (Cross-listed as ANTH B335)
G.McDonogh
Examines urban culture as a ground for conflict, domination and resistance. We will work with both theoretical and applied analysis of production, texts, readings and social action within a political/economic framework. Topics include imagery, ownership, boundaries, creation of audience and public spheres and reinterpretation. We will also consider the implications of critical cultural policy for contemporary cities. Materials are drawn from U.S. and global media, from comics to the Internet, with special emphasis on film, news, and television. Not offered in 2008-09.CITY B336 East Asian Development (Cross-listed as EAST B335 and ECON B335)
M.Rock
Not offered in 2008-09.CITY B338 The New African Diaspora: African and Caribbean Immigrants in the United States (Cross-listed as SOCL B338)
Osirim
Not offered in 2008-09.CITY B339 The Policy Making Process (Cross-listed as POLS B339)
Golden
Not offered in 2008-09.CITY B345 Advanced Topics in Environment and Society: U.S. Urban Environmental History
E.Stroud
This year's seminar we will examine changing urban environments, environmental influences on cities, the environmental impact of urban places, and the concerns and influence of urban environmental activists in the United States. We will be questioning the anti-urban bias of much environmental history, and interrogating definitions of "nature" and "culture" that place people and their habitats outside of the "natural" world.CITY B348 Culture and Ethnic Conflict (Cross-listed as POLS B348)
M.Ross
Not offered in 2008-09.CITY B355 Topics in the History of London (Cross-listed as HART B355)
D.Cast
Not offered in 2008-09.CITY B360 Topics in Urban Culture and Society: Latin American Social Movements (Cross-listed as ANTH B359 and HART B359)
J.Arbona
Social movements have been described as the new force challenging the process of globalization and demanding social justice. This course sets out to explore the conceptual underpinnings of social movements and examine specific cases in urban Latin America—the roofless movement in Sáo Paolo, women's movement in Lima, youth movement in San Salvador and queer movement in Santiago. While these movements are not exclusive to these cities or to specific countries, they provide insights on the specific situations that articulated their formation as well as the strategies and outlooks that shape them.CITY B365 Techniques of the City: Space, Place and Power
G.McDonogh
Critical reflections on the technologies and methods through which we know the city and envision alternatives, stressing ethnographic work as well as theoretical discussions of place, power and change. Topics include construction and reproduction of social models, urban infrastructure, modes of representation and patterns of control.CITY B368 Topics in Medieval History (Cross-listed as CSTS B368 and HIST B368)
Bjornlie
Not offered in 2008-09.CITY B377 Topics in Modern Architecture: War, Catastrophes and Reconstruction (Cross-listed as HART B377)
C.Hein
Natural and manmade catastrophes have shaped the city over centuries. As wars and catastrophes continue to ravage cities, this course will explore various historic cases of destruction and rebuilding around the world, analyze reconstruction in regard to local conditions and trauma, and investigate continuities and changes.CITY B378 Formative Landscapes: The Architecture and Planning of American Collegiate Campuses
J.Cohen
An exploration of the architecture, planning, and visual rhetoric of American collegiate campuses from their early history to the present. Historical consideration of architectural trends and projected imageries will be complemented by student exercises involving documentary research on design genesis, typological contexts, and critical reception. Not offered in 2008-09.CITY B397 Senior Seminar in Environmental Studies (Cross-listed as ANTH B397, BIOL B397 and GEOL B397)
C.Oze, E.StroudCITY B398 Senior Seminar
J.Arbona, C.Hein, G.McDonogh, E.Stroud
An intensive research seminar designed to guide students in writing a senior thesis.CITY B399 Senior Thesis
Staff
Students can write a senior thesis written as an independent study in the spring under extraordinary circumstances and with special permission.CITY B403 Independent Study
StaffCITY B415 Teaching Assistant
Staff
This opportunity is available only by invitation.CITY B450 Urban Internships/Praxis
Staff
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.