166-084 Global Cities: Sociological Explorations

Note

Credit Points

HECS Band

Coordinator

Prerequisites

Normally two First Year Sociology subjects.

Semester

Contact

Subject Description

This subject introduces the sociological study of the urban experience, in particular what it means to live in global cities. It is grounded in the sociological tradition, from Weber through the Chicago School to contemporary urban sociology, and grapples with defining dimensions of living in the global city: changing meanings of place and neighbourhood; the changing meanings of the suburban experience and urban culture. The subject focuses on ways of exploring forms of urban practice, from gangs and graffiti or the development of community areas, such as gay and ethnic areas, to women's and young people's experience of place. Students should complete the course with a strong sense of the sociology of the urban, and having carried out a field project exploring a particular dimension of urban experience.

Assessment

A fieldwork project totalling 2000 words and an essay of 2000 words.

Prescribed Texts

• J Eade (ed), Living the Global City. Routledge 1997.
• P Bourgois, In Search of Respect: Selling Crack in El Barrio. Cambridge University Press 1995.
• M Auge, Non-places. Verso 1995.
• D Karp, Being Urban: A Sociology of City Life. (2nd ed) Praeger, New York 1991.