166-084 Global Cities: Sociological Explorations

Formerly available as 166-255/355. Students who have completed 166-255/355 are not eligible to enrol in this subject.

Usually two first-year sociology subjects.

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; and 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 subject with a strong sense of the sociology of the urban, and having carried out a field project exploring a particular dimension of urban experience.