1 CLEVELAND STATE UNIVERSITY FALL SEMESTER,2006 MAXINE GOODMAN LEVIN COLLEGE OF URBAN AFFAIRS UNDERGRADUATE URBAN STUDIES PROGRAM UST 301 - URBAN SPATIAL STRUCTURE INSTRUCTOR: Dr. Virginia Benson Office: UR 221 Phone: (216) 687-2164 E-mail: [email protected] COURSE MEETING TIMES: Monday, Wednesday, 1:30 p.m.- 2:35 p.m., Fridays the class will not meet, it is a Library Day COURSE LOCATION: UR 107 COURSE DESCRIPTION The notion of urban spatial structure has become very important to understanding urbanization and society at the beginning of the twenty-first century. The urban systems model aids in comprehending the interactive nature of the physical urban landscape as well as interpreting the social institutions that operate within the city. Employing the systems concept as well as other theoretical frameworks will improve the ability to predict and plan for the future. This course is designed to give the student an overview of the various systems operating within the urban and regional structure and to apply these models to urbanism around the globe. COURSE GRADING In addition to the course text, the student will be assigned outside readings or receive handouts in the class. All information disseminated in class, through lectures by the instructor or visiting speakers, films and assigned readings will form the basis for the exams. Grades will be determined by the midterm exam (26%) , short essay papers (3 pts per paper= 39%) and the final exam (35%). The class discussion will allow the instructor the opportunity to determine what students have learned in the first half so it is important to participate especially in the review period. For this reason, class attendance is expected unless excused for sufficient reason. COURSE TEXT: Fu-Chen Lo and Yue-Man Yeung (ed.) Globalization and the World of Large Cities, 2d Edition New York: United Nations University Press, 2003. Handouts may be provided by the instructor.2 COURSE OUTLINE Each of the 15 weeks of the course will focus on a particular urban system and a particular region of the world. Week One: Introduction, Framework for Study Chapter 1 Week Two: Globalization and World Cities: Migration, Settlement Systems, Chapters 2, 3 World City Regions in Europe Week Four: North American Cities, Chap. 4 : Models of Urban Spatial Structure Week Five: Chapter 5 in Text, Transportation Lecture Week Six: Chaps. 6 and 7. Globalization in Pacific Asia. Week Seven: Chaps. 8 and 9, Latin American City System. MIDTERM Week Eight: Chap. 10, Islamic Cities as a Reflection of a Culture. Week Nine: Chap. 11, Cairo as a World City. Guest Speaker: Prof. Sy Murray Week Ten: Chap. 12, Sub-Saharan African Cities. Week Eleven: Chap. 13, Johannesburg. Week Twelve: Chap. 14, New Technologies Week Thirteen: Chap. 15, World Cities as financial centers Week Fourteen: Chapter 16, 17 and 18. The Developing World Cities: Problems, Prospects. Week Fifteen: Wrap-up and Review for Final Exam. COURSE WRITING ASSIGNMENTS This class will not meet on Fridays but students will be expected to go to the Library and research a3 topic and write a short (2-3 pp.) essay on one of the topics designated below for each week of the session (a total of 14 such essays). These essays will be handed in on Mondays and will be graded and returned to the student on Wednesdays. The papers must be typed and all research materials should be completely cited at the end of the paper. Internet sources may be used but must be completely cited. The essay paper topics are listed below. Week One - No paper due Week Two - The Canal Era in the United States ( the first paper will be due Wed., the 6th, due to the Labor Day holiday) Week Three - The Transportation System in Mexico Week Four - The English School System Week Five - The Criminal Justice System in Poland Week Six- The Health Care System in Canada Week Seven - Environmental Threats in Latin America Midterm Break – no paper due for Week Eight Week Nine -The Hospital System in Egypt Week Ten - The Media in South Africa Week Eleven - Religious Practice in Australia Week Twelve - Camping Out in Japan Week Thirteen - Political Leadership in the Former Soviet Union Week Fourteen – The Agricultural System of India Week Fifteen – Futuristic Housing