Cleveland State University

Maxine Goodman Levin College of Urban Affairs

Department of Urban Studies

UST 200 – Introduction to Urban Studies

Fall 2005

 

 

 

Meeting Time:                       On line course, meets first session Monday, August 29 or Tuesday August 30. See syllabus for lecture schedule.

Location:                                UR 112

Instructor:                              Dr. Shari Garmise

Office:                                    Room 352, College of Urban Affairs

Phone:                                    216-875-9907

Assistants:                             Doreen Swetkis

                                                Frank Wagner

Technical Support:               Caryn Eucker, 216-687-6898

                                                Or: College of Urban Affairs Help Desk/Labs, UR 39&40

                                                216-687.2200 or email: help@urban.csuohio.edu

Help Desk Hours: M-Th 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m., F & Sat. 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

E-mail:                                    Use WebCT e-mail function to contact all of us.

Garmise Office hours:         Thursday: 12:00-2:00 and by appointment.

 

Textbook Required

Steinbacher, Roberta and Virginia O. Benson, 1995. Introduction to Urban Studies, Second Edition, Dubuque, IA: Kendall Hunt Publishing, Co.

 

Course Objectives

This course is an introduction to the study of cities using an interdisciplinary approach that includes economics, history, planning sociology and political science.  The course emphasizes the roots of the contemporary African-American community’s urban experience in our multicultural society. It also integrates the field of urban studies with the students’ everyday experiences.

 

The course is designed to meet the following learning objects:

 

Knowledge

·         Issues and challenges to Urban Areas.

 

Understanding

 

Skills

·         Help you think creatively using multi-disciplinary approaches and exercises.

·         Synthesize across disciplines. Students will be required to synthesize from a range of different types of background materials, which also enhances critical thinking skills.

 

Values

·         Appreciation of diversity.

·         Sense of responsibility for current problems.

·         Appreciation for the city.

 

General Education Requirements

This course fulfills the African American Experience: Race and Racism, Human Diversity and Social Science GenEd requirements.

 

Course Method

The course is a hybrid course, including on-line and in class components.

 

Grading Policy

Grades are based on homework, participation (discussions), quizzes, a mid-term exam, a group assignment and a final exam.

 

Homework                                                       10%

Discussions                                                    10%    

Quizzes                                                          10%

Mid-term Exam                                               25%                                        

Group Assignment                                          15%

Final Exam                                                      30%

 

Homework and other assignments are due by the date specified in the syllabus. Late submission dates will result in a grade reduction.

 

Special Needs

Students with special needs or those who require special accommodations when taking exams, completing projects or meeting any of the class requirements should identify themselves to the instructor so that appropriate arrangements may be made.

 

Lectures

There will be six guest lecturers discussing their area of expertise. All students are required to view the lectures. However, you can choose where and when (within a specific time frame). Two in-class lectures will be offered. One lecture will be either Monday or Wednesday evening at 6:00 pm in UR112. The second lecture will be offered either Tuesday or Thursday at 10:00 am in UR 112. See the schedule for specifics. If you cannot attend the lecture, then you can either view it on-line or via CDs, which will be made available at the CSU Library course reserve desk or the College of Urban Affairs computer lab, UR 40.  In addition, the lecturers may provide background reading materials which you will be required to read. If the lecturer uses powerpoint or other aids during the lecture, they will be provided to you in WEB CT whenever possible.

 

 


Homework

Homework will consist of six short writing assignments. Each writing assignment will consist of questions drawn from the lectures (see above) and any background readings provided by the lecturers. They are due approximately two weeks after the scheduled lecture. See schedule below for exact dates. A rubric that explains the grading criteria for these assignments will be posted on-line. PLEASE REMEMBER TO PUT YOUR NAME ON ALL HOMEWORK ASSIGNMENTS.

 

Discussions

Each week the students will participate in a discussion section. The instructor will pose a question and indicate the requirements of a sufficient answer. Students will be asked to answer that question and respond to other student’s contributions as well. To use the discussion section, first enter the appropriate discussion board. Second, click the looking glass on the first line entitled assignment instruction. You will see my name as the author and the discussion question and assignment instructions in the opened box. Click reply in the upper left hand corner, and then put your contribution in the open box. When you have completed the your text, press post.

 

Quizzes

Each week students will be required to take a quiz on the textbook reading assigned for that week. The quiz will be ten questions randomly selected from a larger bank of questions. You make take the quiz as often as you like but each time you take it, the set of questions will be different. There are two incentives for retaking the exam. First, the mid-term and final will be drawn up from this bank of questions.  Second, you can take it until you get the grade you want.


Group Assignment:  Cleveland’s Report Card

Students in the class will be randomly assigned to a group of six students in the second week of class. Together, each group will assess four policy/program areas in Cleveland and two other cities. The purpose of the assignment is to develop a report card on Cleveland using two methods: 1) comparing policy goals, methods and outcomes; and 2) comparing Cleveland with other cities.  Each person in the group will be responsible for covering two policy areas for one city. The group must work together to 1) allocate tasks; 2) assign grades for each policy; and 3) assign a final grade for each city and an explanation on how you came to the grade.

 

Everyone in the group will receive the same grade. There is one exception to this. If one person does not do any work or does close to nothing, then that person will get a 0 and the others will be graded for their contribution. You are not to do the work of others.

 

You will have several tools to coordinate the project within your group. First, we will put up specific discussion boards for each group, to allow for asynchronous exchange of information. Second, we will set up specific private areas for each group to share files and exchange e-mail. Third, the lectures only last one hour, but the course is scheduled for two hours. You can use the second hour to plan face time meetings. 

 

In Appendix 1, you will find a task allocation chart and a copy of seven tables. Each group will deliver a task allocation chart, which indicates to me which student is responsible for which task, and what cities you have selected.  The seven tables provide the research categories you will use to develop your report card. Each group will deliver these tables finished to complete their assignment. The tables will also be posted on-line.

 

The group will choice four of the following six policy areas:

 

The group will choose two of the following four cities for comparison with Cleveland:

 

Exams

Questions for the mid-term and final exams will be drawn from the quiz banks.

 

Due Dates

All assignments are due by 5pm on Friday of the week they are assigned.

 

Class Schedule and Assigned Readings

 

Week 1 August 29  

Introduction and course overview, Monday August 29 at 6pm and Tuesday, August  30 at 10am.

            Reading: Chapter 1, The City Evolves (History)  

            Assignments Due: Discussion and Quiz

 

Week 2, September 5   (Labor Day, School Closed on Monday)

Optional Lab Session: Introduction and course overview will be repeated on Tuesday, September 6 at 10am and Wednesday, September 6 at 6pm. Extra help will be available for Web CT as well.

            Reading: Chapter 2, The City Structures Its Foundation (Geology)  

            Assignments Due: Discussion and Quiz

            Groups will be assigned this week.

 

Week 3, September 12  

Readings: Chapter 3, The City Designs Itself (Urban Design) and Chapter 4, The City Builds (Architecture)  

Assignments Due: Discussion and Quiz

Guest Lecture: Professor Helen Liggett. Monday, September 12 at 6pm and second date TBA.

Receive homework on the lecture.

 

Week 4, September 19  

Reading: Chapter 7, The City Maintains Itself (Public Works)  

            Assignments Due: Discussion, Quiz and Task Allocation for Group Project

 

Week 5, September 26  

Reading: Chapter 5, The City Looks Organizes Its Space (Geography)  

            Assignments Due: Discussion, Quiz and Homework on Liggett lecture

Guest Lecture: Prof. Brian Mikelbank, Monday September 26 at 6pm and Tuesday September 27 at 10am.

Receive homework on lecture.

 

Week 6, October 3  

Reading: Chapter 13, The City Confronts Social Issues (Sociology)

Assignments Due: Discussion and Quiz

 

Week 7, October 10  

Reading: Chapter 6, The City Looks Ahead (Urban Planning) 

Guest Lecture:  Professor Norman Krumholz, Wednesday, October 12 at 6pm and Thursday, October 13 at 10am.                     

            Assignments Due: Discussion, Quiz and Homework on Mikelbank lecture.

            Receive homework on lecture.

 

Week 8, October 17  

Mid-Term

 

 Week 9, October 24  

 Reading: Chapter 12, The City Understands Itself (Psychology)  

            Assignments Due: Discussion, Quiz and Homework on Krumholz Lecture.

 

 Week 10, October 31 

Reading:  Chapter 11, The City Regulates Itself (Law)  

Assignments Due: Discussion and Quiz.

 

 Week 11, November 7  

            Reading: Chapter 10, The City Works (Economic Development)  

Guest Lecture:  Professor Edward Hill, Tuesday, November 8 at 10am and Wednesday, November 9 at 6pm.

Assignments: Discussion and Quiz.

Receive homework on lecture.          

 

Week 12, November 14  

Reading: Chapter 9, The City Governs Itself (Political Science)

Guest Lecture: Professor Sylvester Murray, Tuesday, November 15th at 10am and Wednesday, November 16 at 6pm.

Assignments Due: Discussion, Quiz and Group Project Due

Receive homework on lecture

 

 Week 13, November 21 (Thanksgiving, School closed on Thursday and Friday)

            Reading: Chapter 14, The City Encounters Diversity (Anthropology)  

Assignments Due: Discussion, Quiz and Homework on Hill Lecture.

 

 Week 14, November 28  

            Reading:  Chapter 8, The City Protects Itself (Environmental Studies)

Assignments Due: Discussion, Quiz and Homework on Murray Lecture

Guest Lecture: Professor Wendy Kellogg, Monday, November 28 at 6pm and Tuesday, November 29 at 10am.

 

 Week 15, December 5  

            Readings: Chapter 15, The City Unites with the World (International

             Geography) and Chapter 16, The City Faces Its Future (Future Studies)  

Assignments Due: Discussion, Quiz and Homework on Kellogg Lecture due.

 

Week 16, December 12

Final Exam  


Appendix 1

Group Assignment

 

 

Task Allocation and City Selection

 

 

Student Name

Policy Area

City

 

Politics and Finance

Cleveland

 

Economic Development

Cleveland

 

Planning

Cleveland

 

Public Works/Infrastructure

Cleveland

 

Environmental Policies

Cleveland

 

E-Government

Cleveland

 

Politics and Finance

 

 

Economic Development

 

 

Planning

 

 

Public Works/Infrastructure

 

 

Environmental Policies

 

 

E-Government

 

 

Politics and Finance

 

 

Economic Development

 

 

Planning

 

 

Public Works/Infrastructure

 

 

Environmental Policies

 

 

E-Government

 

 

 

Politics and Finance

Cleveland

City 2

City 3

Form of Government (e.g. Mayor-Council)

 

 

 

Size of Council

 

 

 

Election of council members (what % district, what % at-large)

 

 

 

Demographic Base of the electorate

 

 

 

Political Party (how many council members from each party, what party does the mayor represent?)

 

 

 

Current Budget (numbers)

 

 

 

Budget compared to past three budgets (discuss basic trends)

 

 

 

The five program/policy/service areas that receive the highest percent of the budget

 

 

 

Have there been any changes in those five areas compared to the past three budgets

 

 

 

GRADE

(This should be determined on financial status only)

 

 

 

Table 1: Politics and Finance

Table 2: Economic Development

 

Economic Development

Cleveland

City 2

City 3

Type of Department (Mayor’s office, independent agency, combined with planning)

 

 

 

Staff size

 

 

 

Departmental Mission and Objectives

 

 

 

Unemployment rates

 

 

 

Poverty Rates

 

 

 

Main economic challenges facing the city

 

 

 

Core Economic Development Programs in Place

 

 

 

Benchmarks (Data available to measure program achievements)

 

 

 

GRADE (Hint do the programs in place meet department goals or address economic challenges)

 

 

 

 

Table 3: Planning

 

Planning

Cleveland

City 2

City 3

Type of Department (Mayor’s office, independent agency, combined with planning)

 

 

 

Staff size

 

 

 

Departmental Mission and Objectives