This course is a systematic examination of the spatial structure and dynamics of the contemporary city. The practiccal relevance of the organization of urban space will be emphasized. The course will investigate changes in the landscape, demographics, economic activities, transportation modes and cultural features of cities in America and abroad will and relate those changes to the quality of life experienced by city residents.

Although many students in this class may not have selected their career paths, the information disseminated in this course will describe aspects of urban life which they will all encounter at some time. For those who plan a career in urban planning, urban real estate development or public service, they will find the study of urban geography to be critically important

Lectures by the principal instructor will be elaborated upon by visiting lecturers, library assignments, video and slide presentations and other forms of learning. Students will be expected to participate in class discussions and to contribute their own knowledge and experiences on particular topics.

Grades will be based on the results of class tests, research papers and class participation. UST 290 fulfills a writing-across-the-curriculum requirement so short papers that are handed in, graded and returned for improvement might be expected. All papers should be typed and carefully edited before handing in.

Text: Paul L. Knox. Urbanization: An Introduction to Urban Geography (Englewood Cliffs, N.J.: Prentice Hall), 1994.

Week One - Read Chapter One of Knox

M-Lecture on Introduction to Geography

W-Lecture on Urban Geography

F-Library Assignment of City Paper (1)

Week Two - Read Chapter Two of Knox

M-Lecture on Urban Geographical History

W-Group 1 City Papers presented to Class, Handed in

F-Library Assignment 2

Week Three - Read Chapter Three of Knox

M-Lecture on Urban Migration

W-Group 2 City Paper presentations

F-Library Assignment 3

Week Four - Read Chapter Four of Knox

M-Lecture on Urban Transportation

W-Group 3 City Paper presentations

F-Library Assignment 4

Week Five - Read Chapter Five of Knox

M-Lecture on Urban Form

W-Group 4 City Paper presentations

F-Test 1

Week Six - Read Chapter Six of Knox

M-Lecture on Urban Design

W-Lecture on Architecture,Return Tests

F-Library Assignment 5

Week Seven - Read Chapter Seven of Knox

M-Lecture on Urban Development Process

W-Lecture on Downtown Development

F-Library Assignment 6

Week Eight - Read Chapter Eight of Knox

M-Lecture on Residential Change-Dr. Klein's slides

W-Lecture on Neighborhood Development Organizations

F-Library Assignment 7

Week Nine - Read Chapter Nine of Knox

M-Lecture on Revitalizing Neighborhoods

W-Lecture on Urban Sprawl

F-Assignment of Neighborhood Paper (8)

Week Ten - Read Chapter Ten of Knox

M-Lecture on Cognition of Urban Space

W-Presentation of Neighborhood Papers 1

F-Test 2

Week 11 - Read Chapter Eleven of Knox

M-Lecture on Urban Problems: Crime and Poverty

W-Presentation of Neighborhood Papers 2, Return tests

F-Library Assignment 9

Week 12 - Read Chapter Twelve of Knox

M-Lecture on Urban Geography and Politics

W-Presentation of Neighborhood Papers 3

F-Library Assignment 10

Week 13 - Read Chapter Thirteen of Knox

M-Lecture on Urban Geography and Planning

W-Presentation of Neighborhood Papers 4

F-Library Assignment 11

Week 14 - Read Chapters Fourteen

M-Lecture 1 on the Geographic Future of Cities

W-Discussion on Cleveland Neighborhoods

F-Library Assignment 12

Week 15 - Read Chapter Fifteen in Knox

M-Lecture 2 on Geographic Future of Cities

W-Review for Final Exam

F-Final Exam

There will be 12 library assignments which are to be typed and handed in on Monday. Ten topics (one-page essays) for these library assignments will be selected by the student from a list provided by the instructor on the first day. The other two topics will be reports (4 pp.) that will be assigned on the first class: one on a city chosen by the student and one on a Cleveland neighborhood, area suburb or small town chosen by the student. These papers, city and neighborhood, will be presented to the rest of the class

All material presented in the class including readings or presentations by the instructor, the students or visiting instructors, will be regarded as important and the student should expect to be tested upon this information. The student should do the library work and prepare the short papers carefully and present them in a professional manner.