History

Addresses developments within and among North American cities and explores changes in the conceptions of cities in North American thought and culture. Using New York City as a case study, examines some historical literature of cities and enters the debates among historians over the significance of class, ethnicity/race, gender and region in urban history. Also studies the lives of urban dwellers, and chart shifts in the way people organized their lives in cities. Major themes for this course include the changing physical structure and form of cities over time; processes of urbanization and sub-urbanization; city planning; the economies of cities; urban institutions; urban populations; and city politics. Normally taught on location.