HIS 364 - The City in Modern History (3)

Urban life is increasingly coming to define the human experience. More than half the human population lives in cities, and that statistic is expected to rise. Throughout history, cities have proven to be important centers of political, economic, and cultural growth. Yet, at times, cities have also been held in contempt as sources of exploitation, degradation, and human vice. This course serves as an introduction to urban and spatial history. Starting in the early modern period and moving to the mid-20^th century, this course will examine different kinds of global cities, interrogate how they have changed over time, and explore how those changes have impacted the human experience. We will ask questions like: What unseen labor, infrastructure, and resources make city life possible? How have people imagined more just and environmentally sustainable cities? How have factors such as gender, race, and religion affected the development of cities? How have processes like globalization and colonization altered the nature of urban existence?

Prerequisite(s): None
Grading Method: Letter Grade
Term Typically Offered: Every other fall