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AS/SOSI3830 Sociology of Urban Life
Syllabus
Class: Tuesday 11:30-2:30 p.m.
Dr. Lorne Foster
e-mail: lfoster@yorku.ca
Office: 262 Winters
College
Web: http://www.yorku.ca/lfoster
Office Hours: Thursday, 5:00 - 6:00 (or by appointment)
The soul of the city
perhaps begins with the avoidance of the global soul, or shall say we the
“soul-lessness” of the global. We are in danger of letting the
multinationals and the corporate zeitgeist get the better of local flavor.
There's no escaping the virtual project of the planet; keeping in mind that
information technology enriches, extends our domain, generates wealth and
makes life easier if not profound, we also recognize that it robs us of the
indigenous, the flavored, the local. And that is the challenge of the
contemporary city; the question of how to be international and at the same
time unique - Pier Giorgio Di Cicco, Poet Laureate, City of Toronto
COURSE DESCRIPTION
The modern age is an urban age. Movement from a rural to an urban
society in both developing and Western industrial countries represents a
social, demographic, and economic transformation of profound significance.
Urban sociology attempts systematically to describe and analyze this
transformation from both a dynamic and structural perspective. The central
question of this course is: How does environment impact people? In this
respect, the course will explore the social-psychological and ecological
organization as well as the political and economic structure of the city,
with a special focus on the patterns of inequality related to the
mediations class, race, aboriginality, ethnicity and gender. We will
examine social inequality as a social problem in city living in its own right,
as well as a source of urban social problems such as homelessness, poverty,
crime, immigration, prostitution, divorce, chronic unemployment and mental
illness.
ORGANIZATION
The course is divided into four parts. The first part will focus on
fundamental “concepts , research issues and theories” of urban genesis and
urban form; the interrelationship of urbanization, industrialization and
modernization, issues in urban living (such as, housing, transportation,
urban-renewal, poverty, unemployment, etc.); urban social networks (ethnic
and cultural heterogeneity, neighbourhood, community and other voluntary
associations). In doing so, we will compare and contrast different
theoretical and methodological approaches for understanding urban life. In
the second part, the focus will be on the "social psychological"
dimension of everyday urban life. In doing so, we will treat the city as a
laboratory for the purpose of helping students place their everyday
"lived" experiences. In the third part of the course, the emphasis
will be on "ethnoracial diversity" in Canada,
as it reflects on and impacts the social fabric of the new millennium. Some
contemporary issues and "social problems" will be discussed in
regard to institutional policies in Canada
for constructive reform. The fourth part will explore the "ecological
structure" of Canadian cities, with special emphasis on special topic
areas such as, social integration in a multicultural/cosmopolitan
environment, residential segregation, the disappearance of public spaces,
and migration/immigration dilemmas. To offer such experience, small groups
of students will undertake a field exercise and research projects on one of
three (inter-related/ intersectional) topics: neighbourhoods, marginalized
populations and urban legends. As practical references, these experiences
will bring the readings and class discussions to life.
LEARNING OUTCOMES
This course aims to enrich undergraduate education in the field of urban
life through an intimate engagement with the subject matter. The objective
of this course is to encourage students to be more aware of social issues
and more committed and able to engage effectively in their communities now
and in the future. Real-life experiences in the community are linked to
academic content through processes of critical reflection such as, small
group discussion, field work and participant observation study.
The benefits of integrated learning are that students are prompted to make
the link between what they learn in class and in the community, between
theory and practice. This experience helps to raise awareness about health,
social and political issues, while breaking down stereotypes and promoting
diversity. Integrated learning ultimately provides a strong theoretical and
methodological foundation for understanding the uniqueness of the city, and
for sound pubic discussion of social policy.
CLASS PROCEDURE
The class procedure involves lectures, interactive discussion of the
readings, occasional audio visual presentations and student presentations.
Students are expected to attend classes with reading assignments completed
in order to facilitate class discussions. Additional materials relevant to
the topic readings will be introduced as lecture material.
REQUIRED TEXTS
Hiller, Harry H. (Editor)
2005. Urban Canada:
Sociological Perspectives Toronto:
Oxford University
Press, 2005 (Paperback) ISBN: 0195419359
Additional materials relevant to the topic readings will be posted on
the course website: http://www.yorku.ca/lfoster
EVALUATIONS AND ASSIGNMENTS
Each student’s performance will be evaluated as follows:
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Class participation (this means class attendance and
discussion)
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20%
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In-class test (October 30)
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15%
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Urban Legends Paper (November 29)
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10%
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In-Class test (Feb 5)
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15%
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Major Participant Observation Paper (March 19)
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25%
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Final Exam (In-Class on last session)
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15%
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Note*: The instructor reserves the right to make changes to this course
outline after consultation with the full class.
TOPIC AND READING OUTLINE
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First Term
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Sept 11
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Introduction
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Sept 18
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Canadian urbanization
Read Chapter 1 (Urban Canada)
Simmel, Georg. The Metropolis and Mental Life. adapted by D.
Weinstein from Kurt Wolff (Trans.) The Sociology of Georg Simmel. New
York: Free Press, 1950, pp.409-424. {LPF/ www.yorku.ca/lfoster} - Presentation:
Mischa Fubler/ Jennifer Amado
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Sept 25
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Wirth, Louis. Urbanism as a way of life (Chicago:
Chicago University Press), 1964. pp 60-83 {LPF/ www.yorku.ca/lfoster}
Weber, Max. The Disenchantment of Modern Life From
H.H. Gerth and C. Wright Mills (Translated and edited), From Max Weber:
Essays in Sociology. New York: Oxford
University Press,
1946. pp. 129-156, {LPF/ www.yorku.ca/lfoster}
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Oct 9
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Yom Kippur
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Oct 9
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no class (Thanksgiving)
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Oct 16
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Canadian urbanization
Read Chapter 2 (Urban Canada). Presentation: Sandeep Sohi
In-class film (time permitting)
The Social Life of Small Urban Spaces 1988 (60 min)
Presents an engaging and informative tour of the urban landscape, while
exploring how it can be made more hospitable for those who must live in
it.
Urban issues in Toronto
Read chapter 14 (Urban Canada). Presentation: Christina Hovnanian
and Tyler Starzynski
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Oct 23
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Theory and Method of Urban
Sociology
Read Chapter 3 (Urban Canada).
Presentation: Daniella Giallonardi, Kim Pelligra and David Sciulli
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Oct 30
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In-Class Test
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Nov 6
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Perspectives on understanding health inequalities in the City. Trends
in mortality by neighbourhood income in urban Canada from 1971 to 1996.
Statistics Canada Report, Catalogue 820-003. Supplement to Health
Reports, Vol 13, 2002 (LPF).
Presentation: Lara Anonini Michelle Mele and Stefanie
D’Agostino
Social Ties and Community in Urban Places
Read Chapter 5 (Urban Canada).
Presentation: Rina Monaco, Kumiroma Kauizobi and Luca Stavrou
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Nov 13
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Doucet, Michael J. The Anatomy of an Urban Legend: Toronto's
Multicultural Reputation School
of Applied Geography
Ryerson Polytechnic
University, 2001.
{LPF/ www.yorku.ca/lfoster}
Film: Who Gets In? 52 min. VC.
A visual account of Canada’s immigration system and the
diversification of society.
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Part II. Urban Populations
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Nov 21
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Immigrants in the City
Read Chapter 6 (Urban Canada). Presentation: Nelufur Bhasin,
Tonneil and Chrystal Longsworth
Immigration Policy Planning Exercise
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Nov 27
Nov 29
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Racial Stereotyping and the City Exercise
Film: Jane Finch Again 1997 47
min. VC #4526
Roger McTair speaks to residents who were in the 1983 film, HOME FEELING,
about the impact of changes undertaken by community organizations and the
police to improve life in the area. (Videocassette 004297 at the Audio
Visual Library)
In-class film (time permitting)
A critical assessment of
programs that deal with the problems of homelessness.
Emphasizes solutions including takeovers of abandoned housing by the
homeless.
Make-up class.
Reflection Papers Due
{Student Note:
Review File in the Assignment Section – “Criteria For All
Written Assignments” – to ensure the
proper submission format. All papers must be submitted in class}
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Jan 8
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Return and Review of Reflection Papers
HOMELESS NOT HELPLESS: OPENING DOORS
1991 44 min. VC #2977 Jerry Jones
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Jan 15
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Guest Speaker: Dr. Lillian
Petroff, the Multicultural History Society of Ontario – “Multiculturalism
and Neigbourhoods in Toronto
Film: The Magic Assembly – 15.40 mins.
An oral account of Toronto from its multicultural
inhabitants
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Jan 22
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The Urban Life Presentation Marathon
Homelessness in the city
Women and Housing in Canada: Barriers to Equality. {LPF/ www.yorku.ca/lfoster}
Presentation:
TerriAnn Sawyers, Naida Hadzirovic
and Antonietta Dileo
Poverty, Read Chapter 8 (Urban Canada). Presentation:
Samantha Moscatiello, Thomas Cornett and Roger Bissoon
The Young and Old in the City. Presentation: Keon Lee,
Lindsay Johnston and Courtney Judkiewicz
Reading: Brian Wilson “Ethnography, the Internet, and Youth
Culture:
Strategies for Examining Social Resistance and
‘Online-Offline’ Relationships” {LPF/www.yorku.ca/lfoster}
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Jan 29
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Exam Review
Aboriginal Urbanization
Read chapter 7 (Urban Canada). Presentation: Julie Zammit,
Christine Sampat, and Patrizia Lamarca
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Feb 5
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In-Class Test 2 (based on 8 classes of material)
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Note*: In preparation for the second test it is imperative
that students complete all readings
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Part III. Special Topics of Interest:
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Feb 12
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No class (Reading Week)
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Feb 19
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Residential Segregation and Social Integration in a Multiethnic Urban
Environment.
Reading Chapter 13 (Urban Canada} Presentation: Joseph Allen,
Tommy Karapalevski and Tasleema Beehany
1 of 2 Films (time permitting):
Journey to justice [videorecording] / a National Film Board of Canada production
(47 minutes) Pays tribute to a group of Canadians who took racism to
court. From the 1930's to the 1950's Viola Desmond, Fred Christie, Hugh
Burnette, Bromley Armstrong, Donald Willard Moore and Stanley G. Grizzle
fought for equal rights for black people. (Videocass 006164 AVL)
or
Hear what we are saying [videorecording] / producer/director, Fuad
Chowdhury ; script, Tasneem Chowdhury ; a project of Ethno-Racial Mental
Health Committee.(53 minutes): Looks at the systematic racism in the
Canadian mental health establishment, a result of entrenched racism in
society and the dominant medical and biological models of mental illness
that ignore social causes. Gives examples of abuses within the system,
explores the barriers of language and culture, and shows how cultural
needs are ignored. Points out that advocates of colour face
discrimination too from the system and that there is no protection in
place for staff who are subjected to racist abuse from patients. Stresses
the need for research and the importance of care givers who understand
different styles of expression and share the same cultural values and
world view. The emphasis is on women of colour (Videocass 004638 AVL)
The New Political Economy
Read Chapter 11 (Urban Canada).
Presentation: Daniel Carbone, Christopher D’angelo, Aimee Paget and
Candice Stewart
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Feb 26
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The Political Economy of the Urban Visual Order.
Presentation: Chad Joyes, Jagdeep Sandhu and Akil Robinson
Reading: Jennifer Barthel. "The Perceptions of Graffiti in Ottawa: An
Ethnographic Study of an Urban Landscape." AgorA: Online Graduate Humanities Journal. 1.2 (Spring 2002). [December 4,
2006]
<http://www.humanities.ualberta.ca/agora/articles.cfm?ArticleNo=139>.
{LPF/www.yorku.ca/lfoster}
Focus on urban signage Past and Present
Tentative: 12 -2 pm, Visit the Toronto Archives to view their exhibit,
"Signs of Urban Life"
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Mar 5
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Spotlight: In Investigation of Food and Healthy Eating in
the city. Presentation: Alyssa Kazdan, Tara Resnick, and Ashley
Dunn
Reading: French, SA, M Story, and RW Jeffery. 2001. “Environmental
Influences on Eating and physical activity,” Annual Rev. Public Health
22:309–35 {LPF/www.yorku.ca/lfoster}
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Mar 12
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Cities and Social Pathology
read Chapter 9 (Urban Canada). Presentation: Renata De Thomasis,
Yaszman Mesbah, Roya Barati and Natalie Galas
With a spotlight on current events: Gun violence in Toronto.
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Mar 19
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The City as a social organization
read chapter 12 (Urban Canada). Presentation: Nissim Shivani, Laura
and Arianne Francis
(Major Participant Observation Paper Due)
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Mar 27
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Final Test (7 classes of material)
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GRADING, ASSIGNMENT
SUBMISSION, LATENESS PENALTIESAND MISSED TESTS
Grading: The grading scheme for the course
conforms to the 9-point grading system used in undergraduate programs at
York (e.g., A+ = 9, A = 8, B+ - 7, C+ = 5, etc.). Assignments and tests*
will bear either a letter grade designation or a corresponding number grade
(e.g. A+ = 90 to 100, A = 80 to 90, B+ = 75 to 79, etc.) (For a
full description of York grading system see the York University
Undergraduate Calendar - http://calendars.registrar.yorku.ca/pdfs/ug2004cal/calug04_5_acadinfo.pdf)
Students may take a limited number of courses for degree credit on an
ungraded (pass/fail) basis. For full information on this option see
Alternative Grading Option in the Sociology/Arts section of the
Undergraduate Calendar: http://www.ats.yorku.ca/advising/handbook_2003/gradingsystem.html
Assignment Submission: Proper academic performance
depends on students doing their work not only well, but on time.
Accordingly, assignments for this course must be received
on the due date specified for the assignment. Written assignments are
to be handed in to the Course Instructor in person and and students must
retain a computer copy.
Lateness Penalty: Assignments received later than the
due date will be penalized one-half grade letter per day that the
assignment is late. Exceptions to the lateness penalty for valid reasons
such as illness, compassionate grounds, etc., may be entertained by the
Course Instructor but will require supporting documentation (e.g., a
doctor’s letter).
Missed Tests: Students with a documented reason
for missing a course test, such as illness, compassionate grounds, etc.,
which is confirmed by supporting documentation (e.g., doctor’s letter) may
request accommodation from the Course Instructor. Accommodation will entail
a make-up test on a date and time specified by the Course Instructor.
Further extensions or accommodation will require students to submit a
formal petition to the Faculty.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
This third year sociology course is strongly oriented toward field work
and participant observation. Students will be required to conduct fieldwork
projects and a major participant observation study for specified
assignments.
IMPORTANT COURSE INFORMATION FOR STUDENTS
All students are expected to familiarize themselves with the following
information, available on the Senate Committee on Curriculum & Academic
Standards webpage (see Reports, Initiatives, Documents) - http://www.yorku.ca/secretariat/senate_cte_main_pages/ccas.htm
- York’s Academic Honesty
Policy and Procedures/Academic Integrity Website
- Ethics Review Process for
research involving human participants
- Course requirement
accommodation for students with disabilities, including physical, medical,
systemic, learning and psychiatric disabilities
- Student Conduct Standards
- Religious Observance
Accommodation
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