Fall 2000

UNST 299: Dynamics of the American City

Last Updated October 24, 2000

Instructor:

Dr. Martha J. Bianco

Phone:

503-725-4050

E-Mail:

biancom@pdx.edu

Web Page:

www.upa.pdx.edu/MB/

Office:

URBN 370-L (located on the third floor of the Urban Center Building, 506 SW Mill)

Mailbox:

URBN 370-A

Office Hours:

Tuesdays, 10-11 a.m. and 4-5 p.m.; Thursdays, 2-3 p.m.; and by arrangement

Class Time:

T & Th 8:30-9:45 a.m.

Location:

URBN 303

Mentor:

Monique Sutton, suttonm@irn.pdx.edu; Mailbox at 166 CH

Mentored Sessions:

M, 8:30-9:20 a.m., M, 10-10:50 a.m., T 7:30-8:20 a.m., Th 7:30-8:20 a.m., F, 10-10:50 a.m. URBN 240

Course Description:

This course looks at some of the dynamics of the American city through the lens of several different academic disciplines. We focus on the following:

What is a city? The fields of history and sociology help inform our investigation.

The rich just keep getting richer. The fields of history, sociology, political science, and economics contribute to our study.

Community, identity, and space. Sociology, political science, urban planning, gender studies, and social justice inform our discussions.

Visions of ideal form. History and urban planning help us understand where we’ve been and where we might want to go.

Text:

City Lights: Urban-Suburban Life in a Global Society by E. Barbara Phillips and Katherine Phillips (Oxford University Press, 1996).

Lecture Guides:

Lecture guides, which provide an outline of each class lecture and WWW links to relevant sites can be found at cityguides.html. NOTE: These will not be handed out in class (except for the first day), so you are responsible for printing these out and bringing them to class.

Learning Goals:

This course places a special emphasis on the following skills:

Writing

Critical thinking

Online and library research

Ethics in research

Teamwork

Oral and Written Presentations

Assignments:

Detailed instructions for each assignment will be presented in mentor sessions.

Using On-Line and Library Data Sources. Worth 50 points.

Module S.E.C.R.E.T.s: Write three 2- to 3-page SECRETs (Synthesize-Explain-Critique-Reflect-Expand-Theorize) for each module. Worth 100 points each (total of 300).

Field Research Project: Conduct a field study of a Portland neighborhood and write up your findings. Worth 250 points

Research Paper: Write a 10-page research paper on a topic relevant to this course. Worth 400 points. Points are broken up according to steps required for the paper, as described later.

Term Paper Topics:

You may write a research paper about any topic related to cities that you desire. Some ideas are as follows:
The Urban Poor: Who are they? Why are they poor? What have been some poverty policies? Is it true (as some maintain) that for there to be democracy and a free-enterprise economy, there will always be a "permanent underclass"?
Gender and the City: Is the city "gender neutral," or does its form and function reflect a (white) male, heterosexual dominance? What would a truly gender neutral city be like?
The Cybercity: What effect is the Internet having on urban settlement patterns and concepts of "community," "identity," and "neighboring"?
The Global City: Are cities becoming less self-contained and self-sufficient? What does the concept of "globalization" mean when it comes to the concept of American urbanization?
Sustainable Housing and Transport: How can American cities move toward greater environmental sustainability, affordability, and a reduced reliance on automobiles? Examine the example of the Portland metropolitan region.

Other Requirements:
The following are the expectations for this class:

All assignments must be turned in on time unless there are emergency circumstances

You must actively participate in class and group projects

You must subscribe to the class electronic discussion listserv (set up at first mentor session)

You should try to stay in contact with the instructor to discuss any concerns related to this class

Cell Phones and Pagers:
The use of cell phones and pagers in class is very disruptive. Please set your phones and pages to "silent." If you place your phone/pager on your desk in front of you, it will light up if you receive a call or page. You can then return the call if the matter is an emergency.

About Attendance:

Attendance is expected in each class and mentor session.

Unless you make prior arrangements with the instructor or mentor, please refrain from arriving late or leaving early, as these behaviors are disruptive to some students.

About Plagiarism:
Portland State University defines plagiarism, a form of academic dishonesty, as:
The appropriate of language, ideas, and products of another author or artist and representation of them as one's own original work; failure to provide proper identification of source data; use of purchased or borrowed papers in graduate courses [as well as undergraduate] without complete identification of the source.
This definition is not always clearly understandable to all students. Please read Earl Babbie's comments at http://www.csubak.edu/ssric/Modules/Other/plagiarism.htm. Also read the University of Alabama at Huntsville, "Library Research Guides: Plagiarism," at http://www.uah.edu/library/guides/plag.html .
If you are unsure whether you are committing plagiarism, please ask me. If I suspect you have plagiarized, I will ask to meet with you. A student who has been found to have committed plagiarism is subject to the following sanctions:

F on exam or assignment involved

Disciplinary reprimand

Disciplinary probation

Loss of privileges

Required community service

Suspension from PSU for up to two years

Dismissal from the University

Writing:

All students in this class are expected to write at university-level standards. These include the following:

Proper grammar, spelling, punctuation, capitalization, etc.

See "Helpful Links" below

Use your word processor’s grammar and spell-check

Proofread! (Do not rely solely on your word processor to find errors!)

Proper citation format. You may use APA, Chicago, MLA, or any other university-accepted format. Note:

You may use footnotes and a bibliography or parenthetical references and a reference list.

If you use footnotes or parentheticals, you must include a bibliography or reference list at the end, even if it contains just one entry.

You must use proper citation format for all Internet sources, including web sites and electronic mail. See "Helpful Links" below.

Legible paper presentation:

Use 12-point font

Use one-inch margins on all sides

Double-space all papers.

Always include page numbers.

For writing assistance, consult with the class mentor or visit the Writing Center at writingcenter@pdx.edu or by phone at 725-3570. They are located in CH 188F.

Always use the Writing Checklist.

Helpful Links:

Elements of Style: http://www.bartleby.com/141/index.html

Study Guides and Strategies: http://www.iss.stthomas.edu/studyguides/

Guides to Historical Research: http://www.lib.washington.edu/subject/History/tm/guide.html

A Student's Guide to Research with the WWW http://www.slu.edu/departments/english/research/

Preparing to Write a Research Paper: http://www.tntech.edu/www/acad/hist/library.html

Citation of Electronic Documents: http://www.tntech.edu/www/acad/hist/citation.html

Chicago Documentation Style: http://www.wisc.edu/writing/Handbook/DocChicago.html

Class Schedule

Date	Topic and Due Dates	Readings
Sept. 26-Oct. 5	What is a city? Concepts of the City in Time and Space Classifying Cities Varieties of Cities	Chapters 1-2, 4
Oct. 10-Oct. 24	The Rich Just Keep Getting Richer From Preindustrial to Postindustrial Economies Immigration and Migration From Rustbelt to Sunbelt Theories about Urban Poverty	Chapters 6, 8, 10, 17-18

Oct. 9-13	Concept Paper Drafts Due in Mentor Session Using On-line Data Source Exercises Due via E-mail by This Week
Oct. 16-20	Concept Paper Final Version Due in Mentor Session
Oct. 19	S.E.C.R.E.T. for Modules No. 1 and 2 Due in Class
Oct. 26	Research Paper Working Bibliography Due in Class

Oct. 26-Nov. 9	Community, Identity, and Space What is community? Identity and Oppression? Space: Claiming it, taking it, denying it.	Chapters 5, 7, 9, 11

Oct. 30-Nov. 3	Research Paper Outline Due in Mentor Session
Nov. 7	S.E.C.R.E.T. for Module No. 3 Due in Class Field Observation must be completed prior to this date

Nov. 14-Nov. 30 No class on Nov. 23!	Visions of Ideal Form Utopian Visions of Urban Form The Power behind Translating Vision to Public Policy From Streetcar Suburbia to Postsuburbia Where Are We Now? Where Are We Going?	Chapters 12, 14-16

Nov. 14	Field Study Report Due in Class
Nov. 21	First Draft of Research Paper Due in Class
Nov. 28	S.E.C.R.E.T. for Module No. 4 Due in Class

Dec. 6	Final Research Papers Due in class, 10:15 a.m., followed by discussion

Mentor Sessions

Week of: Topic

Sept. 26-Sept. 28

Subscription to class listserv

Overview of useful on-line resources for doing research (Using the Census and Using On-Line Databases at PSU's Library)

Oct. 2-Oct. 6

Instructions for S.E.C.R.E.T.s

Instructions for Research Paper

Instructions for Field Observation

Oct. 9-Oct. 13

Discussion of Concept Paper

Oct. 16-Oct. 20

Film: The Social Life of Small Urban Spaces

Oct. 23-Oct. 27

First Field Observation Meeting (25 of your total 250 points for the paper).

Oct. 30-Nov.3

Discussion about Research Paper Projects (this discussion is worth 25 of your total 400 points for the paper).

Nov. 6-Nov 10

Second Field Observation Meeting (25 of your total 250 points for the paper).

Nov. 13-Nov. 17

Peer Review of Research Paper Drafts (this discussion is worth 25 of your total 400 points for the paper).

Nov. 21-Nov. 23 No formal mentor session this week.
Drop-in for help on term paper on Tuesday, between 11-11:50

Nov. 28-Nov. 30

Film: Road to the Future

Research Paper Assignment

The research paper consists of several stages, each of which contributes to your final grade (worth 400 points) on the paper.

The Concept Paper is a well-developed abstract or proposal, stating your research area, research questions, any hypotheses or theses, and general methodology. The final version of the concept paper is due in your mentor session the week of Oct. 16. It is worth 50 out of the total 400 points for the paper.
The Working Bibliography is a well-developed bibliography (a liittle like an annotated bibliography, almost like a mini-literature review), which identifies the key sources you intend to use for your paper. This is due in class on Oct. 26. It is worth 25 points of the total 400 for the paper.
The Research Paper Outline is a detailed outline of the contents of your paper, from introduction through conclusion. Its primary purpose is to guide you through the writing of the paper in a systematic fashion and to help you limit and narrow your topic. This is due in your mentor session the week of Oct. 31. It is worth 50 points, as well.
The first draft of your research paper is due in class on Nov. 21. Note that this is not a rough draft, but a first draft. In other words, turn in something that is very close to what you expect the finished product to be. This is also worth 50 points.
The remaining 175 points are assigned to the final version of your paper, which is due in class on December 6.

See the following links to assist you with preparing your term paper:

Return to Class Welcome Page.

Instructor:	Dr. Martha J. Bianco
Phone:	503-725-4050
E-Mail:	biancom@pdx.edu
Web Page:	www.upa.pdx.edu/MB/
Office:	URBN 370-L (located on the third floor of the Urban Center Building, 506 SW Mill)
Mailbox:	URBN 370-A
Office Hours:	Tuesdays, 10-11 a.m. and 4-5 p.m.; Thursdays, 2-3 p.m.; and by arrangement
Class Time:	T & Th 8:30-9:45 a.m.
Location:	URBN 303
Mentor:	Monique Sutton, suttonm@irn.pdx.edu; Mailbox at 166 CH
Mentored Sessions:	M, 8:30-9:20 a.m., M, 10-10:50 a.m., T 7:30-8:20 a.m., Th 7:30-8:20 a.m., F, 10-10:50 a.m. URBN 240

Course Description:	This course looks at some of the dynamics of the American city through the lens of several different academic disciplines. We focus on the following: *What is a city?* The fields of history and sociology help inform our investigation. *The rich just keep getting richer.* The fields of history, sociology, political science, and economics contribute to our study. *Community, identity, and space.* Sociology, political science, urban planning, gender studies, and social justice inform our discussions. *Visions of ideal form.* History and urban planning help us understand where we’ve been and where we might want to go.
Text:	City Lights: Urban-Suburban Life in a Global Society by E. Barbara Phillips and Katherine Phillips (Oxford University Press, 1996).
Lecture Guides:	Lecture guides, which provide an outline of each class lecture and WWW links to relevant sites can be found at cityguides.html. *NOTE: These will not* be handed out in class (except for the first day), so you are responsible for printing these out and bringing them to class.**
Learning Goals:	This course places a special emphasis on the following skills: Writing Critical thinking Online and library research Ethics in research Teamwork Oral and Written Presentations
Assignments:	Detailed instructions for each assignment will be presented in mentor sessions. Using On-Line and Library Data Sources. Worth 50 points. Module S.E.C.R.E.T.s: Write three 2- to 3-page SECRETs (Synthesize-Explain-Critique-Reflect-Expand-Theorize) for each module. Worth 100 points each (total of 300). Field Research Project: Conduct a field study of a Portland neighborhood and write up your findings. Worth 250 points Research Paper: Write a 10-page research paper on a topic relevant to this course. Worth 400 points. Points are broken up according to steps required for the paper, as described later.
Term Paper Topics:	You may write a research paper about any topic related to cities that you desire. Some ideas are as follows: The Urban Poor: Who are they? Why are they poor? What have been some poverty policies? Is it true (as some maintain) that for there to be democracy and a free-enterprise economy, there will always be a "permanent underclass"? Gender and the City: Is the city "gender neutral," or does its form and function reflect a (white) male, heterosexual dominance? What would a truly gender neutral city be like? The Cybercity: What effect is the Internet having on urban settlement patterns and concepts of "community," "identity," and "neighboring"? The Global City: Are cities becoming less self-contained and self-sufficient? What does the concept of "globalization" mean when it comes to the concept of American urbanization? Sustainable Housing and Transport: How can American cities move toward greater environmental sustainability, affordability, and a reduced reliance on automobiles? Examine the example of the Portland metropolitan region.
Other Requirements:	The following are the expectations for this class: All assignments must be turned in on time unless there are emergency circumstances You must actively participate in class and group projects You must subscribe to the class electronic discussion listserv (set up at first mentor session) You should try to stay in contact with the instructor to discuss any concerns related to this class
Cell Phones and Pagers:	The use of cell phones and pagers in class is very disruptive. Please set your phones and pages to "silent." If you place your phone/pager on your desk in front of you, it will light up if you receive a call or page. You can then return the call if the matter is an emergency.
About Attendance:	Attendance is expected in each class and mentor session. Unless you make prior arrangements with the instructor or mentor, please refrain from arriving late or leaving early, as these behaviors are disruptive to some students.
About Plagiarism:	Portland State University defines plagiarism, a form of academic dishonesty, as: The appropriate of language, ideas, and products of another author or artist and representation of them as one's own original work; failure to provide proper identification of source data; use of purchased or borrowed papers in graduate courses [as well as undergraduate] without complete identification of the source. This definition is not always clearly understandable to all students. Please read Earl Babbie's comments at http://www.csubak.edu/ssric/Modules/Other/plagiarism.htm. Also read the University of Alabama at Huntsville, "Library Research Guides: Plagiarism," at http://www.uah.edu/library/guides/plag.html . If you are unsure whether you are committing plagiarism, please ask me. If I suspect you have plagiarized, I will ask to meet with you. A student who has been found to have committed plagiarism is subject to the following sanctions: F on exam or assignment involved Disciplinary reprimand Disciplinary probation Loss of privileges Required community service Suspension from PSU for up to two years Dismissal from the University
Writing:	All students in this class are expected to write at university-level standards. These include the following: Proper grammar, spelling, punctuation, capitalization, etc. See "Helpful Links" below Use your word processor’s grammar and spell-check Proofread! (Do not rely solely on your word processor to find errors!) Proper citation format. You may use APA, Chicago, MLA, or any other university-accepted format. Note: You may use footnotes and a bibliography or parenthetical references and a reference list. If you use footnotes or parentheticals, you must include a bibliography or reference list at the end, even if it contains just one entry. You must use proper citation format for all Internet sources, including web sites and electronic mail. See "Helpful Links" below. Legible paper presentation: Use 12-point font Use one-inch margins on all sides Double-space all papers. Always include page numbers. For writing assistance, consult with the class mentor or visit the Writing Center at writingcenter@pdx.edu or by phone at 725-3570. They are located in CH 188F. Always use the Writing Checklist.

Elements of Style:	http://www.bartleby.com/141/index.html
Study Guides and Strategies:	http://www.iss.stthomas.edu/studyguides/
Guides to Historical Research:	http://www.lib.washington.edu/subject/History/tm/guide.html
A Student's Guide to Research with the WWW	http://www.slu.edu/departments/english/research/
Preparing to Write a Research Paper:	http://www.tntech.edu/www/acad/hist/library.html
Citation of Electronic Documents:	http://www.tntech.edu/www/acad/hist/citation.html
Chicago Documentation Style:	http://www.wisc.edu/writing/Handbook/DocChicago.html

Week of:	Topic
Sept. 26-Sept. 28	Subscription to class listserv Overview of useful on-line resources for doing research (Using the Census and Using On-Line Databases at PSU's Library)
Oct. 2-Oct. 6	Instructions for S.E.C.R.E.T.s Instructions for Research Paper Instructions for Field Observation
Oct. 9-Oct. 13	Discussion of Concept Paper
Oct. 16-Oct. 20	Film: The Social Life of Small Urban Spaces
Oct. 23-Oct. 27	First Field Observation Meeting (25 of your total 250 points for the paper).
Oct. 30-Nov.3	Discussion about Research Paper Projects (this discussion is worth 25 of your total 400 points for the paper).
Nov. 6-Nov 10	Second Field Observation Meeting (25 of your total 250 points for the paper).
Nov. 13-Nov. 17	Peer Review of Research Paper Drafts (this discussion is worth 25 of your total 400 points for the paper).
Nov. 21-Nov. 23	No formal mentor session this week. Drop-in for help on term paper on Tuesday, between 11-11:50
Nov. 28-Nov. 30	Film: Road to the Future