City Life: Local and Global Perspectives
As creative artists, students will be visiting, working, and living in cities. This course provides a sociological lens to view the interactive energy of cities' crowded streets and creative vibrancy. This class has a global perspective and draws upon student expertise of their own city as case-study material. Students examine the sociological interaction theories of Durkheim, Goffman, and Merton, and study Jacobs' theories on safety and vibrancy sustainability. They then apply theory to practice with independent research assignments conducted in the field. The goals of the course include a refined ability to use sociology in the city experience and a broadening of one's understanding of resilience within the complexities of fast-paced urban living.