Nicole Hall

This course reviews current concepts and methods used in geographic and urban interdisciplinary research. This course is a graduate level research seminar to familiarize and engage students in an area of contemporary urban research, its history, networks, strategies and techniques. It will develop methods and skills for the research and analysis of urban systems, economies, structures, infrastructures, spaces and / or cultures and techniques to visualize and present research findings. The major goals are to have students trace the social context of their research interests and develop a literature review of essential readings to serve as the foundation for a written thesis, academic publication, or application for a PhD program. Jacobs, J. - The Death and Life of Great American Cities, Cresswell, Tim. - Geographic Thought: An Introduction, Goodchild, Michael F. - Theoretical Geography, Harris, Cole. - The Historical Mind and the Practice of Geography, Meinig, D W. - Geography as an Art, Mitchell, Don. - New Axioms for Reading the Landscape: Paying Attention to Political Economy and Social Justice, Fainstein, Susan S. - New Directions in Planning Theory, Kromer, John. - Fixing Broken Cities: The Implementation of Urban Development Strategies. Student will contribute regular written exercises in synthesizing topics and conclude the course with a robust academic literature review.