This course offers an introduction to the sociological study of urban spaces, with a specific focus on Mediterranean coastal cities and their unique challenges. The course will combine theoretical lessons with practical examples, including on-field research designed and conducted by the students.
The theoretical part of the course will explore the structural contexts of opportunities and the evolution of approaches and paradigms in urban sociology. Emphasis will be placed on two main dimensions of urban sociology: the sociological understanding of urban morphology and the identification and study of social effects related to processes of distribution, cohabitation, and segregation among different socio-economic and ethnic groups. While covering the main pillars of classic urban sociology, the course will also delve into contemporary debates on urban population dynamics, spatial relations, and the interactions between groups and individuals. One of the unique aspects of this course is its focus on Mediterranean basin cities, where students will explore how these urban areas confront both long-standing and new challenges.
Through the lens of urban sociology, the course will examine the common challenges faced by cities bordering the Mediterranean basin, particularly in relation to migration, climate change, housing, conviviality, and urban security. These topics will be explored in class using both theoretical references and empirical research analysis. The practical part of the course will involve a reflection on sociological methodology, specifically focusing on urban ethnography and non-directive interviews. Students will gain the necessary knowledge and skills to conduct urban sociological research in a lab setting.
Overall, this course offers a comprehensive understanding of urban sociology in the context of Mediterranean coastal cities, providing students with valuable insights into the complexities and dynamics of these urban spaces and the challenges they face.
Laura SILVA
Séminaire
English
Autumn 2024-2025
1. In-class participation, based on mandatory readings (10%)
2. Podcast Outline Presentation (45%). You will be asked to prepare a one-page podcast outline
document and to briefly present it in class. Date: lecture 3/4
3. Podcast Audio file and Script (55%). In couple, you will be asked to prepare a 30-40 minutes
podcast on a topic of your choice. Deadline: December 19 th
Chen Xiangming, Orum Anthony M., and Paulsen Krista E., Introduction to Cities: How Place and Space Shape Human Experience (Chichester, UK: Wiley-Blackwell, II edition 2019).
Van Ham, M., Tammaru, T., Ubarevičienė, R., & Janssen, H. (2021). Urban socio-economic segregation and income inequality: A global perspective (p. 523). Springer Nature.