URB 301/IDSD 301
World View Perspectives of City Life

Course Description: This course examines how modern and post-modern world-view perspectives shape people's lives and influence the settlement patterns we design and inhabit. Critical consideration is given to the systematic patterns of thought that characterize groups and eras, impact built urban environments, guide human behavior and facilitate the development of a personal world-view.

Course Rationale: We live in a culturally heterogenous society. Our social pluralism is a reflection of underlying differences in how the world is seen and interpreted. In order to effectively understand and interact with people in our society, it is important to be able to know the basis for their system of beliefs, values, and norms. The underlying world-view perspective of a person or group influences how they construct and live their private and public lives. Understanding various world-views enables a person to more effectively interact with others and transcend sometimes difficult cultural boundaries.

Course Texts and Materials: Required texts for this course include From Modernism to Postmodernism: An Anthology (Lawrence Cahoone, ed; Blackwell Publishers), Postmetropolis: Critical Studies of Cities and Regions (Edward Soja, Blackwell Publishers), Postmodernism for Beginners (Jim Powell ,Writers and Readers), and Taking it to the Streets: using the arts to transform your community (J. Nathan Corbitt and Vivian Nix-Early, Baker Books). It is strongly recommended that students purchase their own copy of these required texts. This is an opportunity to build your library, adding to it written works that will be of value to you for many years to come.

Course Requirements:
1) Attendance and Participation - It is assumed each student is committed to achieving the highest educational value from this course. In order to accomplish is goal it is necessary to attend each class period and be actively involved in and a contributor to class activities.

Statement on Attendance: Missing two class sessions during the semester will lower your course grade by one full letter (three absences will result in a two-letter drop). Coming late to class or leaving class early two times will be equal to missing one class session. Arriving to class more than twenty minutes after class has begun will constitute an absence.

Statement on Participation: Students will also be graded on the quality of their individual contribution to discussions and in-class activities. To receive a high grade for participation come to each class having read the assigned material, prepared to make helpful contributions to class discussion, and with questions from your interaction with the texts.

Your "Participation" grade will be assessed as follows: (1) Full Credit - came to class having read the assignment, prepared to contribute to class discussion, and asked relevant, text-related questions; (2) Partial Credit - came to class having read the assignment, only participated in class discussion when called upon, and rarely asked questions from the readings; (3) None - came to class but did not participate in discussion or ask relevant questions.

2) Quizzes and Final Examination: At the beginning of each Tuesday class session there will be a short quiz over the assigned reading. Be prepared to give important information regarding main points, perspectives outlined by the author, or the identification of a key quote. The final examination will be comprehensive.

3) Weekly Reading Response (RR): Each week students will answer a set of questions based on the Soja reading. This activity is intended to help guide your reading and assist you in your critical thinking about key course concepts and give you opportunity for reflection. It can be easily accomplished while you are reading the chapter or article. Your response to the following five questions is due at the beginning of each class period and will be used during class discussion:

1. Summarize the central thesis of this chapter.
2. What factors and/or conditions does Soja suggest draw people in together or cause alienation i nurban environments?
3. What is suggested in terms of regional democracy, social equity and/or spatial justice?
4. How has this chapter expanded your spacial imagination and critical consciousness of the urban landscape?
5. What forms of critical thinking and practice suggested by Soja in this chapter can be applied to urban life in Philadelphia?

4) Small Group Work: Students will work in small groups to apply . different aspects of modern-postmodern world-view perspectives to urban life and the built environment. Course material is viewed as an important resource for thinking about and responding to each segment of these assignments. See Addendum for additional information.

5) Reflection Essay: ThAfter attending sessions led by Dr. Nathan Corbitt and Vivan Nix-Early at MCPC students will use course material to construct a three-page reflection essay focusing on a selected aspect of modern-postmodern worldview perspectives in relation to community development, and arts and Christian faith.

6) Individual Writing Project: There are two aspects of this writing project: dictionary of key terms and an essay defining post-modern urbanism. See Addendum for full description.

Grade Options:
Participation - Quizzes - Reading Responses - Final Exam - Sm Grp Work - Essay - Writing Project
A ....10% .........10% .........15% .........5% ..........45% ........5% ........10%
B ....15% .........15% .........15% .........5% ..........45% ........5%
C ....15% .........15% .........15% .........10% ........45%

Grading will be based on the following criteria:

"A" - excellent work throughout, worked with course material in seeking to answer important and relevant questions,
was able to be self-critical and demonstrated good analysis, very few mechanical and technical errors.
"B" - demonstrated attempts to work with course material in an applied, analytical manner.
"C" - met the most basic requirements for fulfilling this assignment, offered only limited or cursory analysis.
"D" - did not fulfill the assignment, parts were not accomplished, work had mechanical and technical errors, did not
demonstrate any attempt to think carefully or critically in accomplishing this assignment.