- URB STD 450G-001 Urban Growth and Development: A Global View , Spring 2024
Instructor: Jamie Harris (jmh@uwm.edu)
Urbanization is advancing at an unprecedented rate around the world, with most of that growth occurring in the “developing” Global South, often in informal settlements. More than 1 billion people now reside in informal settlements, and many megacities will be approaching populations of 30 million over the next decade. Rapid urbanization, and the shadow cities that accompany this kind of development can have broad implications for urban poverty and inequality, migration, and the impacts of climate change. Along with this explosion of urbanization, the last two decades have witnessed much new theorizing and empirical research focused on cities and urbanized regions of the Global South. Many of these scholars have challenged conventional urban theory and critiqued the field of urban studies that emerged in the 20th century for its decidedly European and North American orientation. Unable to fully account for the complexity and diverse historical, political and cultural basis of different urbanisms that were emerging, these scholars, many from outside the West, began to formulate new approaches and concepts to more fully understand urban change and development. This interdisciplinary, hybrid course will examine some of these debates and explore some of this new empirical work as we delve into an array of urban contexts across several regions and countries outside the U.S. Particular attention will be given to urban informality and territories of exclusion in Brazil, Ghana, and India; state-led urbanization in China; Global City formations in a number of cities; greening cities and climate disaster and resilience in Europe, Asia, and Canada; urban citizenship, tactical urbanism and 'right to the city' campaigns, and the role of urban space in shaping and fostering political mobilization for gender equality, poor people, and climate justice, across a number of cities and countries. - URB STD 728-001 Urban Community Workshop Exploring Community Gardens, Spring 2025
Instructor: Arijit Sen (sena@uwm.edu)
Are you passionate about culture, community, and urban sustainability? Dive into a unique learning experience with our exciting new course: Exploring Community Gardens! This course is your gateway to understanding how community gardens are much more than green spaces—they’re vibrant centers of cultural memory, social connection, and urban heritage. Modeled on the Smithsonian Institution’s “Community of Gardens” project, we’ll focus on four remarkable community gardens in Milwaukee. These gardens are at the heart of their neighborhoods, preserving cultural traditions and collective histories even in times of change. Who Should Enroll? This course is ideal for students in history, urban studies, and related fields who are eager to explore the intersections of culture, community, and conservation. By the end, you’ll gain a deeper understanding of how urban spaces are valued for their ongoing social and cultural impacts, beyond just aesthetics and historical significance. Why Join Us? Hands-On Learning: Start with insightful readings and then dive into real-world case studies. Document and analyze these four community gardens and see firsthand how they shape and sustain their communities. Engage Directly: Connect with gardeners through interviews and community engagement. Discover their stories and explore the cultural lifelines these gardens provide. Make a Difference: In the second half of the course, you’ll plan and execute community visioning sessions, history harvests, and memory mapping. Collaborate with community partners to create actionable plans that support and grow these vital green spaces. Skills You’ll Gain: *Master organizing and conducting focus groups and community meetings *Develop expertise in asset mapping and visioning *Learn to document and interpret urban green spaces as part of a larger heritage narrative *Engage with community members and stakeholders to uncover the significance of garden spaces *Design multimedia exhibits and websites *Enhance your grant writing and research skills Participating Gardens: Cherry Street Community Garden; Walnut Hill Community Garden; Riverview Community Garden; Convent Hill Community Garden Ready to make an impact and uncover the stories behind Milwaukee’s community gardens? Visit blcfieldschool2023.weebly.com for more details and enroll today! Join us in celebrating and preserving the vibrant green spaces that enrich our urban landscape. Your adventure starts here! - URB STD 921-001 Seminar: Research Methods in Urban Studies , Fall 2024
Instructor: Joel Rast (jrast@uwm.edu)
This is a primarily qualitative research methods course that focuses on methodologies most often used in the field of urban studies. Key themes will include sociology of knowledge, research design, field research and interviewing techniques, qualitative data analysis, community-based participatory research, content analysis, comparative/historical research, and case studies. Appropriate for master’s and PhD students from Urban Studies, Sociology, Geography, Political Science, and History with an interest in qualitative methods and urban affairs. Course readings will both illustrate methodological themes and approaches and illuminate key topics of interest in urban studies. - URB STD 983-001 Contemporary Urban Social Structure and Change , Spring 2025
Instructor: Jennifer Jordan (jajordan@uwm.edu)