GEOG 5560 - The Just and Sustainable City

A critical examination of the role of nature and political economy in the sustainable development of urban environments in the context of social and environmental justice. Topics studied include the relationship between urbanism and nature, environmental justice, compact versus sprawling development, slums in developing world cities, urban agriculture as a solution to urban hunger, toxic lawn ecologies, uneven urban forests and parks, vulnerability to urban climate changes, brownfield redevelopment and the specter of gentrification, and the role of animals in the city, among other topics. These topics are studied in both developed and developing world contexts. Students taking this course will also be asked to evaluate urban sustainability initiatives related to these topics with concepts of social and environmental justice in mind.

Requisites:
Credit Hours: 4
Repeat/Retake Information: May not be retaken.
Lecture/Lab Hours: 4.0 lecture
Grades: Eligible Grades: A-F,WP,WF,WN,FN,AU,I
Learning Outcomes:

Students will be able to illustrate that cities and environments are not antithetical by connecting urbanization with nature
Students will be able to critically assess problems associated with urban development and interrogate associated sustainability initiatives
Students will be able to evaluate social and biophysical interactions contributing to urban change and environmental (in)justice
Students will be able to formulate a central research question for their term papers.
Students will be able to synthesize relevant literature into a properly cited and coherent literature review
Students will be able to formulate their argument in a way that supports their data and findings.
Students will be able to improve their writing through the process of critical self-reflection and revision.