Course Overview
This page focuses on the course 11.469 Urban Sociology in Theory and Practice as it was taught by Assistant Professor Justin Steil and Teaching Assistant Aditi Mehta in Spring 2016.
This course introduces students to core writings in the field of urban sociology, and explores the nature and changing character of the city and the urban experience in the U.S. and abroad. Topics include the changing conceptions of “community,” the effects of neighborhood characteristics on individual outcomes, the significance of social capital and networks, the drivers of categorical inequality, and the interaction of social structure and political power. This class is comprised of students from MIT and from the Boston University Metropolitan College Prison Education Program, and took place at the Massachusetts Correctional Institution in Norfolk.
Course Outcomes
Course Goals for Students
The course has two primary goals:
- To give students a more critical appreciation of the contemporary, comparative, and historical contexts in which planning skills and sensibilities have been developed and are applied.
- To offer a “sociology of knowledge” approach to the field of urban sociology.
Instructor Insights
"The material in this course was challenging and the workload demanding. We did not see a difference in the capabilities or dedication of MIT and BU students. In classroom discussions, both groups of students shined. Because the MIT grad students had more practice writing, we spent more time editing BU papers, but the analysis, arguments, and thoughts were equally impressive among both groups. The experience reinforced the idea that everyone is capable of learning and contributing successfully if given the right opportunities."
Below, Assistant Professor Justin Steil and Teaching Assistant Aditi Mehta describe various aspects of how they taught 11.469 Urban Sociology in Theory and Practice.
- Creating a Collaborative Learning Environment
- Unique Learning Environment, Unique Discussions
- Teaching without Information Communication Technologies
Curriculum Information
Prerequisites
There are no prerequisites for this course. Permission of the instructor is required.
Requirements Satisfied
None
Offered
Offered on a variable schedule.
Assessment
Grade Breakdown
The students’ grades were based on the following activities:
- 20% In-class participation
- 30% Weekly response paper & presentation
- 10% In-class team presentation of an ethnography
- 15% Reflection paper on the learning experience
- 25% Term paper or research proposal
Student Information
Enrollment
23 students
Breakdown by Year
Undergraduate and graduate students
Breakdown by Major
MIT students were pursuing graduate degrees in city planning and urban studies and planning.
Boston University Metropolitan College students had received or were pursuing bachelor’s degrees in urban studies and sociology.
How Student Time Was Spent
During an average week, students were expected to spend 12 hours on the course, roughly divided as follows:
Seminar
- Met 1 time per week for 3 hours, 13 sessions total.
- Seminars included Socratic discussions, student presentations, and brief lectures about the assigned readings and study questions.
Out of Class
- Weekly response papers
- Preparation for team presentation of an ethnography
- Reflection paper on the learning experience
- Term paper or research proposal
