POLS 427 - Urban Politics and Governance


Credits: 3

This course will examine the nature of cities and their political structures and institutions. We will understand how cities are designed and have grown and evolved, the role of political power in urban political systems, the political machines of the 19th and early 20th century, the urban reform movements of the early 20th century and the metropolitan government reform movement of the second half of the 20th century (i.e., city-county consolidation). This course also examines the internal bureaucratic politics and citizen political participation within cities. This course will also focus on the various problems and issues facing cities, such as affordable housing, poverty and inequality, racial injustice, gentrification, attracting the creative class, sprawl and suburbanization, and the globalization of cities, and evaluate policy responses to these problems and issues.

USI Core 39: Social Science (BS); Ways of Knowing - Social Inquiry; Embedded Experience - Writing

Prerequisite(s): ENG 201 ; POLS 102  or POLS 271 ; junior standing OR consent of instructor

Term(s) Offered: Every other year


Check course availability in Fall 2024

Check course availability in Spring 2025

Check course availability in First Summer 2025

Check course availability in Second Summer 2025




Print-Friendly Page (opens a new window)