What is meant by the concept of multinucleated metropolitan regions and how is it different from urban development of the past?
Explain the sociospatial approach to urban Sociology and the links with global capitalism, the real estate industry, government policies, pull factors, the social organization of settlement space and the importance of culture.
Compare and contrast the views of Tonnies, Durkheim, Simmel, Wirth, Park, and Burgess on urban Sociology. Which theory do you think best explains views cities Sociologically and why?
The new urban Sociology has developed from an earlier theoretical work known as political economy. Who are some of the earlier Sociologists with this theoretical perspective and what are their views? Why are they significant to help our understanding of cities?
What is meant by uneven development, what causes it to occur in metropolitan regions and what are its effects on metropolitan growth? Give examples of uneven development from an area where you live.
Henri Lefebvre is a major theoretical figure in the development of urban political economy. What was his contributions to recent work in the new urban Sociology? Discuss his four ideas and explain how they are used in urban Sociology.
In "The Cultures of Cities" Sharon Zukin explores the importance of cultures on cities. Explain what she means by the symbolic economy, culture as an economic base, culture as a means of framing space and public space. How does the Disney empire fit into her views?
What does Zukin mean by the mystique of public culture? Explain her views of the meanings of culture and cultural strategies. How does she relate theory into her discussion?
What is the difference between the terms underclass and ghettoized poor and why is this important to understand? What is the significance of class stratification and spatial location with respect to difference social classes residing in cities. Discuss the importance of women, gender roles and space.
Discuss how class stratification and spatial location relate the Zukin's discussion of restaurants as culture, immigrants, employees, the social and ethnic division of labor, and the symbolic economy.