Requirements
How your final grade is calculated
Class attendance and participation
15% Two in-class essay exams
20% Two group assignments
20% Take-home exam
15% WTC Redevelopment report and essay exam 15% Final paper 15%
Special Note:
Academic accommodations are available for students with disabilities who are registered with the Office of Disability and Support Services. Please schedule an appointment with the instructor early in the semester to discuss any accommodations for this course which have been approved by the Director of Disability and Support Services as indicated in your DSS accommodation letter.
Class attendance and participation
As citizens of this class, we all have the responsibility to contribute to the discussion and activities of the class. Failure to take part in class discussion or Blackboard exercises, inability to answer specific questions from the readings and projects, or inadequate involvement in group projects will impair other students' opportunities for learning.
As a result, attendance and participation are required for this course. Absence in more than two classes will harm your final grade. Failure to participate in the ways outlined above will also reflect poorly on your participation grades. Attendance in the "Redeveloping the World Trade Center" events (see schedule) is expected unless you have conflicting courses or required events.
Students are to come to class having finished the required readings by the date they are assigned. Bring the assigned readings to class with you. If the reading comes in digital form (a PDF, a website, etc.), print it out and bring it with you.
In-class essay exams
On February 7 and April 22, you will take a brief open-book exam consisting of one essay question.
Group assignments
On February 19 and May 6, you will take part in a group activity that require each member to write a 2-3 page papers (after class for the first date, before class for the second). Your final grade will combine your individual paper and group participation.
Take-home exam
On March 6, you will be given a take-home essay exam that is designed to be finished in 24 hours. You may discuss the essay questions with other students, but the exam cannot be written in collaboration with anyone else.
WTC Redevelopment report and essay exam
On April 8, you will turn in a 5-8 page account of the conflict over the World Trade Center redevelopment. In class on that date, you will use this report to answer one essay question.
Final paper
By May 14 of finals week, you will turn in a 4-5 page essay on your "Urban Studies manifesto." Identify an urban issue that you believe Urban Studies should emphasize; select three disciplinary perspectives and explain how they might investigate this issue methodologically and theoretically; and discuss the intellectual and practical benefits of combining these disciplines. Based on this discussion, propose a vision of Urban Studies that involves viewing the urban through the multidisciplinary approach you have taken.