Spring 2022  |  SOC 3461 Section 001: Sociology of Neighborhoods: People, Place, Housing, and Community (66140)

Instructor(s)
Class Component:
Lecture
Credits:
3 Credits
Grading Basis:
A-F or Audit
Instructor Consent:
No Special Consent Required
Instruction Mode:
In Person Term Based
Times and Locations:
Regular Academic Session
 
01/18/2022 - 05/02/2022
Tue, Thu 02:30PM - 03:45PM
UMTC, West Bank
Blegen Hall 135
Enrollment Status:
Open (19 of 35 seats filled)
Also Offered:
Course Catalog Description:
This course is an introduction to the sociological study of neighborhoods, exploring how sociologists study people in their local communities. Generally the course focuses on neighborhoods in American society, and may explore broader issues with a research focus on neighborhoods in the Twin Cities area which students can study using a range of sociological research methods. Students will learn about a range of methods for studying neighborhoods including analysis of local area statistics, ethnographies, and interviews, and how to analyze different forms of data to meet the Data Analysis requirements for the BS in Sociology. Important themes which are addressed in the class include the composition and population structure of communities, racial and ethnic segregation, associational and civic life, municipal government and politics, community folklore and memory, housing, and local environmental issues. Soc 1001 recommended; Soc Majors and Minors must register A-F
Class Notes:
Click this link for more detailed course information: http://classinfo.umn.edu/?eroberts+SOC3461+Spring2022
Class Description:
In Sociology of Neighborhoods you will explore contemporary issues in American cities by studying neighborhood change, diversity, housing and public safety issues in a selection of Minneapolis neighborhoods. We will contrast what we find in observations and interviews of local neighborhoods with reading a selection of recent articles and books about the structure and social patterns of American neighborhoods. The class begins with reading about the theory and historical sociology of American neighborhoods, and the particular neighborhoods we will study as a class. In the second half of the class we will collaborate on a real research project in Minneapolis neighborhoods, with students having the opportunity to interview local residents. We then work as a class to interpret the interview data we have collected, and finish with student led presentations about the neighborhoods we have studied.
Who Should Take This Class?:
Students interested in gaining applied experience in interviews and research methods will have the opportunity in this class to work together on a large research project that we achieve collaboratively over the course of a semester. Students interested in social movements, social change, current debates over public safety and housing in Minneapolis will find these topics in the class. Students interested in careers in social organizing, government service, non-profit work, and social research will also benefit from the topics studied and experiences obtained in this class
Learning Objectives:
The two key objectives of the class are for students to 1) become more familiar with current debates in the study of American cities and neighborhoods, and 2) improve their skills in conducting applied social research drawing on quantitative, qualitative, and visual sources.
Grading:
Grading is based on
1) Completion of an interview with a local resident, submitted with a transcript and analysis memo (40%),
2) Statistical profile of demographic change in a Minneapolis neighborhood (20%),
3) Ethnographic observations of neighborhood meetings and events (20%)
4) Documenting your contributions to group work (10%)
5) Poster produced by your group about the neighborhood you studied (10%)
Exam Format:
No exam. Entirely internally assessed.
Class Format:
20% lecture, 60% discussion and work in small groups, 20% external visits to neighborhoods and interviews. Students should be prepared for a flexible class format in which some weeks they spend required time outside the classroom conducting interviews, or observing neighborhood events, while other weeks have a more regular classroom structure. Neighborhood events will often occur in the evenings, and students should be prepared to accommodate attending 2-3 evening events during the semester. We visit Minneapolis neighborhoods that are easily accessible by public transit from campus, and will work as a class to share car rides where possible to make transportation easier.
Workload:
Approximately 60 pages of reading every week
Textbooks:
https://bookstores.umn.edu/course-lookup/66140/1223
Syllabus:
http://classinfo.umn.edu/syllabi/eroberts_SOC3461_Spring2022.pdf
Instructor Supplied Information Last Updated:
28 September 2021

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