1. The City University of New York
La Guardia Community College
SSN187 Urban Sociology
3 credits; 3 hours
This course examines changing ideas about the city and the changing impact of the city
on American lifestyles. With reference to New York City, the course explores the origins
and the social structure of the city. It focuses on the relationship of class to family,
gender, education, ethnicity, religion, politics and economics. Visits to housing projects,
community organizations, or service delivery agencies will familiarize the students with
the issues of planning and change in the city.
Richard V. Imprescia Spring 2003 - Session I / Sec6863
Tel: (212) 803-3133 Saturdays: 9:15am - 12:45pm
Fax: (212) 803-3615 March 15th
- June 7th
, 2003
Rimprescia@empire.state.ny.us Room C-104
Books:
REQUIRED:
Doig, Jameson W. Empire on the Hudson: Entrepreneurial Vision and Political Power at
the Port of New York Authority. (Columbia University Press, 2001) ISBN: 0-231-07676-2
Magnet, Myron, Ed. The Millennial City: A New Paradigm for 21st
-Century America. (Ivan
R. Dee, 2000) ISBN: 1-56663-285-4
Course Description:
The principal goal of this course is to provide students with a practical framework for understanding how public
policy shapes the City and its society. The primary focus is New York City government and its involvement in both
service deliveries to residents and support of economic growth. Students will consider the aspects that shape the
successful city and examine the failed attempts at saving it including economic development; crime; social and
economic planning; decision-making; land-use; welfare, education and health reform; housing & community
development; public safety and social pathologies. The emphasis will be on developing conceptual skills that will
enable the student to connect scholarly literature to contemporary urban problems such as homelessness, chronic
fiscal stress, and organized crime. The course will draw on theory from all social science disciplines, with particular
attention to cultural, political, and social forces that shape the city.
Format:
This course will emphasize the practical relevance of government and daily urban life. The assigned texts and
articles examine the social issues that dominate daily city life and demonstrate a relationship between government,
the individual and society. There are several assignments for this course:
• After reading Jameson Doig, Empire on the Hudson, prepare a 1000 word essay that describes and
evaluates the current use and users of a park, highway, or housing project built by one of the numerous
public authorities and agencies. You are to include information on the historic rationale for the project,
how it has met, exceeded or failed to meet its initial goals, and the relationship of the project to New
York City today. This assignment is due May 3rd
.

2. • Prepare a case study (not less than 15 pages – double-spaced) of an urban development project in
which you describe and analyze the involvement of public officials, civic or community groups,
government agencies and business leaders in formulating, advocating, opposing/supporting or
implementing a plan/project/policy in New York City. The paper should include a description of the
project, its stages of development, the key actors in support or opposition and the social, political and
economic impact of the project on the immediate community and the city in general. Be sure to
specifically refer to policy concepts discussed in class, readings, articles or guests.
The final paper is due June 14th
- NO PAPERS ACCEPTED AFTER THIS DATE.
Late assignments will be accepted with a reduction in your final grade. Prompt and regular attendance is a
policy requirement of the College. Accordingly, more than 3 absences from class will result in a reduction in
your final grade. Please contact me in the event of extreme or extraordinary circumstances that may affect you
attendance or general academic performance.
The course will be conducted as a seminar requiring each participant to be well prepared for each session. Session
will be three and one-half hours in length, generally following the following outline:
60 minutes – Lecture and discussion of current news media related urban issue.
90 minutes – Presentation by guest speaker or instructor
60 minutes – Presentation by team-group or instructor
Participants will be divided into peer team-groups. Sections of class time will be allocted to allow students to
discuss and evaluate theme questions for class discussion. Teams will present the weekly assigned readings or
substitute other related sources.
Guest Speakers:
Individuals from various professional and political organizations will appear in class to discuss practical
political and social policy that affects life in New York City and New York State.
Grade Determinations:
30% - Class Participation
30% - 1000-word paper
40% - Final project paper
COURSE OUTLINE:
1.0 MARCH 15 Course Requirements and Introduction to Urban Sociology
2.0 MARCH 22 The Role of Government in Society
2.1 Empire on the Hudson pp. 1-23
3.0 MARCH 29 New York City: The Historical Origins & Future Planning
3.1 Empire on the Hudson pp. 27-73
4.0 APRIL 5 New York City: Planning & Development
4.1 Empire on the Hudson pp. 77-177
5.0 APRIL 12 The Urban Society & Culture
5.1 Empire on the Hudson pp.181-244
5.2 Hanson, Victor Davis. “A Ray of Arab Candor” City Journal, Winter 2003/Vol.13,No.1
http://www.city-journal.org/html/eon_7_3_02vdh.html
Hymowitz, Kay S. “Why Feminism is AWOL on Islam” City Journal, ibid.
http://www.city-journal.org/html/issue_13_1.html

3. APRIL 19 NO CLASS
Empire on the Hudson pp.247-402
6.0 APRIL 26 Cities: Social & Political Ideology and How it Shapes Policy Decision
6.1 The Millennial City, pp.3-19; 34-46
7.0 MAY 03 Education & Urban Policy: Urban Reform Policies
7.1 The Millennial City, pp.110-166
8.0 MAY 10 Welfare: Socialization and the Role of Religion
ASSIGNMENT #1 - DUE
Debate: The Role of Religion in Society - Dr. Alan Keyes & Alan Dershowitz
8.1 The Millennial City, pp.192-246; 256-263
9.0 MAY 17 The Urban Economy: Economic Development & Urban Revitalization
9.1 The Millennial City, pp.284-294; 303-318
9.2 Malanga, Steven. "Bloomberg to City: Drop Dead"
City Journal, Winter 2003/Vol.13,No.1
http://www.city-journal.org/html/13_1_bloomberg_to_city.html
10.0 MAY 24 The Physical City & Immigration: Urban Design Policies & Why it Matters?
10.1 The Millennial City, pp.320-326; 347-353; 356-386
10.2 Jacoby,Tamar. “How to Turn More Immigrants into Americans” New York Sun, July 3,
2002 http://www.manhattan-institute.org/html/_nys-how_to_turn.htm
11.0 MAY 31 Crime, Public Safety & Local Communities
11.1 The Millennial City, pp.70-108
11.2 McDonald, Heather. "The Myth of Racial Profiling" City Journal
http://www.city-journal.org/html/11_2_the_myth.html
12.0 JUNE 7 Quality-of-Life & Future Planning Policy Reforms in New York City
1212 Wright, David J. "Saving City Neighborhoods: New Findings, Trends & Policies" The
Rockefeller Institute
http://www.rockinst.org/publications/urban_studies/SavingCityNeighborhoods.pdf
12.2 Moss, Mitchell "Telecommunications & Economic Development: The Challenge for
Planners" American Planning Association News & Views
http://www.mitchellmoss.com/articles/99-04-apa.html
13.0 JUNE 14 FINAL PROJECT DUE