In The City

Description

A city ought to be a school for learning how to lead a centered life. Through exposure to others, we might learn how to weigh what is important and what is not. We need to see differences on the streets or in other people neither as threats nor as sentimental invitations, rather as necessary visions. They are necessary for us to learn how to navigate life with balance individually and collectively.
- Richard Sennett

This is a field-based program designed for students who have completed previous academic work in urban studies or social science, and who are prepared to spend a number of weeks living in one of the world’s cities. Possible urban study topics are numerous and include: transportation, housing, art venues, urban community organizations, environmental concerns, architectural styles, historical studies, city schools, city writing, or music or arts projects.

Students design a formal field study plan that details: site, specific urban research topic of their interest, field study questions, research methods and modes of documentation. The first two weeks of the quarter will focus on the preparation of the field study document along with book seminars on The Art of Travel (de Botton 2002) and Travel as a Political Act (Rick Steves, 2009).  Students are responsible for all travel, accommodation and other expenses associated with their urban field study.  Budgets must be calculated according to destination.

Students will keep a field journal during the six weeks of field study that documents research activities and responds to their readings. Weekly, program e-mail communiques are required.  Students are required to be on campus during week nine to prepare for a formal program presentation of their fieldwork to be presented during week ten.

Program Itinerary:
First two weeks on campus (March 28-April 7)
Six-week field study period (April 7-May 23)
Last two weeks on campus (May 23-June 3)
Evaluation week is June 6-10.