i.

Course title: SO 276: INTRODUCTION TO URBAN SOCIOLOGY

ii. Course Aim

The objective of the course is to acquaint students with major sociological approaches in urban sociology
and to enable them to understand key factors contributing to urbanization in different parts of the world.
The course will also equip student with analytical skills/tools for conceptualizing and researching on ‘the
urban’

This course introduces students to the subject matter of the Sociology of Urbanization and the
fundamental issues pertaining to urban life. The course examines key theoretical assumptions and
conceptual issues on the process of urbanization that have been developed over time. Different
experiences or urbanization (trends and related structures) in the world will also be explored to enrich the
course with comparative analysis. Attention will also be paid to specific types of social and political
relations in the city and its environment. Case studies from the African context will be extensively used to
give the course a more practical grounding.

iii. Course Learning Expected Outcome

At the end of the course, students are expected:

 To analyze and evaluate major theoretical perspectives and concepts in the sub-
discipline of urban sociology
 To use different approaches to solving problems using well established ideas
and techniques within the sub-discipline of urban sociology
 To interpret urbanization and social issues in terms of the major theoretical
perspectives in sub-discipline of urban sociology.
 To demonstrate appropriate use of both quantitative and qualitative
methodologies as well as interpret the results of data gathered in studying
urbanization processes.
 To develop evidence-based arguments related to urbanization processes and
practices
 To communicate effectively in both written and oral form.

iv. Course Status: Elective

v. Credit Rating: 12 Credits
vi. Total Hours Spent: 120 hours

Lecture Tutorial/Seminar Assignment Independent Practical Total

Hours Hours Hours Study Hours Hours
Hours
30 15 25 25 25 120
 vii. Course Content
Module 1: Introduction
1.1 The Sociology of Urbanization – an overview
1.2 Key concepts and terminologies (‘urban’, urbanization, urbanism)

Module 2: Comparative experiences of urbanization in the world

2.1 Ancient urbanization
2.2 Urbanization experiences of Western/industrialized societies
2.3 Urbanization in non-industrialized societies/the ‘Third World’

Module 3: Sociological approaches to the study of urbanization and ‘the urban’

3.1 Theories of space and community
3.2 Urban ecological approaches
3.3 Socio cultural/psychological or micro-level approaches

Module 4: The city – Urban dynamics and urban life in the 3rd ‘World’
4.1 The city in the 3rd World
4.2 Social organization and social structure in urban areas
4.3 Urban economy and production systems and livelihoods
4.4 Politics and power of/in ‘the urban’
4.5 Migration and the rural-urban continuum debate

Module 5: Other sociological issues related to the urban environment

5.1 Urban planning, land use and settlements
5.2 Urban environmental issues
4.3 Gender issues in urban areas of the 3rd World

viii. Teaching and Learning Activities

Collection of articles will be provided via Class Representative E-mail or Moodle online
platform. All students are expected to read comprehensively all required reading prior
to each lecture and seminar session. Based on the fact that the lectures and seminars
will regularly draw largely upon the suggested reading(s), student are expected to get
at least awareness with this so that to participate completely in lecture and seminar
discussions.

ix. Assessment: Course work 40 percent and the Final Examination 60 percent.

Reading lists
Abu-Lughod, J. & R. Hay Jr eds (1977). Third World Urbanization. Maaruofa Press.
Breese, G. (1966). Urbanization in Newly Developed Countries. Prentice-Hall, Engelwood Cliffs, NJ
Costello, V. F. (1977). Urbanization in the Middle East. Prentice-Hall publishers
Flanagan, W. G. (1990). Urban Sociology: Images and Structure. Allyn & Bacon, Boston.
Ngware, S. & J. M. Kironde eds (2000). Urbanizing Tanzania: Issues, Initiatives and Priorities. DUP
Obudho, R. A. & P. P. Waller (1976). Periodic Markets, Urbanization and Regional Planning. A Case
Study from Western Kenya. Greenwood Press USA.
Palen, J.J. (1992). The Urban World. 4th Edition. Virginia Commonwealth University. McGraw-Hill, Inc
Park, R. E. & E. W. Burgess (1967). The City: University of Chicago Press.
Saunders, P. (1981). Social Theory and the Urban Question. Hutchinson University Press.
Wirth, L. (1938). “Urbanism as a Way of Life”, American Journal of Sociology, Vol. 44. 1-24, July 1938
Kevin Fitzpatrick&Mark La Gory (2000) Unhealthy Places: The Ecology of Risk in the Urban
Landsacape, Routledge, NY
Richard G. Fox (1977) Urban Anthropology: Cities in their Cultural Settings, Prentia-Hall
Bernard Calas (2006) From Dar es Salaam to Bongoland: Urban Mutations in tanzania. Mkuki na Nyota
Deyssi Rodriguez-Torres (ed.) (2010) Nairobi Today: The Paradox of a Fragmented City. Mkuki na
Nyota
Kareen Coen Flynn (2005) Food, Culture and Survival in an African City. Pagrave
Ulf Hannerz (1980) Exploring the City: Inquiries Toward an Urban Anthropology. Colombia University
Press
Manuel Castells (1983) The City and the Grassroots, University of California Press
Manuel Castells (1978) City, Class and Power. The Macmillan Press ltd