Ancient and Modern Cities
(Complete Item Description)
- Abstract:
This course will trace the development of cities and urban centers from the Ancient Period through the present era. The student will examine how political, economic, and social institutions influenced the structure of urban centers and shaped the built environment in cities across the world and vice versa. By the end of the course, the student will understand how cities have developed over the past six millennia and better appreciate the dynamic relationship between geography, political and social institutions, and the built environment. Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to: think critically about the development of cities and urban centers from the Ancient Period to the present era; identify and describe the origins and features of cities in ancient Mesopotamia, Egypt, Central Asia, and the Far East; identify and describe the Greek city-state and the evolution of the 'polis;' identify and describe the city planning and design that characterized the Roman Republic and Empire; identify and describe the emergence of Islamic cities in Africa and the Middle East, the rise of urban centers in China and Japan, and the sophisticated cities of the Aztec peoples in the Americas; identify and describe the indigenous and Roman influences of medieval European cities as well as analyze the cultural impact that these urban centers had; identify and describe the characteristics of the Baroque city and analyze the differences between the Renaissance city and the medieval city; Students will also be able to describe the emergence of colonial cities in the Americas and Asia; identify and describe the impact that the Industrial Revolution had on European cities and will be able to define the characteristics of an industrial city; identify and describe the origins and characteristics of the post-industrial city; identify and analyze the causes of the 'urban renaissance' and describe the movement's successes and pitfalls; analyze and interpret primary source documents from the ancient world to the present using historical research methods. (History 361)
- Subject:
- Humanities, Social Sciences
- Grade Level:
- Post-secondary
- Collection:
- Saylor Foundation