First-Year Seminar (101-6-23)
Topic
Cities: Six Millennia and Counting
Instructors
Roberto Rosado Ramirez
1810 Hinman Ave.
I am an anthropological archaeologist specializing in the study of pre-Columbian Maya culture (AD 300-1550) of Mesoamerica. I started my career in archaeology in Mexico, and then moved to the USA to continue my education. I received my PhD from the department of anthropology at Northwestern University. My teaching experience includes courses in archaeology, anthropology, and heritage studies. I have participated in and directed archaeological excavations in Mexico, Belize, and the southeastern United States. My research examines how humans can regenerate community life amidst ruined cities in the aftermath of political collapse and environmental crises. Beyond academics, I enjoy traveling, being outside, and reading Latin American literature.
Meeting Info
Allison Residential Comm 1021: Tues, Thurs 3:30PM - 4:50PM
Overview of class
In this first-year seminar you will develop and refine your critical thinking and writing skills. You will do so by reading and writing about a quintessential human space: the city. Today, more than half of the world's population lives in urban areas. The growth of modern cities suggests that humans thrive in urban environments. Cities, however, are a relatively recent phenomenon in history. Further, cities are not essential for human survival. Then, why do cities dominate the modern world? Drawing broadly on scholarship in anthropology and other disciplines, we will read about the characteristics of urban life in human history, from the first experiments with urbanization 6,000 years ago to contemporary global cities. This course is not intended to be an introduction to anthropology or to urban studies. This seminar will be a workshop in which you will be introduced to college-level modes of thinking, writing, and arguing through reading and writing about cities.
Teaching Method
Lecture and discussion
Evaluation Method
Class participation, writing exercises, short papers, and final project
Class Materials (Required)
All required readings will be available on Canvas
Class Attributes
WCAS First-Year Seminar
Enrollment Requirements
Enrollment Requirements: Reserved for First Year & Sophomore only