Global Metropolitan Studies

University of California, Berkeley

This is an archived copy of the 2014-15 guide. To access the most recent version of the guide, please visit http://guide.berkeley.edu/.

Overview

The 21st century will be an urban century with more people around the world residing in metropolitan regions than in any other form of human settlement. This urbanization is taking place in both the global North and the global South. Its implications are widespread: from environmental challenges to entrenched patterns of segregation to new configurations of politics and social movements. The Global Metropolitan Studies Initiative is concerned with this urban condition. Bringing together numerous faculty, this multidisciplinary endeavor supports research and houses graduate and undergraduate curricula. It is one of a handful of strategic initiatives selected by the UC Berkeley campus to mark a new generation of scholarship and to consolidate an emerging academic field.

Undergraduate Program

There is no undergraduate program in Global Metropolitan Studies.

Graduate Program

Global Metropolitan Studies : Designated Emphasis (DE)

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Courses

Global Metropolitan Studies

GMS 200 Global Metropolitan Studies: Introduction to Theories, Histories, and Methods 3 Units

The investigation of modern cities presents great challenges for social and urban theory. This seminar addresses these challenges through a multidisciplinary perspective that structures the discussion in terms of a history of metropolitan transformations, global urbanization, and the production and regulation of cities as spaces of contestation and creativity.

GMS 201 Research Seminar in Comparative Urban Studies 3 Units

This core seminar for the Designated Emphasis in Global Metropolitan Studies offers an in-depth examination of contemporary research topics, data and methods, recent research findings, and challenges in specific subfields of international urban studies. Emphasis will be placed upon the discussion and improvement of students' dissertation chapters.

GMS C203 Urban and Subnational Politics in Developing Countries 4 Units

This course will consider the political and institutional environment in which efforts to address metropolitan problems are developed, the financial and institutional vehicles used to provide services of different types, and the role of political parties and other forms of political organization in the development and allocation of services. Emphasis will be placed upon fertile areas for research within the social sciences.

GMS 299 Independent Study or Research 1 - 12 Units

Individual study or research program; must be worked out with GMS faculty in advance of signing up for credits.

Contact Information

Designated Emphasis in Global Metropolitan Studies

226 Wurster Hall

Phone: 510-643-6440

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Program Co-Director

Jason Corburn, PhD (School of Public Health and Department of City and Regional Planning)

410C Wurster Hall

Phone: 510-643-4790

jcorburn@berkeley.edu

Program Co-Director

James Holston, PhD (Department of Anthropology)

232 Kroeber Hall

Phone: 510-643-8557

jholston@berkeley.edu

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