Urban Ethnography

Catalog description

This course examines the ways in which qualitative sociologists have studied group life in American cities, These studies are based on first hand observations, interviews, the analysis of documents, transcripts and other data sources. The course evaluates the strengths and weaknesses of these methodological approaches. In addition, the course uses the substantive findings of urban ethnographers to explain patterns of social change, social order and group action in American cities. The course uses primary source readings, drawn from both the history of American sociology and from contemporary studies.