IMPORTANT: Students are required to use moodle in order to access course materials that include syllabus,
quizzes, midterm, final exam, electronic reserve readings, and to submit course assignments. It is important that the
student uses a browser compatible with “moodle”. Please note that t...
URBS 350
URBS 350 OL, Developing World Cities Sp 17 Session SYLLABUS 1
Prof. De Oliveira euri@csun.edu URBS Dept (818)677-2904
IMPORTANT: Students are required to use moodle in order to access course materials that include syllabus,
quizzes, midterm, final exam, electronic reserve readings, and to submit course assignments. It is important that the
student uses a browser compatible with “moodle”. Please note that there have been situations in which the student
used the browser “Explorer” to submit a quiz but it did not get through, so make sure that the browser you are using
is compatible with “moodle”. For moodle tech support please access the links “IT HELP CENTER “and
“STUDENT MOODLE HELP” available in the class homepage. The professor will not be able to provide
tech/software support to the student.
_______________________________________________________________________
Class Time: Online (TBA) Class Location: This is a fully online [not a hybrid] course. There will be no
face to face interaction with the professor. Virtual office hours: Thursdays 3-4 pm via Moodle
Catalog Course Description – URBS 350 (3 units) is available for General Education credit under Subject
Explorations, and Comparative Cultural Studies. This course entails a cultural analysis of Third World
(developing countries) urbanization and counter-urbanization with emphasis on particular aspects of
urban life and social change in Africa, Latin America, the Middle East and Southeastern Asia. It is
available for General Education and Comparative Cultural Studies. Prerequisite: Upper division
standing and completion of lower-division writing requirement. Students are required to complete writing
assignments totaling 2,500 words minimal (final exam essay is not included).
Single Learning Objectives: To understand the socio-economic, political, and cultural forces through the
definition and interpretation of how life is lived in urban places, and the various physical forms of cities
of the developing countries (a.k.a. third world countries). To use of a geographic-temporal framework to
understand the urbanization processes leading to the contemporary cities since their beginning in the
colonial period. To help students to advance their intellectual skills while (1) learning approaches and
tools of academic research, (2) thinking critically while presenting facts and opinions through analysis
and verification, and (3) communicating clear written work including proper grammar, spelling,
punctuation, paragraph structure, and logical construction.
URBS 350OL is a multidisciplinary program that covers various areas of study applicable not only to
urban studies and planning but also to other majors including social, natural and hard sciences, education,
businesses, humanities and communications. Class mix generally encompasses an array of distinct racial
and ethnic groups within U.S. and international origins. The program examines the many elements
shaping urban development and cities of the developing (a.k.a. third world) countries within the north and
south hemispheres. This course frames the urbanization theories, development policies and strategies,
and the many issues faced by cities of the developing countries through the micro-macro interplay
perspective (globalization).
Throughout the course students and the professor engage in a varied of activities concerning numerous
urban themes including but not limited to informal economy and job market structures, gender relations,
youth perspectives and child labor, land-use and transportation, informal housing, governance and civil
society, poverty, education, urban sustainability, and climate change. At the end of the course the student
will have advanced a critical knowledge of the many problems faced by urban and rural populations from
the developing countries. The student will be able to apply problem solving skills to articulate plausible
solutions (policies) and specific actions (legislation, programs, projects) to address these problems.
Academic Dishonesty: “The maintenance of academic integrity and quality education is the responsibility of
each student within this university and the California State University system. Cheating or plagiarism in
connection with an academic program at a campus is listed in Section 41301, Title V, California Code of
Regulations, as an offense for which a student may be expelled, suspended, or given a less severe disciplinary
sanction. Academic dishonesty is an especially serious offense and diminishes the quality of scholarship and
This study source was downloaded by 100000869052700 from CourseHero.com on 07-21-2023 06:12:02 GMT -05:00
, URBS 350 OL, Developing World Cities Sp 17 Session SYLLABUS 2
Prof. De Oliveira euri@csun.edu URBS Dept (818)677-2904
defrauds those who depend upon the integrity of the campus programs.”(Appendix E.2 Academic Dishonesty
http://www.csun.edu/catalog/appendices.html#E4)
Students with disabilities must register with the Center on Disabilities BH 110 (818 677-2684)
codss@csun.edu, and share the matter with the professor by the second week of class the latest.
Required Textbook: Martine, George; McGranahan, Gordon; Montgomery, Mark; Fernández-Castilla,
Rogelio (2010) “The New Global Frontiers: Urbanization, Poverty and Environment in the 21st Century”,
Earthscan, U.S. /UK, 369 pgs. It is available digital book format (e-book) through CSUN Oviatt Library
as well. Note that the e-book can be access simultaneously by 3 patrons (only)!
Required Textbook: Levine, Myron A. (2015) “Urban Politics: Cities and Suburbs in a Global Age”,
Routledge, U.S., pp 412. It is available digital book format (e-book) through CSUN Oviatt Library as
well. Note that the e-book can be access simultaneously by 3 patrons (only)!
NOTE: Hardcopy of the required textbooks are available at CSUN’s Matador Bookstore. I was
informed by CSUN’s Oviat Library (reserves) that both textbooks are available in electronic format (e-
books). They can be accessed by up 3 students at once.
Electronic Reserve (eReserve): additional required readings and videos are available through CSUN
Oviatt Library’s e-reserve. To access the e-reserve materials use the password 9141 to login.
FAQ’s: This course is fully enrolled so for practical reasons student-professor communication should be
done primarily through weekly FAQ’s posted on Moodle and or in the “virtual” office hours held on
Thursdays 3-4 p; unless the student’s inquiry is a “personal” matter s/he should contact the professor
directly via email (euri@csun.edu/euripedes.de.oliveira@csun.edu). Students are welcome to address
each other’s questions concerning class readings and activities; however, it is not to be used as chat room.
The professor will be visiting FAQ’s periodically but not 24/7.
GRADE
Grades descriptions: A Outstanding; B Very Good; C Average; D Barely
Passing; F Failure.
100.00 93.00 A
92.99 90.00 A- Course requirements: Students are advised to visit the course (moodle)
weekly and prior to submit the assignments. Sources of required class
89.99 87.00 B+
materials include textbook, moodle weekly scheduled postings, and
86.99 83.00 B eReserve’s articles. Optional readings are NOT required, and are available
82.99 80.00 B- in a weekly basis. It is important that the student uses a browser
compatible with “moodle”. There have been cases that the student used
79.99 77.00 C+
the browser “Explorer” to submit a quiz but it did not work for her/him.
76.99 73.00 C Usually the students use either “Google Chrome” or “Firefox”.
72.99 70.00 C-
Credit/Non Credit: If the student is taking this class for Credit/Non Credit
69.99 67.00 D+
s/he should disclose it to the professor by the 2nd week of class the latest. It
66.99 60.00 D is her/his responsibility to know the passing grade for that (consult CSUN’s
59.99 % 0.00 % Fail
Adm & Records). The professor does abide by CSUN’s grading policy.
IMPORTANT: If the student is Weekly study plan: The course covers an array of interconnected urban
taking this class for Credit/Non
Credit, consult CSUN’s Adm subjects of developing countries that you may not be familiar with. The
Records for passing scores. semester will be over before you notice it. To avoid missing class
deadlines, I advise you to have a weekly study plan in place, and put your energy into preparing and
This study source was downloaded by 100000869052700 from CourseHero.com on 07-21-2023 06:12:02 GMT -05:00
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