Anthro 1913 - Ethnographies of Cities and the Urban

Dr. Elisa Tamburo

M 3-5:45pm

The course aims at introducing students to the ethnographic study of cities and the urban environment. The course is divided into two parts: the first will introduce theoretical approaches, derived from sociology and philosophy, that have been foundational for the study of the urban in anthropology. These include the early sociological studies of the Chicago School of Symbolic Interactionism, phenomenological approaches to the study of space and place, as well as works in the tradition of urban critical theory. The second part of the course delves into topics which have been object of study for contemporary anthropologist engaging with cities through their urban ethnographies. We will focus on specific themes starting from planning and dwelling in the city to understand urban phenomena such as segregation, gentrification, and displacement; we will consider the issue of migration and diversity in the city, and the role of urban infrastructure in shaping citizenship and differentiated belonging to the city; we will talk about mobilization vis à vis the state, and lastly reflect on the relationship between the urban environment and climate change.