Urban Governance OpenCourseWare: A Free Graduate Study Course by MIT on Urban Governance

Published Jan 24, 2009

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Discover the many institutions and movements that push development, resource distribution, social relations and daily life in cities around the world. 'Urban Governance,' offered in OpenCourseWare format from MIT, looks at the political, social, economic and legal views of governance and how they limit action on vital urban issues. This free course information is recommended for graduate students in Urban Studies and offers a good understanding of the multifaceted and complex work of urban governance.

Urban Governance: Course Specifics

Degree Level Free Audio Video Downloads
Graduate Yes No No Yes

Lectures/Notes Study Materials Tests/Quizzes
Yes Yes No

Urban Governance: Course Description

Cities have become the central front on how the United States has changed and will change in regard to local governments, institutions and the people that play a vital part in its development. This OpenCourseWare offered by MIT's Department of Urban Studies and Planning begins with a look at the legal side of city government, with in-depth analysis of how the law provides the rules that guide political, economic and social decisions. While reading legal literature, students will take a close look at how American cities have changed over time, understand the shifts in connection with federal and state governments, analyze public and private views of the city and discuss the relationship between race and jurisdictions. Students will then learn about the differences in government institutions between states, analyzing their politics and identifying the special interests that gain access and how this influences decision-making. This course also identifies how various social groups and community organizations play a role in connecting people to politics by identifying key social issues. Then, examine the major role that economics plays in politics. You could learn how economics can become the most dominant influence in governmental decisions on a local level from the recommended readings of this course, which MIT instructor Deborah Kobes taught in 2007.

Brief lecture notes and a reading list are included in this free online course. If you are interested in getting background on all the aspects of local governance, visit the urban government course page.

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