LPOL 602 - Work, Culture, and Politics in New York City (3 Credits)

Prerequisite: None
This course is designed to provide an interactive overview of the constantly changing worlds of work, culture and politics in New York City. We will learn about where New Yorkers live and work, how specific urban communities develop, and assess how the cultural and political institutions of New York serve the city’s diverse population. The class uses an historical frame to situate the contemporary city, spending equal time on past and present inquiries. Field trips to significant spaces, and visits to and from NYC organizers, policy makers, artists and scholars will take place on a near weekly basis. Throughout, we will learn about New York’s key industries, trends in immigration, economic development, public policy, public and private space, popular culture, urban social identity, community organizations, and labor’s contributions to building the city’s institutions.