Reading Assignments
Reading Links
last revised
08/22/08
"The
potential giant of the twenty-first century is China. In fact, China is
crucial to globalization. If China continues to embrace market reforms,
globalization will be unstoppable."
As we traveled the
Plains, it became clearer that we did not control the meaning of our The Poppers
"The living things of this Earth are our resources and life-support systems. Every bite of food you eat comes from living things. Every sip of water you drink had been cleansed by living things. The oxygen in your every breath comes from living things. Humankind is utterly dependent on biological diversity." Elliott A. Norse. Ancient Forests of the Pacific Northwest |
Plan 740http://aalto.arch.ksu.edu/jwkplan/ruralsem/RURAL.HTM
COURSE PURPOSE &
REQUIREMENTS There are no studio projects, term papers or other "end projects" required in this course. Readings, research, lectures and the creation of topics and presentations comprise the requirements for successful course completion. Attendance is a major part of Plan 740; it is difficult to successfully complete a course based on lecture, discussion and presentations if you are absent. Since this is a 700 level graduate course, only two grades are given: an A for excellent work, or for "very good work" that shows continuous effort and improvement throughout the semester; and, a B for "good work" normally expected of a student in a professional program. There is no "C" for average in today's world of grade inflation, and I really would prefer that you take another elective course if you want to give an average effort. I ask that you observe five principles throughout this class - and I include myself in these principles:
1. Show up to class
- show up on time. PREFACE
In the United States today about 75 percent of us live in what the U.S. Census Bureau considers an urban or metropolitan area, but this only hides the true nature of the urban - rural continuum. Actually, a little less than half our population in the U.S. lives in what the residents consider to be a small town or rural area. Perceptually, Manhattan is a "big" small town to most that live here and few inhabitants would venture to say that "they live in a city." In most parts of the world a community the size of Manhattan would be called a "country town." In comparison, most residents of Lawrence tend to think of their community as a small city lying on the edge of the zone of metropolitan influence or - as planners might say - the zone of emergence. Our general perception of a rural, small town is a sleepy community deep in the countryside; a village shelter, services, and facilities surrounded by farms and crossroad settlements. Its attractions, if any, lie in its spacious amenities, freedom from street crime, and traditionally held values of work ethic and service. It will be neat and trim in appearance, probably have a town square, several good places to eat, and extolled for its virtue of "being a good place to raise children." In actuality, the countryside is exceptionally diverse and our stereotypical community is as likely to be mean looking, ragged, lacking in hardly any redeeming virtue other than cheaper housing, and quite possibly not a very safe place to live- beset with domestic violence, theft, juvenile crime, and property damage. It may be rich in amenities, catering to those seeking vacations and recreation, or historicity. On the other hand, it may exist in supreme isolation where even the nearest trip for auto parts is at least three to four hours away, or more. Its base may still be agrarian, although this is unlikely given that the total numbers of family farms steadily declines. More likely the economic base of the community is diverse and built around services, rural industry, and retirement incomes. If you plan on moving to a small town or rural county you will be three times as likely to settle in a metro-adjacent county, an amenities rich county, or a place that derives a substantial portion of its economic base from retirees than you will to move to an agricultural dependent county. The odds are that your town will not really be a town at all - a name place that is located between towns as the growth sprawls outward through farm and range land. You will enjoy the amenities provided by your area, but you will be frustrated by the rapidly increasing costs of services. Although you favor the idea of remoteness, you will be frustrated by the task of going about the daily process of living that requires up to 11 trips per day for goods and services. In short, you have now arrived in the new rural America - a place where towns are not dying and business is booming - that is rejuvenating at a rapid pace. THE COURSE DESCRIPTION This course is a comprehensive survey of the nature and persistence of rural areas and small towns. Our focus is on North America, but international readings and materials will be interspersed throughout the semester. Our purpose is to read and discuss in-depth the components of rural area life today and how that life as has throughout the 20th Century. We will investigate the diversity of rural areas - both deep and near metropolitan - and question where this diversity and change will lead us in the next 50 years. Major topics will include: I. The Nature and Place of Rural Communities. II. Change and Diversity in Non-Metropolitan North America. III. The Socio-Economic Nature of Rural Areas. IV. Planning Change in Small Communities Through New Technologies. V. The Zone of Emergence - The Metropolitan Fringe. VI. Comparative - International Rural Areas. VII. Sprawl - What is It!
What does it mean! Is it bad!
Course Requirements
1. Meaningful participation in class discussions. Students
that will not participate in the course cannot reasonably expect to receive
a grade of "A" in the course. Example of a student presentation
here. and
here
3. Presentation of the term project. The presentation is
graded on composition, organization, content, and appearance.
4. Grades on written and reading/presentation
assignments.
Textbooks
Flora, Cornelia B & Jan L. Flora, Rural Communities
Legacy and Change, 2d. Ed 2004 by Westview Press
Blakely, E. & Ted Bradshaw, Planning Local Economic
Development (3rd ed.) Sage Publications 2002
Syllabus and Readings
NOTE: Do not try to run the PowerPoint Files
from my server. "Right click" and "save as" on your local drive.
August 22 - September
5
1. Introduction
Part 1 &
Imagery of Small Towns and Rural Areas
- Keller, J.
(Nov. 1st)
Readings: None
The Meaning and Foundation of the Community:
Sociological and Cultural Underpinnings
September - The Classics
Readings: None - Review PowerPoint Lectures
September 13 & 15 - The "Soft" Perspective: The
Sociological Image
PART B -
Transformations and Market Drivers
Edge Cities or Edge Suburbs
4.
Migration of the Older Population - 1995 - 2000 (READING -PDF)
6. Guess Who's Coming to Town? The Big Box and the End Of
Life As You Know It BRAD
PART 4 - Opportunities and Liabilities
1.
Tourism Characteristics: The Good, The Bad, and
the Ugly - J KELLER
3. New Urbanism, Smart Growth and Decline in Community Planning - Research
Report -
One presentations per class
period. Presentations will start on late October/early November. Your course grade is highly
dependent on this presentation in lieu of paper and final exam. Presentation
must be no longer than 30 minutes and can be no larger than 20 PowerPoint
slides - NOT including graphics, photos, maps, charts & graphics.
Presentation graded on (1) content and relation to class subject; (2)
Logical consistency, organization and flow; (3) Look, feel, appeal of
presentation. The presentation will be given without interruption from class
members and especially the instructor. Questions will follow the presentation.
Files are password protected. Contact me if you forgot the password.
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