GEO 201 Urban diversity

INSTRUCTIONS: Answer the following essay question. Your answer will be graded on: 1) the strength of your argument, 2) your familiarity with the course material, and 3) the depth and breadth of the supporting evidence you use to build your argument (40 points).

PROMPT: In the second half of the course, we have examined the development of urban reform movements and urban planning (Module 5), and continued to examine the history of urban development through the automobile era (Module 6) and the post-WW2 era of urban decline and suburban sprawl (Module 7). Drawing on course material, including lectures, readings and videos, respond in a well-written essay to the following prompt: How has the federal government positively and negatively influenced American urban development since the early 20th C (~1920s on)?

Your response should be approximately 250-500 words in length and must include specific support from the following sources: Module 6 and 7 lectures, the reading by Rothstein “Own your own home” and the video: The Myth of Pruitt-Igoe. You can use any additional course material if you choose to do so. You do not have to cite any course material; just be sure to identify it in your essay (for example: In the Rothstein reading,…). It is up to you to define what “positive” and “negative” mean when evaluating the government’s influence. Be sure to support your statements and your perspective with specific examples from the course material. You do not have to include all possible evidence, just enough to answer the question and support the statements you make, and show a reasonably broad knowledge of the material.