As I announced last week, our midterm exam will be coming up in two weeks -- Tuesday, Oct. 21st, to be precise. In preparation for that I am going to give you an opportunity to make up some of the questions which will appear on that test. This family activity is described below:
FAMILY ACTIVITY: MAKING UP EXAM QUESTIONS: I will give the families some time in class this week, beginning on Thurs. 10/9, to brainstorm some midterm exam questions. I will also give you some time next Tuesday, 10/14 to confer with your family members. I want each family to come up with THREE SHORT-ANSWER questions (and answers) based on anything we've covered in class since the beginning of the term. This would include: lecture notes including notes and passages posted on this blog, any handouts, and however far we get in Heat Wave by the end of next week. You will need to come to some consensus on your three best questions, because I WILL ONLY ACCEPT THREE QUESTIONS FROM EACH FAMILY. I will then look them over and select at least ONE question from each family. However, for each additional question I accept, that family will earn a bonus point. So, it is possible to earn 2 bonus points for this exercise, and there will be the added advantage of knowing more of the questions on the test. ALL QUESTIONS (AND ANSWERS) MUST BE SUBMITTED AS A COMMENT ON THIS BLOG POST BY 1PM, WEDNESDAY 10/15 -- NO EXCEPTIONS. I want to be able to look over your questions and make my selections by Thursday 10/16, when I wil set aside some class time for review. This activity is worth 3 points.
REMINDERS: Keep in mind that we will be making a transition to Heat Wave this week, most likely on Tuesday. For the sake of class and your essay which is due in a week, you should try to read through Chapter 2 this week.
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Mid Term Exam Questions
1.What are 3 reasons that influenced ancient cultures to organized cities?
a.Accommodation of large populations. Nomadic groups could no longer spread out safely without running into other groups’ territories.
b.To live the “good life.” A want for religion, luxury, art, communication, and education was developed and flourish within the social networks of the cities.
c.Security from other cultures. Shortly after the cities were formed an army was constructed for organized protection.
2.Give examples of how Portland, Oregon has avoided the negative aspects of sprawl.
State laws were passed to prevent the destruction of natural surroundings, including park spaces within the city. Portland drew lines around the city, banning sprawl beyond the city limits in order to force homes and jobs to be compactly built, making them serviceable to bus lines and taxis. Roads and parking lots were strictly managed to keep as many cars off the roads as possible. Regulations on building size and location keep large businesses from taking over the city.
3.Discuss 3 defining characteristics of cities according to Worth’s essay “Urbanism as a Way of Life.”
a.Large Population Size correlated with diversity. Establishes a need for formal control and a legal system. Secondary groups, such as coworkers, form relationships based on utility and rationality.
b.Density intensifies effects of population size. More specialization causes us to judge people on more superficial things. Leads to anti-social behavior, large capacity of people packed in a small area leads to conflicts and fights.
c.Cultural & Social Heterogeneity. Antisocial behavior. Depersonalization. A focus on commercial masses causes a neglect of social relationships.
11. Name one of the demographics that suffered most in the Chicago heat wave, according to Eric Klinenberg, and why.
The elderly demographic was one of the ones that suffered most. In many circumstances, they were isolated, fearing for their own safety and not venturing out for support during the disaster. They were the ones who needed help the most, but the social support system (in regular times as well) was not sufficient to ensure their care. Many of them don't live near their families, and don't make enough money to afford sufficient housing with AC.
2. Discuss Simmel's views in "The Metropolis & Mental Life."
Simmel's views operated on a smaller, more psychological scale. He discusses how the city environment represents an intensification of nervous stimuli that leads to psychological and physiological pressure and change. People develop traits such as rationality, increased time-consciousness, sophistication, calculation, and a blasé attitude (social reserve/detachment). Simmel would argue that this blasé attitude could lead to an abandoning of some social responsibility for fellow citizens.
3. Name and briefly explain the three ways urban sprawl is damaging.
- Urban sprawl is environmentally damaging, because it encompasses much land and natural resources. Also, the amount of pollution produced by commuting traffic to cities is harmful.
- Urban sprawl is economically damaging. Although people pay less money to live in the suburbs, tax money actually pays for all of the additional expenses for roads, utilities, and schools. The cost of running vehicles is also something to consider.
- Urban sprawl harms city life/culture. With so many people moving to the suburbs, much retail shops follow the population to increase sales. This is damaging to small, independently-owned shops in the city. Historical landmarks and buildings also suffer because there is not enough tax money to preserve them. Many of the lower classes are also stuck in the city with minimal social support because of limited tax revenues.
1. Name three problems created by Sprawl. A: pollution, financial, loss of historic treasures.
2. Describe change from mechanical solidarity to organic solidarity described by Durkheim. A: Mechanical were all on same thought process and organic they became dependent upon one another because of division of labor.
3. What are three traits of urbanites? A: rational, calculating, and time conscious.
Definately had these done in class on Tuesday, simply neglected to meet the deadline. I apologize to Proff. and my family.
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