About Ancient and Modern Cities

This course will trace the development of cities and urban centers from the Ancient Period through the present era. We will examine how political, economic, and social institutions influenced the structure of urban centers and shaped the built environment in cities across the world. In turn, we will analyze how the structure and design of cities influenced the development of civic institutions. The course will be structured chronologically. Each unit will include representative primary-source documents that illustrate important overarching themes, such as the origins of cities in the Near and Far East, the development of complex urban environments in ancient Greece and Rome, the influence of religion and trade on city growth in the Medieval Period, the impact of the Industrial Revolution on urban centers in Western Europe and the United States, and the changing face of the city in the Post-Industrial Era. By the end of the course, you will understand how cities have developed over the past six millennia and better appreciate the dynamic relationship between geography, political and social institutions, and the built environment.