GEOG 453

Introduction to Power Theories

• Foucault's Perspective on Power

  • Focuses on microcircuits of power that influence personal expectations and self-discipline.

  • Highlights that individuals often exert the most significant pressure on themselves, exemplifying personal power dynamics.

Theorists Relevant to Urban Studies

• Importance of Different Theorists

  • Various theorists contribute to understanding urban environments.

  • Notable mention: Gramsci.

Gramsci's Concept of Hegemony

• Hegemony Description

  • Defined as a set of discourses and practices that gain provisional acceptance among people.

  • This acceptance is tentative, indicating that power dynamics can shift under certain conditions.

Urban Norms and Discourses

• Exploration of Urban Norms

  • Urban norms reflect the accepted behaviors and practices within different contexts.

  • Criation of norms through expectations and relationships that are inherently bound to specific places and spaces.

Example of Spatial Norms

• Behavior Suppression in Different Contexts

  • Example: Kneeling in a place of worship is accepted behavior, signifying how context shapes norms.

  • Suggests that identical actions can lead to vastly different receptions depending on the environment (e.g., a place of worship vs. another social setting).

Connection to Creswell's Readings

• Introduction to Creswell's Work

  • Assigned readings that explore norms, expectations, and spatial dynamics.

  • Builds on previous discussions about place and personal behavior.