HTST 354: Cities in Global History - Course Introduction and Urban History Basics

Course Overview: This course provides an introduction to urban history.
Key Topics for First Class: Course outline, introduction to urban history basics, what is a city, and problems associated with studying cities in world history.

Instructor: Dr. Frank Towers
- Office: SS 610
- Email: ftowers@ucalgary.ca
- Email Response Policy: Emails are read and responded to Monday-Friday, 9 am – 6 pm.
- Office Hours: Tuesdays 11 am – 12 pm and Thursdays 2 pm – 3 pm.
Graduate Assistant Teacher (GAT): Aidan Campbell
- Email: aidan.campbell2@ucalgary.ca
- Office Hour: To be announced (TBA).

Learning Outcomes: A blend of content knowledge and skill development, fostered by curiosity and focus.
Format: Lecture and discussion, incorporating audio, images, and text.
New Media Environment and Attention Span Challenges:
- Average time spent on a single screen has significantly decreased:
  - In 2004: 2.5 minutes.
  - In 2012: 75 seconds.
  - In 2023: 47 seconds.
- This trend is not limited to the internet; it also applies to media like 6-second commercials and 4-second film shots.
- There is a habituation to interruptions, which comes with a cost to focus.
Remedies for Attention Challenges:
- Take notes on paper.
- Turn off notifications and close unnecessary tabs.
- Proactively consider immediate goals for the next hour.
Course Etiquette:
- Students must not interfere with the learning of others.
- Feedback and communication should be professional, respectful, and courteous.

Required Book: Carl Nightingale, Earthopolis: A Biography of our Urban Planet (2022).
- Availability: Can be purchased from online booksellers and the University Bookstore.
- Electronic Copies: Available for free through the University Library.
Additional Reading: Posted on D2L under “assigned reading.”
Strategy for Reading History:
- Identify the main argument.
- Understand the narrative or “plot.”
- Analyze how the author supports their ideas or tells the story.
- Avoid excessive focus on minor details, as history is not solely about dates.
- Recommended Resource: Caleb McDaniel, “How to Read for History” (2008), available on D2L.

Exams: All exams are in-class and in an essay format.
- Question Choice: Students will be offered a choice of questions related to course themes.
- Content Coverage: The first exam covers material from September 2 to October 2. The second exam covers material from October 3 to November 4. The final exam covers material from November 5$ nominally to the end of the term.
- Review: Exam content will be reviewed prior to each examination.
- Assessment Objectives: Exams test understanding of key facts and concepts in urban history, and the ability to synthesize them into a persuasive analytical argument.
Grade Breakdown:
- First Exam: 30% of course grade, due October 2.
- Second Exam: 35% of course grade, due November 4.
- Final Exam: 35$$% of course grade, during exam week (exact date and time TBA).