Introduces students to foundational debates in the study of cities, urbanization, and urban planning and policy. Presents a broad interdisciplinary understanding of cities and urbanization, addressing questions related to the spatial development of cities and regions, governance and politics, economics, and social change. Offers students an opportunity to understand the connections between urban policy research and social theory including concepts from human geography, sociology, urban planning, economics, and political science. Students read and discuss seminal texts, including classical concepts in social theory and contemporary debates on topics such as globalization, segregation, gentrification, sustainability, inequality, and questions of race and gender in urban policy.