1000 word example

Urban Sociology

Essay Question #2

Due: See Course Schedule

BACKGROUND: Essay #2 requires you to summarize and apply what you have learned so far in this course. Remember,

the essay takes the place of an exam. So, to do well on this essay, you will need to rely heavily on the

materials presented in class and in the readings.

THE ASSIGNMENT: Based on material covered in this course and material you collect from your own research on a Third Word

megacity, your essay will outline key issues in Third World urbanization and particular issues confronted

in one Third World megacity. You will accomplish this by answering the following questions:

1. How does urbanization in the Third World differ from the urbanization in the First World ? In answering

this question, you will want to outline numeric trends on the scale of Third World urbanization. You will

also want to discuss the factors that influence urbanization in the Third World and how those factors vary

from those in the First World. Finally, you will want to discuss important social, economic, and

environmental problems in Third World urbanization.

2. What are issues surrounding urbanization in a Third World megacity of interest to you? In answering

this question you will first select a metropolis from the following List. Figure 2 on page 4 of Planet of

Slums provides a similar list to select from. Next, you will describe the megacity and discuss how and

why its population has grown so rapidly (statistics on population growth through time will help). Finally,

you will want to discuss important social, economic, and environmental problems that confront your

megacity (discuss more specific problems than you outline in response question #1). The book The

Challenge of Slums provides examples of case studies of slums in numerous cities and may serve as a

useful resource of answering question #2. A PDF version of The Challenge of Slums is posted on

Possible Cities: Mexico City Mumbai Sao Paulo Delhi Shanghai Calcutta Dhaka Buenos Aires

Karachi Cairo Rio De Janero Beijing Manila Istanbul

GRADING : Your essays will be graded based on the grading criteria listed on the backside of this page. Essays will be

docked 10 points per day late. I will only accept late essay assignments for full credit in the event of a

documented medical or family emergency. If you do encounter an emergency, you must notify me

immediately. Documentation could include a note from a physician, hospital admittance slip, or

correspondence from an academic advisor or the Dean of Students.

FORMAT : Your essay should be 4 pages long, not including your bibliography (a cover sheet is not necessary). It

should be in 12-point font, double-spaced, and with 1 inch margins. Writing less than 4 pages will hurt

your grade. You must use the APA system for references. This system is described in the Syllabus and the

"Paper Writing Guide", which are posted on Blackboard. You should cite your sources frequently, even if

you keep using the same source. Citing frequently is always better than plagiarizing. All direct quotes

must be cited with a page number. At least 4 sources must be cited to receive full credit. Remember that

citations for the texts are listed in the Syllabus. Good essays have an introduction where you review

what your will be doing, a body where you discuss key points (the use of subheadings can help structure

your essay), and a conclusion where you provide a brief review and a closing statement. This essay is an

important part of your grade so devote adequate time to it. If you have trouble writing essays you can

receive writing assistance at the University Writing Center (see syllabus for more information).

Good Luck!