Sociology 295: Urban Sociology

Lab Assignment #2: The Impact of Residential Segregation

Segregation is an enduring feature of our urban landscape. In the words of the great Chicago writer and artist Eve Ewing, “there is no segregation fairy;” segregation is built and maintained by macrostructural forces and by the choices we make in our everyday lives. In this lab assignment, you will analyze racial and economic segregation in a city (from the list below) using data from the Racial Dot Map, an on-line map of segregation in the U.S, and an interactive tool on economic segregation.

Data Sources:

http://demographics.coopercenter.org/racial-dot-map/Go to: Access map, and then add map labels in the upper left hand corner of map.

(If you are unfamiliar with the city you choose, you may want to google another map of the city to familiarize yourself with its boundaries.)

http://www.pewsocialtrends.org/income-segregationPotential cities:

Los Angeles, CA

Philadelphia, PA

Atlanta, GA

Chicago, IL

Your essay should address the following questions (in analytic/narrative form):

Using the Racial Dot map, describe patterns in the segregation of different groups by race in your chosen city. At what spatial level (neighborhood, city, suburb) do you observe racial segregation? How does racial segregation in the boundaries of city compare to racial segregation outside the city? Drawing on class readings, explain what might account for these patterns, and any differences across these patterns, in racial segregation.

Using Pew’s interactive tool linked above, describe patterns of economic segregation in your chosen city. At what spatial level (neighborhood, city, suburb) do you observe economic segregation? How does economic segregation in the city compare to economic segregation outside the city?

Compare the patterns in economic and racial segregation you identified in your city. (Hint: Are they 1:1 or is it more complex? Is racial segregation nested within economic segregation? Or the other way around?) Drawing on our readings on segregation, employment, and joblessness, explain whether you feel race or economic status is a greater organizing factor in your chosen city. If you feel it is too difficult to disentangle them, provide an explanation for why using class readings. Ground your discussion of these reasons in the specific context of your chosen city (for examples, its history, economy, industry, culture, etc).

This is an analytical paper (3-5 pages types, Times New Roman, 12 pt font, 1 inch margins, double-spaced, stapled!). You must draw on academic theories and resources, and provide the appropriate references. Be sure to cite the map appropriately. Your essay should have a strong introduction, claims and supporting evidence, and a conclusion.

A hardcopy of the assignment is due on Tuesday November 7th, 2017, at the beginning of class. Papers sent over e-mail will not be accepted! Papers submitted late will receive a 1/3 letter grade deduction for each day the assignment is late (e.g. an A paper submitted one day late will receive an A-, two days late, a B+, and so on).