The twenty-first century is very likely to be an urban century, with more people around the world residing in metropolitan regions than in any other form of human settlement. This urbanization is taking place in both the global North and the global South. Its implications are widespread: from environmental challenges to entrenched patterns of segregation to new configurations of politics and social movements. The Global Metropolitan Studies Initiative is concerned with this urban condition. This multidisciplinary endeavor brings together many faculty and supports research. It is one of a handful of strategic initiatives selected by the UC Berkeley campus to mark a new generation of scholarship and to consolidate an emerging academic field.
The Designated Emphasis (DE) in Global Metropolitan Studies (GMS) is for UC Berkeley PhD students interested in urban and metropolitan issues across the globe. The objective of the GMS Designated Emphasis is to support multidisciplinary doctoral-level education and research on global metropolitan issues through a wide range of course offerings as well as through participation in seminars and conferences organized by GMS. The DE provides students with a context for the interdisciplinary exchange of ideas and development of research, opportunities for research funding, and a Designated Emphasis certification. Students applying to GMS may come from any discipline across campus.
Undergraduate Program
There is no undergraduate program in Global Metropolitan Studies.
Terms offered: Spring 2025, Spring 2024, Spring 2023
The investigation of modern cities presents great challenges for social and urban theory. This seminar addresses these challenges through a multidisciplinary perspective that structures the discussion in terms of a history of metropolitan transformations, global urbanization, and the production and regulation of cities as spaces of contestation and creativity. Global Metropolitan Studies: Introduction to Theories, Histories, and Methods: Read More [+]
Rules & Requirements
Prerequisites: Ph.D. student in Global Metropolitan Studies Designated Emphasis, or consent of instructor
Hours & Format
Fall and/or spring: 15 weeks - 3 hours of lecture per week
Additional Details
Subject/Course Level: Global Metropolitan Studies/Graduate
Terms offered: Spring 2025, Spring 2024, Spring 2023
This core seminar for the Designated Emphasis in Global Metropolitan Studies offers an in-depth examination of contemporary research topics, data and methods, recent research findings, and challenges in specific subfields of international urban studies. Emphasis will be placed upon the discussion and improvement of students' dissertation chapters. Research Seminar in Comparative Urban Studies: Read More [+]
Rules & Requirements
Prerequisites: Ph.D. candidate in Global Metropolitan Studies Designated Emphasis or consent of instructor
Repeat rules: Course may be repeated for credit without restriction.
Hours & Format
Fall and/or spring: 15 weeks - 3 hours of seminar per week
Additional Details
Subject/Course Level: Global Metropolitan Studies/Graduate
Terms offered: Spring 2021, Fall 2013
This course will consider the political and institutional environment in which efforts to address metropolitan problems are developed, the financial and institutional vehicles used to provide services of different types, and the role of political parties and other forms of political organization in the development and allocation of services. Emphasis will be placed upon fertile areas for research within the social sciences. Subnational and Urban Politics in Low and Middle-Income Countries: Read More [+]
Rules & Requirements
Prerequisites: Graduate student standing
Hours & Format
Fall and/or spring: 15 weeks - 2-3 hours of seminar per week
Additional Details
Subject/Course Level: Global Metropolitan Studies/Graduate
Terms offered: Fall 2024, Fall 2022, Fall 2021
This course is animated by the question: what is global and urban about inequalities? It has two aims. First, it focuses on the historical-geographies of globalization and cities, and unpacks how cities are embedded within wider networks of capitalism. Second, it explores the many meanings and political projects around decolonizing the city, and looks at at unlearning, anti-imperialism, abolition, epistemic justice as concrete actions to combat global urban inequalities. Global Urban Inequalities: Read More [+]
Hours & Format
Fall and/or spring: 15 weeks - 3 hours of seminar per week
Additional Details
Subject/Course Level: Global Metropolitan Studies/Graduate
Terms offered: Fall 2015, Fall 2014, Fall 2013
Individual study or research program; must be worked out with GMS faculty in advance of signing up for credits. Independent Study or Research: Read More [+]
Rules & Requirements
Prerequisites: Restricted to GMS Designated Emphasis Ph.D. students
Repeat rules: Course may be repeated for credit without restriction.
Hours & Format
Fall and/or spring: 15 weeks - 3 hours of independent study per week
Summer: 8 weeks - 5.5 hours of independent study per week
Additional Details
Subject/Course Level: Global Metropolitan Studies/Graduate
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