Instruction
Instructions for Research Proposal: Here in one or two pages you should propose a research question for your final research paper:
*You pick and write about an issue that you find interesting/concerning in an urban area or neighborhood – (immigration) You should explain briefly how this issue might be impacting the urban area that you are going to explore and will present a proposal as to how to research this issue (to later develop it into a research paper for the end of the course).
More specifically, to write this proposal you have to follow the following basic steps: (1) you have to identify a research idea, and then, (2) review past research about the topic you picked ((at this step, some google search and an investigation of our textbook reading list will be necessary –skimming through a sample of readings and picking a couple of them as a reference is enough)), (3) determine the feasibility of your study, (4) make a formal statement of the research questions. It is essential that you develop your research proposal before conducting a research study. This will force you to carefully spell out the rationale for your research study, and it will make you think about and specify each step of your study. Here are the major sections for a typical research proposal:
-Title
-A statement of the research topic.
-A statement of the research problem(s)
-A brief summary of the prior literature (after reading 4-5 articles about the topic, summarize them in one paragraph).
-Explanation of the purpose of the study
-Clear presentation of the research question(s)
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Instructions for Mini-Essay Questions (60 points): You should answer
each question carefully. The average length of the mini- essays for each answer should be around 2-3 pages (12 font, Times New Roman). However, it is OK to write less (or more) as long as you present substantial arguments in a clear and concise manner. Make sure your responses are legible.
MINI-ESSAY QUESTIONS:
(1) Explain the Political Economy Approach to Urban Economics. What are its main contributions to the existing studies on the field of urban economics? What are its differences from the mainstream urban economics? Throughout your essay, refer to the changes in political, economic and cultural conditions that led to the transformation of cities – as they are the very basis for different urban economics approaches. Use at least 2 authors’ arguments in your essay. Rather than summarizing their theories & concepts in detail, try to demonstrate how these theories and concepts in general help to create and sustain a broad Political Economy approach to Urban Economics. (30 points)
Use articles:
Textbook (Reconstructing Urban Economics, Chapter 2) David Harvey [capital accumulation] Molotch&Logan[city as growth machine]
John Friedman [world citiefgs]
Saskia Sassen [global cities]
(2) What are the sources of economic growth in urban centers? What determines the economic growth and size of a city? Take New York City as an example of almost unbroken triumph for economic growth and development. What explains New York’s steady success (except a few exceptional moments such as the Great Depression, 9/11, coronavirus pandemic)? Use and cite related readings in your response. (30 points)