Analyzing & Exploring the City: Barcelona

Barcelona, the capital of Catalunya, is one of the largest and most cosmopolitan cities in Spain. It is globally renowned for its art and architecture, possessing no fewer than nine UNESCO-designated 'world heritage' sites, and has become a major destination for global tourism. This interdisciplinary course examines the emergence of this elegant, creative city as Spain's gateway to the Mediterranean, and analyzes its history and evolution since its foundation by the Romans. Students will explore the role of population dynamics, industrial change, and globalization in shaping the city and the lives of its inhabitants, examining the ways in which the interplay of urbanism, politics and society has addressed challenges of social, political, and technological change in the past and today. The course also traces the changing nature of Barcelona's relationship with the rest of Spain, Europe, and the wider world.

The course is cross-listed with CUL345BCN.