Social Sciences Taster Lecture- 'Sociology and the City'

The growth of cities is one of the defining features of what sociologists call modernity - we're more likely to live in one than ever before and more likely to have our lives pulled towards them even if we live outside. But what impact does city living have on its inhabitants? Is the city a noble, civilizing environment, or a place of chaos and disorder? And what role do features like homeless spikes and graffiti play in battles over the values represented by the city landscape? Come along and debate these questions and others - by the end you might be wishing you could escape to the country.