Aaron Passell

Workload would be fair and doable if the grading scale wasn't based on vibes and feedback wasn't nonexistent.

DO NOT TAKE THIS COURSE. A lot of the content is interesting but it is never unpacked in a nuanced or engaging way. Too much of the course is left up to student discussion and when no one does the reading (which is often), you will get nothing out of the hours you are wasting in this course.

The workload is not that heavy, just one reading before each class and three 1500 wd papers spread throughout the semester. The first section of the class was mostly based on one book, and after that it was single articles. Since the class is so discussion-heavy, it's really important to do the readings, and hard to bs your way through them when you talk.

Urban sociology was a pretty good class. I'm an urban studies major so I already knew Professor Passell, and agree with him when he says the course shouldn't be called an intro class. Having a background in urban studies or sociology is definitely helpful in this class, though not a prerequisite. The class is split into three broad topics (neighborhoods, gentrification, and suburbs) and is well organized. It's pretty dependent on student participation, so if people didn't do the reading before class or didn't feel like talking it was slow. However when people were engaged it was really interesting and Professor Passell was great at directing the conversation.

Passell is a cool guy who teaches cool stuff. But he doesn't really teach this class like an intro class. A lot of his readings are super dense and discouraging. And his papers are super creative and requires you to hit all these marks that you ultimately miss and it is difficult to give him what he wants in regards to his papers.

A reasonably short essay for each of the three units; participation every class

This is a very well organized class with a reasonable and consistent workload. The course material provides a integrated and holistic way to view urban studies first understanding neighborhoods, then gentrification and finally environmental degradation. There is creative essay for each unit that are a refreshing approach. Passell provides A LOT of space for open discussion and wants us to engage with each other intellectually. However, it often times felt like he was using discussion to avoid giving a thorough, pre-planned lecture. The discussion often went in circles and led nowhere as a result. The participation grading system made it so everyone felt like they had to put in their two cents even if their answers were uninformed and badly crafted. Passell would entertain all claims, making the class feel impossibly long. Additionally, even though there was probably only around 30 students in the class, we barely received any feedback on our work or ideas. Grades were given with no comments. Despite the organized template of the class, everything else felt like it was kept to minimal effort. I would recommend this class only if you are truly enamored with sociology.

3 manageable papers, no midterm or final, participation.

Aaron Passell is one of the best professors at Barnard. He is SO erudite and knows the subject matter incredibly well. I personally prefer him in a seminar-type setting better, but I loved his Intro to Urban Sociology class. You definitely have to pay attention and do the readings, but it is a really great class for a prospective Urban Studies student.