This course explores how digital platforms are reshaping urban and rural geographies. Theories of city and country, the history and current state of platforms, and connections between technology and social hierarchies are the foundation for this course. We examine smart cities and rural data centers, logistics landscapes, gig work and ‘the hustle economy’, property technologies and gentrification, and digitized policing and carceral geographies. Students will critically reflect on notions of city and country and the role of technology in producing urban-rural landscapes, examine the uneven socio-spatial consequences of technology, and reflect on how to build digital geographies that refuse domination, extraction, and predatory inclusion.

Online, synchronous.

Credit Restrictions

Students will receive no credit for GEOG 145 after completing GEOG 145, or GEOG 145. A deficient grade in GEOG 145 may be removed by taking GEOG 145, or GEOG 145.

Repeat Rules

Course is not repeatable for credit.