Madrid: Faces of the Changing European City

Within the last twenty years, many European cities have become more environmentally vulnerable, increasingly subject to volatile financial investments, and more interconnected and diverse but unequal. One of the most important European capitals currently in recovery from the recent financial crisis, Madrid, is a perfect case study for this changing paradigm.

Students will be introduced to an interdisciplinary course on economic and political shifts in Europe. This course also explores contemporary politics and history to aid students in gaining important literacy and understanding with urban studies debates. Students will use Madrid as a case study to learn about the ways local citizens relate to the city’s shifts on social and personal levels as well as the overall issues facing local communities. Participants of this program will be taught about how Madrid is both distinct and representative of an urban European experience.

This course features plenty of excursions around the city including visits to the “red belt” of industrial activist suburbs, immigrant neighborhoods, and squatter settlements. These sites are not explored through visits as a tourist but are important to understanding the recent political and urban history of Madrid.

Participants of this program will develop their understanding of Madrid through a final research paper, short essays, and weekly reactions. This provides important contextual information on the country and city that will impact future growth and partnerships.

English