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The class addresses networks in mixed neighborhoods. In the past decade, urban and migration studies have analyzed the relevance of the local context for establishing mixed networks. The particular focus was primarily the question whether socioeconomically disadvantaged residents might benefit from networks with middle class residents. While mixed neighborhoods do not automatically translate into mixed networks, research has shown that local institutions such as kindergartens, schools, playgrounds, or third places such as cafes or bakeries can facilitate the creation of mixed networks. Moreover, there might be key residents, also called brokers, who are well connected and hence help in bringing together people from diverse backgrounds.
In this class, we want to build on and advance the research on networks in mixed neighborhoods, starting from theory, developing a research question and methodology, and doing a small network study. Thereby, the students choose how they approach the question of networks and on what kind of neighborhood mix they want to focus on. Network analysis can be done both qualitatively and quantitatively. We will read and learn about both approaches, their advantages and disadvantages. The students can then choose which method they want to adopt for their small and exploratory study of social networks in a mixed neighborhood. Moreover, while ‘mix’ has so far usually focused on ethnicity or socioeconomic status, we can conceptualize it much broader and also include, for example, length of residence in the neighborhood (established and newcomers), age, or family status (with and without children). Here again, the students are free to choose on what dimension of mix they want to focus on.. |
