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Urban Life in the European City, Ancient to Early Modern
CORE-UA 500
Spring 2024
Questions for Reflection Paper
Please choose one question and answer it.
When you cite assigned materials, you don’t need footnotes, a simple page reference in parentheses
is fine—e.g. (Mumford, p. 461). Since it’s material from class, it’s obvious to us where the
information is coming from. Avoid lengthy quotes (block quotes). It is perfectly sufficient to rely
on lectures and assigned readings. If you choose to incorporate other research materials (e.g. books
or articles from NYU libraries), make sure to cite them properly (in this case, use footnotes; no need
for a bibliography at the end).
Papers should be double-spaced, with page numbers, standard margins, and standard 12pt font. No
need to have a title page.
Please make sure your file name (or at least a header) includes your name, the essay number, and the
question you choose to answer.
Your answer should be no shorter than 3 and no longer than 4 pages. Papers are due as Word Doc or
PDF via Brightspace by the end of May 9. Check in with your TA if you have any particular questions
about logistics and submission.
Question 1
One of the most profound transformations in the early modern period was the Protestant Reformation. How
did the Reformation impact urban life? And how did Protestant and Catholic approaches to urban space
diverge? In your answer, you must give examples drawn from cities that were discussed in lectures and
readings. You are also expected to engage with at least one primary source (from either Week 13 or 14) as
well as one scholarly text that we read (either Muir from Week 12 or Friedrich’s chapter 3 from Week 13).
or
Question 2
The early modern period saw significant changes in the relationship between cities and the state. How did
these changes influence ideas and practices of urban life as well as the design of cities? In your answer,
describe three European cities that we encountered in lectures and assigned readings. (If you wish, you can
substitute your third European example with the case of Washington D.C.). Make sure to engage with one
primary source from either Week 14 or 15 as well as at least two of the scholarly texts from Week 14
(Cowan, Mumford, and Beik).
