The primary objective of this course is to encourage students to critically consider their understanding of the society in which they live. Students are introduced to different sociological perspectives that have been used to describe and analyse aspects of contemporary urban society and the way in which the sociological imagination can inform an understanding of urban life. Of central concern are the origins, theoretical traditions and contemporary debates of sociology. Issues of social equity, social class, technological change, ideal and imagined communities are canvassed underpinned by an interest in the role of planning in managing change and community development. The course is structured around a combination of lectures, weekly readings, and occasional audio and visual materials, with a variety of assessment tasks.