Changing Community Patterns

Robert Putnam's Bowling Aloneexamines the social and political habits of Americans in the 20th century. Ray Oldenburg's The Great Good Place defined the role of "third places" (not-office, not-home) in American communities. How relevant are his observations as we move into the 21st century? How have online communities reflected, replaced, or changed community behavior?

Readings on Changing Community

• Putam, Robert D. (2000) Bowling Alone: The Collapse and Revival of American Community. New York: Simon & Schuster. (Preface and Chapters 1, 8, 9 are all available in PDF via myCourses, or in hard copy from me in class on Tuesday)
• Oldenburg, Ray. (1999) The Great Good Place: Cafes, Coffee Shops, Bookstores, Bars, Hair Salons and Other Hangouts at the Heart of a Community. 2nd edition. New York: Marlowe & Company. (Preface and Chapters 1-3 are all available in PDF via myCourses, or in hard copy from me in class on Tuesday)