Question 1

In her landmark study, The Death and Life of Great American Cities, Jane Jacobs emphasized that for a city to be successful…

Accepted Answer

Jane Jacobs emphasized the importance of creating a sense of safety and security in a city, especially among strangers. She argued that this could be achieved through various factors like mixed-use neighborhoods, eyes on the street, and diverse and active public spaces. Her approach centered on empowering local communities and recognizing the value of informal social networks and interactions in shaping the urban fabric. Therefore, option A aligns with her philosophy and overall thesis. The other options (B, C, D) are contradicted by Jacobs' work and vision for successful cities.

Question 2

Jacobs's notion of "eyes on the street" emphasizes the importance of ________ as a basic defense against crime.

Accepted Answer

Jacobs believed that informal social control, such as the presence of neighbors and passersby who could observe and intervene in suspicious or criminal behavior, was a crucial defense against crime in urban areas. She argued that the physical design of streets and buildings could either promote or hinder this type of social control, and that planning should take into account the importance of creating vibrant, active public spaces. While police may play a role in reducing crime, Jacobs believed that relying solely on law enforcement was not an effective or sustainable approach. "Professional urban planners" and "sentimental history" are not relevant to Jacobs's idea of "eyes on the street."

Question 3

Jane Jacobs believes that the successful street is…

Accepted Answer

According to Jane Jacobs, a successful street is self-policing, which means the residents and users of the street keep an eye on what's going on and actively intervene in situations that are potentially harmful or disruptive. This creates a sense of ownership and responsibility for the street, making it a safer and more vibrant place. The presence of the police is not necessarily a requirement for a successful street, as long as the community itself takes on the responsibility of keeping it safe and welcoming.

Question 4

Walzer believes that if the public realm becomes more disorderly, then public places will become…

Accepted Answer

According to Walzer, when the public realm becomes more disorderly, it gives rise to social, sexual, and political deviance in public places.

Question 5

Siegel argues that all but ONE of the following tended to make cities less safe.Which of the following was NOT one of the policies he thinks made cities less safe?

Accepted Answer

Siegel argues that community policing was actually effective in reducing crime and making cities safer. The other three policies (decriminalization of victimless crime, deinstitutionalization of the mentally ill, and decriminalization of minor civil offenses) are all argued to have contributed to making cities less safe.

Question 6

Bryant Simon argues that the idea of the decline of the public sphere in America is an idealized nostalgic image that ignores the…

Accepted Answer

Bryant Simon argues that the idea of the decline of the public sphere in America is an idealized nostalgic image that ignores the exclusion of many people from the public sphere. He argues that the public sphere has always been exclusionary and discriminatory towards certain groups of people, particularly minorities and the working class. Therefore, option A is the best choice as it directly addresses Simon's argument.

Question 7

Simon argues that the public realm was never about democracy, but rather about…

Accepted Answer

Simon argues that the public realm is about exclusion rather than democracy because it is designed to control and limit access to public spaces in order to maintain social order and reinforce power structures.

Question 8

Simon suggests that all but one of the following were among the reasons the White middle class abandoned Atlantic City.Which of these is NOT one of the reasons?

Accepted Answer

The article does not mention the White middle class's support for civil rights as a reason for their abandonment of Atlantic City. The other options, A, B, and C, are all mentioned in the article as contributing factors.

Question 9

The coming of the casinos and their success has led to Atlantic City…

Accepted Answer

The passage does not provide evidence that Atlantic City has shown remarkable improvement as a place to live and play since the arrival of casinos. In fact, the author notes that the city still faces issues such as poverty and crime. Additionally, the passage does not suggest that the White middle class has returned to the city or that gambling provides a better way of life for the city. Therefore, option B, "not actually being any better as a place to live and play," is the best answer choice.

Question 10

Simon contends that the viability of the public realm and casinos are antithetical because…

Accepted Answer

Simon argues that casinos try to keep visitors inside, away from the public realm, and therefore are antithetical to it. He does not make a moral argument against casinos, nor does he imply that private interests have no place in the public realm. The legality of gambling is irrelevant to his argument.

Question 11

Wilson and Kelling's approach to understanding urban crime is the __________ theory.

Accepted Answer

Wilson and Kelling's approach to understanding urban crime is the "broken windows" theory, which suggests that visible signs of disorder (such as broken windows) in a neighborhood can lead to an increase in crime and disorderly behavior. This theory emphasizes the importance of maintaining the physical appearance of a neighborhood and addressing small issues that can lead to larger problems.

Question 12

Wilson and Kelling's "broken windows" theory argues that…

Accepted Answer

Wilson and Kelling's "broken windows" theory argues that petty crimes, such as breaking windows or graffiti, when left untended and ignored, send the signal that nobody cares and can lead to an increase in more serious crimes. Therefore, addressing and preventing these minor offenses is crucial in maintaining public order and reducing overall crime rates.

Question 13

In adopting the "broken windows" approach in the mid-1990s, New York City moved from a reactive policing response to a proactive response.The first approach emphasized the ________ crime while the second emphasized the ________ crime.

Accepted Answer

The "broken windows" approach emphasizes the prevention of smaller crimes, such as vandalism and fare evasion, as a means of deterring larger crimes. This is a proactive approach that aims to prevent crime before it happens, rather than simply investigating and prosecuting after the fact. Therefore, the first approach emphasized the investigation of (reactive) crime, while the second emphasized the prevention of (proactive) crime.

Question 14

In their "broken windows" theory, Wilson and Kelling made a connection between untended ________ and untended ________.

Accepted Answer

In their "broken windows" theory, Wilson and Kelling made a connection between untended property (broken windows, littered lots, etc.) and untended behavior (misdemeanors, felonies, etc.). This means that if neighborhoods or areas have a lot of neglected or deteriorating properties, it may lead to an increase in criminal or disorderly behavior.

Question 15

Eric Garner died as a result of being choked to death despite his repeated gasps of "I can't breathe." Hutter contends that…

Accepted Answer

Garner's death, as argued by Hutter, reflects a change in societal or environmental conditions over time, suggesting that the circumstances leading to his death would not have occurred in the Brooklyn of his youth. This implies a critique of the changes in policing or societal conditions rather than attributing blame to Garner's actions or physical characteristics.

Question 16

Mitchell Duneier criticizes the "broken windows" approach for failing to distinguish between ________ disorder and ________ disorder.

Accepted Answer

Mitchell Duneier criticizes the "broken windows" approach for failing to distinguish between physical disorder (e.g. broken windows, graffiti) and social disorder (e.g. drug use, prostitution).

Question 17

People engaging in behavior that is seen as disorderly, threatening, and potentially criminal by the better off and more powerful is an example of…

Accepted Answer

Social disorder refers to behavior that is viewed as deviant or inappropriate by the dominant group in society, leading to a breakdown in social norms and a sense of insecurity or danger. This can include things like loitering, panhandling, or public intoxication, which may not be criminal in and of themselves but are seen as disruptive or threatening by others. Physical disorder (A) refers more specifically to the physical decay or deterioration of a neighborhood or public space, while urban disorder (B) is a broader term that encompasses a range of issues related to urban life, from environmental pollution to poverty to crime. Legal disorder (D) is not a commonly used term, but could refer to situations where the legal system itself is seen as ineffective or corrupt, leading to a breakdown in the rule of law.

Question 18

In his research on the street lives of poor Black men who sell magazines or books, or who panhandle in Greenwich Village, Duneier analyzes the…

Accepted Answer

Duneier's research focuses on the rules and regulations that the street people create among themselves to self-regulate their activities in order to maintain a sense of order and stability. This includes spatial distribution of who sells what and where.

Question 19

Duneier's research on everyday street life indicates…

Accepted Answer

Duneier's research suggests that despite the appearance of chaos, there is an underlying sense of social order on the streets. He found that individuals in urban neighborhoods adhered to unwritten rules and norms in their daily interactions, which contributed to a sense of order in a seemingly disorderly environment.

Question 20

Which of the following is one of the most vocal critics of the "broken windows" theory?

Accepted Answer

Mike Davis is a well-known social commentator and urban theorist who has written extensively on the negative effects of the "broken windows" theory on marginalized communities. He argues that the theory promotes a culture of vigilantism and police brutality, and ultimately harms the very communities it is meant to protect.

Quiz 10: Seeing Disorder and the Ecology of Fear