Metropolis: History of New York City
New York City's growth from 1607 to the present anchors this MIT course, tracing how the city's physical form and social structure evolved together. Readings and class discussions cover topics such as colonial New Amsterdam, immigration waves, tenement housing, industrial development, and the rise of the modern skyline, comparing New York's path to patterns seen in other cities. The course materials, published through MIT OpenCourseWare, include the syllabus, weekly reading assignments, and discussion topics used in the original class. It suits anyone wanting a structured look at urban history through a single case study rather than a general survey. No certificate is offered, but all course materials are free to access and use under MIT's open license.