Chicago - City of Broad Shoulders


This course is about Chicago, We will cover the history of the city and region, the politics, corruption, arts, plans, neighborhoods, humor, achievements and the future of the City.

Course Outline


Draft - Under Development

1st Week

2nd Week 

  • Corruption
  • Politicians
  • Mike Royko
  • Illinois - Where Our Governors Make License Plates
  • Hinky Dink
  • Al Capone
  • Frank Nitti
  • Mayor Big Bill Thompson
  • Mayor Anton Cermak
  • Mayor Daley - Da Mayer
  • Mayor Jane Byrne
  • Mayor Harold Washington
  • Mayor Richard M. Daley - Da Mayer
  • Mayor Harold Washington
  • Mayor Rahm Emmanuel

3rd Week

  • Location Location Location
  • The Grid Plan
  • Trails to Rails
  • Plank Roads
  • Cable Cars
  • Railroads
  • The "EL" Elevated Railroads
  • Sell the Streets
  • Cars and the Burbs
  • Lakefront - Forever Free and Clear
  • Daniel Burnham
  • The World's Exposition - The World's Fair
  • The Burnham Plan of 1909 - Make No Small Plans
  • The Deep Tunnel Plan
  • Urban Renewal
  • Build Public Housing High Rises, and Tear Them Down
  • Suburbanization
4th Week

  • Jane Adams Hull House
  • 2nd World's Fair
  • Meig's Field - Closed in the Night
  • Midway Airport
  • O'Hare Airport 
  • The New, Even More Improved New Third Airport
  • Your Recommendations for Chicago