Do good fences make good neighbors? Borders are the political demarcation line established between nations. These geographical locations are among the most complex sites of cultural production in the 21st century. Two sets of social, economic and political forces converge, thus producing dualities, tensions and transformations known as "Border Phenomena." We'll discuss written and visual works by artists, architects, theorists, and geographers who have addressed the border as site of social reflection (e.g., Teddy Cruz, Eyal Weizman, Michael Sorkin, Francis Alys, Krzysztof Wodiczko and ERRE). Part A of the course will establish a context in which we'll examine the rise of the nation state and globalization along with their effects on borderlands. Part B will cover case studies such as US-Mexico and the Israel-Palestinian Territories. Part C will expand upon recurring themes, such as identity and mobility, for a comparative discussion on ways to make borders more permeable.

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