Department of Urban Studies and Planning

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B.A. degree in Urban Studies


Core requirements:

The core requirements consist of 12 courses which develop a solid foundation in the five major areas of the curriculum:

  1. Historical and Social Science perspectives: drawing upon the basic social science disciplines to provide a broad-based understand­ing of urban growth and change

    USP 400: Dynamics of the American City*

    • Basic Social Science courses: ( three of the following courses)

      • USP 535: Urban Economics

      • USP 432: Urban Geography

      • USP 512: Urban Politics

      • USP 470: City in a Global Society

      • USP 555: Urban Anthropology

  2. Research methods and data analysis: (providing the basic tools necessary for effective research and analysis)

      • USP 492: Research Methods

      • USP 493: Data Analysis

  3. Foundation course in policy or planning: developing the conceptual and analytic approaches necessary for effective action intended to address current urban issues.

      • USP 480: Intro to Urban Policy & Analysis

      • USP 658: Land Use Planning

  4. Fieldwork and Practical applications: internship and research project providing carefully supervised hands-on experience in both a real-world work setting (the internship) and an independent research project (the senior seminar).

      • USP 603/604: Public Service Internship and Internship Seminar

      • USP 680: Senior Seminar

  5. Electives/Foci of Interest
    The electives are courses focusing on particular issue areas in which the theoretical and analytic approaches developed in the core courses are applied to critical contemporary issues. This allows students to develop familiarity and some expertise in a policy area. Major urban planning and policy areas include housing and community development, health care, transportation, environmental and land-use planning, sustainable development, and social policy.

      • Three courses chosen in consultation with and approved by your advisor.

*Many Urban Studies and Planning courses are cross-listed with other departments. For cross-listing information, see course descriptions.

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