Urban Studies (URBS-UA)

Identical to SCA-UA 101. Introduces theories, methods, and political trajectories central to the Department of Social and Cultural Analysis (SCA). Addresses how individuals and populations structure their worlds and navigate the resulting social, cultural, and political terrain. It privileges scholarly work with an intersectional approach, drawing on theoretical insights from such fields as social geography, feminism and queer studies, ethnic studies, urban and metropolitan studies, critical race theory, labor studies, and cultural studies.

Required for the majors in Urban Studies and Anthropology; Urban Studies and History; Urban Studies and Social and Cultural Analysis; and Urban Studies and Sociology. A broad and interdisciplinary introduction to the field of urban studies, surveying the major approaches deployed to investigate the urban experience in the social space of the modern city. Explores the historical geography of capitalist urbanization with attention to North American and European cities, to colonial and postcolonial cities, and to the global contexts of urban development. Major topics include urban politics and governance; suburban and regional development; urban social movements; urban planning; the gendering of urban space and racial segregation in urban space.

Identical to UPADM-GP 283. Students must enroll in both the lecture and a lab section. Required for the majors in Urban Studies and Anthropology; Urban Studies and History; Urban Studies and Social and Cultural Analysis; and Urban Studies and Sociology. Understanding geographic relationships between people, land use, and resources is fundamental to planning. Urban planners routinely use spatial analysis to inform decision-making. This course will introduce students to Geographic Information Systems (GIS), a tool to analyze and visualize spatial data. The course will emphasize the core functions of GIS: map making, data management, and spatial analysis. Students will learn cartographic best practices, how to find and create spatial data, spatial analysis methodology, and how to approach problem solving from a geographic perspective. Throughout the course, students will build a portfolio of professional quality maps and data visualizations.

At the core of Urban Studies is learning in action. The Urban Lab will provide students with both a critical learning experience through site visits, in-class discussion, meetings with key urban policy analysts, public officials, and non-profit leaders. It will provide students with the opportunity to conduct policy-relevant research on urban themes. It seeks to provide students with skills that will help them when they seek post-graduation employment. Over the course of a semester, students work to address challenges and solve problems confronting cities today. Students will engage in readings and discussions about a key issue. Specific topics vary.