Urban Studies Course Offerings 2009-2010
AUTUMN
Urban Studies 110, Introduction to Urban Studies
The study of cities and urban civilization. History of urbanization and current issues such as suburbanization, racial discrimination, globalization, terrorism, and the environment. Public policies designed to address these issues.(Stout, F.) 4 Units
Urban Studies 114, Cities in Comparative Perspective
(Same as ANTHRO 126.) Core course for Urban Studies majors. The city as interdisciplinary object. Discourses about cities such as the projects, practices, plans, representations, and sensibilities that combine to create what people know about urban spaces. Local, national, and transnational spatial scales. Conversations across regional boundaries; geographies of difference. Case studies.(Inoue, M; Roque, A.) 5 Units
Urban Studies 123, Approaching Research and the Community
How experience with community organizations provides a starting point for developing community-based senior theses or independent research projects. Principles and practice of doing community-based research as a collaborative enterprise between academic researchers and community members; how academic scholarship can be made useful to community organizations. Guest speakers from community organizations, faculty, and alumni of the Public Service Scholars Program.(Visconti, V.) 2 Units
Urban Studies 127, Community Planning Workshop
Students work in teams to conduct research, analyze and evaluate alternatives, and make recommendations for possible solutions to local community development issues. Provides students with an opportunity to work with community partners and blend theory and practice to accomplish a community based project.(Steiner, B.) 4-5 Units
Urban Studies 131, Social Innovation and the Social Entrepreneur
Invited lecture series. Perspectives and endeavors of thought leaders and entrepreneurs who address social needs in the U.S. and internationally through private for-profit and nonprofit organizations, nongovernmental organizations, or public institutions.(Edwards, M.) 1 Unit
Urban Studies 133, Social Entrepreneurship
Interdisciplinary student teams create and develop U.S. and international social entrepreneurship initiatives. Proposed initiatives may be new entities, or innovative projects, partnerships, and/or strategies impacting existing organizations and social issues in the U.S. and internationally. Focus is on each team's research and on planning documents to further project development. Project development varies with the quarter and the skill set of each team, but should include: issue and needs identification; market research; design and development of an innovative and feasible solution; and drafting of planning documents. In advanced cases, solicitation of funding and implementation of a pilot project.(Edwards, M.) 4 Units
Urban Studies 198, Senior Research in Public Service
Limited to seniors approved by their departments for honors thesis and admitted to the year-round Public Service Scholars Program sponsored by the Haas Center for Public Service. What standards in addition to those expected by the academy apply to research conducted as a form of public service? How can communities benefit from research? Theory and practice of research as a form of public service readings, thesis workshops, and public presentation of completed research. May be repeated for credit. Corequisite: 199.(Visconti, V.) 1-3 Units
Urban Studies 203, Senior Seminar
Conclusion of capstone sequence. Students write a substantial paper based on the research project developed in 201 or 202. Students in the honors program may incorporate paper into their thesis. Guest scholar chosen by students.(Kahan, M.) 5 Units
WINTER
Urban Studies 110, Introduction to Urban Studies
The study of cities and urban civilization. History of urbanization and current issues such as suburbanization, racial discrimination, globalization, terrorism, and the environment. Public policies designed to address these issues.(Stout, F.) 4 Units
Urban Studies 112, The Urban Underclass
Recent research and theory on the urban underclass, including evidence on the concentration of African Americans in urban ghettos, and the debate surrounding the causes of poverty in urban settings. Ethnic/racial conflict, residential segregation, and changes in the family structure of the urban poor.(Rosenfeld, M.) 5 Units
Urban Studies 113, Introduction to Urban Design: Contemporary Urban Design in Theory and Practice
Comparative studies in N. America and abroad of neighborhood conservation, central city regeneration, and growth policies for metropolitan regions. Case studies, team projects, and class workshops in San Francisco.(Gast, G.) 5 Units
Urban Studies 126, Spirituality and Nonviolent Urban and Social Transformation
A life of engagement in social transformation is often built on a foundation of spiritual and religious commitments. Case studies of nonviolent social change agents including Rosa Parks in the civil rights movement, César Chávez in the labor movement, and WIlliam Sloane Coffin in the peace movement; the religious and spiritual underpinnings of their commitments. Theory and principles of nonviolence. Films and readings. Service learning component includes placements in organizations engaged in social transformation.(Karlin-Neumann, P., McLennan, W., Sanders, J.) 5 Units
Urban Studies 132, Concepts and Analytic Skills for the Social Sector
Analytical methods, marketing, language, organizational mission, strategy, and finance in the for-profit and nonprofit social sectors. Focus is on the integration of theory and application. Opportunities and limits of methods from the profit sector to meet social goals.(Litvak, L.) 4 Units
Urban Studies 198, Senior Research in Public Service
Limited to seniors approved by their departments for honors thesis and admitted to the year-round Public Service Scholars Program sponsored by the Haas Center for Public Service. What standards in addition to those expected by the academy apply to research conducted as a form of public service? How can communities benefit from research? Theory and practice of research as a form of public service readings, thesis workshops, and public presentation of completed research. May be repeated for credit. Corequisite: 199.(Visconti, V.) 1-3 Units
Urban Studies 201, Preparation for Senior Project
(Same as SOC 201.) First part of capstone experience for Urban Studies majors pursuing an internship-based research project or honors thesis. Individually arranged internship beginning in Winter Quarter, 8 hours per week. Prospective students must consult with internship coordinator early in Autumn Quarter to plan placement. Reflections and assignments culminate in a research proposal, which may submitted for funding. Internship normally continues in Spring Quarter; research proposed in the final assignment may be carried out in Spring or Summer Quarter; consent required for Autumn Quarter research.(Kahan, M.) 5 Units
Urban Studies 202, Preparation for Honors Thesis
(Same as SOC 202.) Primarily for juniors in Sociology; sophomores who plan to be off-campus Winter Quarter of their junior year may register with consent of instructor. Students write a research prospectus and grant proposal, which may be submitted for funding. Research proposal in final assignment may be carried out in Spring or Summer Quarter; consent required for Autumn Quarter research.(McAdam, D.) 5 Units
SPRING
Urban Studies 110, Introduction to Urban Studies
The study of cities and urban civilization. History of urbanization and current issues such as suburbanization, racial discrimination, globalization, terrorism, and the environment. Public policies designed to address these issues.(Kahan, M.) 4 Units
Urban Studies 115, Urban Sustainability: Long-Term Archaeological Perspectives
(Same as CLASSGEN 123, CLASSGEN 223.) Comparative and archaeological view of urban design and sustainability. How fast changing cities challenge human relationships with nature. Innovation and change, growth, industrial development, the consumption of goods and materials. Five millennia of city life including Near Eastern city states, Graeco-Roman antiquity, the Indus Valley, and the Americas.(Shanks, M.) 3-5 Units
Urban Studies 123, Approaching Research and the Community
How experience with community organizations provides a starting point for developing community-based senior theses or independent research projects. Principles and practice of doing community-based research as a collaborative enterprise between academic researchers and community members; how academic scholarship can be made useful to community organizations. Guest speakers from community organizations, faculty, and alumni of the Public Service Scholars Program.(Visconti, V.) 2 Units
Urban Studies 133, Social Entrepreneurship
Interdisciplinary student teams create and develop U.S. and international social entrepreneurship initiatives. Proposed initiatives may be new entities, or innovative projects, partnerships, and/or strategies impacting existing organizations and social issues in the U.S. and internationally. Focus is on each team's research and on planning documents to further project development. Project development varies with the quarter and the skill set of each team, but should include: issue and needs identification; market research; design and development of an innovative and feasible solution; and drafting of planning documents. In advanced cases, solicitation of funding and implementation of a pilot project.(Scher, L.) 4 Units
Urban Studies 137, Innovations in Microcredit and Development Finance
The role of innovative financial institutions in supporting economic development, the alleviation of rural and urban poverty, and gender equity. Analysis of the strengths and limits of commercial banks, public development banks, credit unions, and microcredit organizations both in the U.S. and internationally. Readings will include academic journal articles, formal case studies, evaluations, and annual reports. Priority will be given to students who have taken any portion of the social innovation series: URBANST 131, 132, or 133. Recommended: ECON 1A or 1B. (Kieschnik, M.) 4 Units
Urban Studies 165, Sustainable Urban and Regional Transportation Planning
Environmental, economic, and equity aspects of urban transportation in 21st-century U.S. Expanded choices in urban and regional mobility that do not diminish resources for future generations. Implications for the global environment and the livability of communities.(Kott, J.) 4 Units
Urban Studies 171, Urban Design Studio
The practical application of urban design theory. Projects focus on designing neighborhood and downtown regions to balance livability, revitalization, population growth, and historic preservation.(Glanz, D.) 5 Units
Urban Studies 198, Senior Research in Public Service
Limited to seniors approved by their departments for honors thesis and admitted to the year-round Public Service Scholars Program sponsored by the Haas Center for Public Service. What standards in addition to those expected by the academy apply to research conducted as a form of public service? How can communities benefit from research? Theory and practice of research as a form of public service readings, thesis workshops, and public presentation of completed research. May be repeated for credit. Corequisite: 199.(Visconti, V.) 1-3 Units