Urban Studies Interdisciplinary Program
Seeking Solutions to Pressing Urban Issues in Partnership with Chicago Communities.
The Urban Studies minor provides students with a unique opportunity to gain an understanding of how a city works. An interdisciplinary program of the College of Arts and Sciences, Urban Studies combines coursework in fields like sociology, psychology, history, philosophy, criminal justice, economy, environmental studies, and political science. Not only do students study social, political, economic, and cultural institutions in Chicago (and beyond), but they also get involved in research projects with community organizations seeking solutions to pressing urban issues.
The minor consists of two tracks:
- General Track: Receive a broad introduction to themes and issues such as urban politics and community life, as well as racial, ethnic, and economic inequality.
- Environmental Sustainability Track: Focus on both sustainability in the social world (e.g. health, housing, education, jobs, and community) and in the physical environment (e.g. water, air, and soil).
Undergraduate Policies and Procedures
Please see Undergraduate Policies and Procedures for academic policies that supersede those of academic units within the University.
Urban Studies (URB)
URB 125 Chicago-Growth of a Metropolis (3 Credit Hours)
This course explores the development of Chicago metropolitan region from the 1830's to the present day. Students will explore the urban area not only through texts, but also through fieldwork.
Course equivalencies: SOCL125/URB125
Students will be able to demonstrate understanding of the geography, history and people of the Chicago metropolitan region
Outcomes
Students will be able to demonstrate understanding of the geography, history and people of the Chicago metropolitan regionURB 201 Social Welfare Policy & Services I (3 Credit Hours)
Pre-requisites: sophomore standing
Analysis of institutional structures of welfare as they relate to social problems. Selected major values and interests in American society are used to analyze the social welfare institution. Students will be able to describe and analyze current social welfare policies and social services within a historical, societal and political context.
Course equivalencies: SOWK201/URB201
URB 234 City, Suburbs & Beyond (3 Credit Hours)
Study of the historical emergence of cities, focusing on the ecological, demographic, and organizational processes involved in the continuing growth and change of metropolitan areas and in the relationship of a metropolitan area to the surrounding region.
Course equivalencies: X-SOCL234/URB234
Students will understand fundamental facts and theories about the character and development of cities and urban regions
Outcomes
Students will understand fundamental facts and theories about the character and development of cities and urban regionsURB 320 Urban Economics (3 Credit Hours)
This course analyzes the economic role and functioning of cities and examines urban issues such as real estate markets, transportation, economic development, and crime.
Course equivalencies: X-ECON320/URB320
Students will understand the economic forces that shape urban agglomerations; Students will understand the economic and ethical trade-offs of various urban economic policies; They will be able to think critically about the economic forces that make a city grow and contract over time
Outcomes
Students will understand the economic forces that shape urban agglomerations; Students will understand the economic and ethical trade-offs of various urban economic policies; They will be able to think critically about the economic forces that make a city grow and contract over timeURB 352 Gang Activity & Control (3 Credit Hours)
The course examines the emergence of street gangs in American society with a view toward understanding their structure, characteristics, purpose and activities, and reviews and evaluates prevention and control strategies.
Course equivalencies: CRMJ352/URB352
Students will be able to demonstrate an understanding of the causes of street gangs, the methods used to control street gangs, and the impact of street gang activity on society and the criminal justice system
Outcomes
Students will be able to demonstrate an understanding of the causes of street gangs, the methods used to control street gangs, and the impact of street gang activity on society and the criminal justice systemURB 354 Chicago Justice: Criminal Justice System Cook County (3 Credit Hours)
This course provides a comprehensive examination of the organization and functions of the criminal and juvenile justice systems/agencies in Cook County - the largest jurisdiction of its kind in the U.S.
Course equivalencies: CRMJ354/URB354
Students will be able to describe the organization, functioning, and challenges facing the justice system and agencies within Cook County, and discuss how this system relates to criminal justice agencies at the state and federal level
Outcomes
Students will be able to describe the organization, functioning, and challenges facing the justice system and agencies within Cook County, and discuss how this system relates to criminal justice agencies at the state and federal levelURB 370 Cultural Diversity (3 Credit Hours)
Pre-requisites: Junior Standing
This course examines economic, social, institutional and political forces that shape the experiences and life chances of persons within Asian, Latino, and Native American cultures. Social and economic justice in relation to diversity will be explored. Students will understand the relevance of diversity to social work values and interventions.
Course equivalencies: ASIA/SOWK/URB370/AFR369/SOWK50
URB 385 The History of Chicago (3 Credit Hours)
This course surveys the history of Chicago from its origins to the present, using the city as a case study of American urbanization.
Course equivalencies: X-HIST385/URB385
Students will be able to demonstrate historical knowledge of Chicago's environmental, economic, social, cultural, and political history, to draw links between race relations and urban change, and to develop critical thinking and communication skills
Outcomes
Students will be able to demonstrate historical knowledge of Chicago's environmental, economic, social, cultural, and political history, to draw links between race relations and urban change, and to develop critical thinking and communication skillsURB 386 American Urban History (3 Credit Hours)
This course examines the process and impact of urbanization in North America from the Precolumbian era to the twenty-first century.
Course equivalencies: X-HIST386/URB386
Students will be able to demonstrate historical knowledge of the environmental, economic, social, cultural, and political history of North American cities and develop critical thinking and communication skills
Outcomes
Students will be able to demonstrate historical knowledge of the environmental, economic, social, cultural, and political history of North American cities and develop critical thinking and communication skillsURB 397 Urban Studies Research (3 Credit Hours)
Pre-requisites: Junior or Senior standing
In Urban Studies Research, undergraduates work on collaborative, community-based research projects through CURL (Center for Urban Research and Learning). The research teams include graduate students, faculty, and community leaders. This course must be taken concurrently with SOC/PLSC 335 Students will contribute to a research project that addresses inequities in urban communities.
Interdisciplinary Option: Urban Studies
This course satisfies the Engaged Learning requirement.
Course equivalencies: X-PLSC397/URB397