Academics

UR 101 Introduction to Urban Studies

LASC—Human Behavior and Social Processes; United States and Its Role in the World

A broad contextual overview of urban life that examines the relationship of people to their environment from an interdisciplinary perspective.

Offered every year. 3 credits.

UR 103 Introduction to Women's Studies

This course uses a variety of academic disciplines to study the situation of women around the world.

Offered every 2 years. 3 credits.

UR 191 Special Topics in Urban Studies

This introductory level course will cover topics in Urban Studies which are of special interest to first-year students.

Offered every year. 3 credits.

UR 193 Special Topics in Urban Studies for First-year Students

All "193" classes are approved for LASC but may vary by section. See current course listing for specific LASC area approval.

Introductory level course covering topics of special interest to first-year students. Offered only as a First-year Seminar.

Offered every year. 3 credits.

UR 201 Analysis of Urban Systems

Analysis of activities, programs, and policies designed to sustain and enhance the livability of individuals in an urban environment.

Offered every 2 years. 3 credits.

UR 202 Aging in Metropolitan Society

An introduction to gerontology stressing the social, economic and political aspects of aging in the urban environment.

Offered every 2 years. 3 credits.

UR 212 American Metropolitan Evolution

Prerequisite: UR 101

Development of metropolitan America from a multi-disciplinary approach with emphasis upon dynamics of urban growth, internal development of cities, immigrations, socioeconomic stratification, metropolitanization and problems deriving from growth.

Offered every year. 3 credits.

UR 213 Human Identity and the Urban Environment

Prerequisite: UR 101

Study of factors affecting identity in contemporary urban settings including race, ethnicity, class, age, and sex categories and roles.

Offered every year. 3 credits.

UR 215 Information Management in Urban Studies

Prerequisite: UR 101

Designed to familiarize students with various methods of managing, creating and reporting information.

Offered every 3 years. 3 credits.

UR 216 Women and Aging in the Urban Environment

Investigation of the Aging process for women in urban society, focusing on their great longevity, lower income status, and major caregiving role.

Offered every 2 years. 3 credits.

UR 230 Technology, Public Policy, and Urban Society

Examination of high-technology and its impact on urban society; privacy, ethics, intellectual, property rights, sense of community, and access to information and services.

Offered every year. 3 credits.

UR 290 Gender and the City

Exploration of ways in which gender, both male and female, structures responses of individuals to urban life and spaces.

Offered every 2 years. 3 credits.

UR 301 Cities and Suburbs

Prerequisite: UR 101

Multidisciplinary study of city-suburban growth patterns and problems both of the past, and those that hamper metropolitan cooperation and affect the quality of life of both city and suburban residents and businesses.

Offered every 2 years. 3 credits.

UR 305 Group Conflict in the Urban Community

Prerequisite: UR 101

Study of conflict and its resolution in contemporary urban settings. Personal, small group, and societal strategies for conflict resolution will be explored.

Offered every 2 years. 3 credits.

UR 306 Interviewing and Counseling Techniques

Prerequisite: Consent of instructor

Investigation of skills and process of interviewing and counseling with emphasis upon theory and practice, participant exercises, and development of helping skills and effective counseling relationships.

Offered every 3 years. 3 credits.

UR 310 Power, Politics, and Decision-Making in Urban Communities

Prerequisite: UR 101 or permission of instructor

Exploration from multi-disciplinary approach of social power and its relation to decision-making in urban communities. Emphasis on theories of power, understanding research methodologies, and policy implications.

Offered every 3 years. 3 credits.

UR 311 Community Politics and Policies

Prerequisite: UR 101 or permission of instructor

Political behavior and perceptions in cities and towns from a multidisciplinary perspective with emphasis on how policy is initiated, developed and implemented in various governmental forms.

Offered every 3 years. 3 credits.

UR 320 Human Needs and Social Policy

Analysis of human needs as they change over a life span; why needs go unmet, and the role of social policy in meeting needs.

Offered every year. 3 credits.

UR 321 Social Work in the Urban Society

Prerequisite: UR 101

Overview of approaches used by social work professionals in assessing and meeting needs, including casework, community organization and planning.

Offered every 2 years. 3 credits.

UR 325 Social Casework in the Urban Setting

Prerequisite: UR 101

Introduction to various social work approaches—client-centered, task-centered, Gestalt, Carhuff and reality therapy; role playing and counseling simulations utilized.

Offered every 2 years. 3 credits.

UR 330 Justice in the Urban Society

Prerequisite: UR 101

Theoretical perspectives on the mission of the criminal justice system and the daily operation of its sub- components.

Offered every 3 years. 3 credits.

UR 331 Crime and the City

Prerequisite: UR 101

Investigation of crime in contemporary urban society and the social, legal, economic, and cultural strategies for dealing with crime and deviance.

Offered every 2 years. 3 credits.

UR 340 Urban Housing Dilemma

Prerequisite: UR 101

Analysis of the factors that shape the nature, location, and supply of urban housing with special focus on federal, state and local policies.

Offered every 3 years. 3 credits.

UR 341 Urban Health and Social Policy

Prerequisite: UR 101

Analysis of urban health care, with special emphasis on the role of social policy in ensuring health care for all, particularly children and elders.

Offered every 2 years. 3 credits.

UR 344 A Society for All Ages: Intergenerational Community Service

Exploration of the necessary role of community service in civic life with emphasis on harnessing the power of intergenerational programs to address social concerns.

Offered every year. 3 credits.

UR 350 Urban Youth in American Society

Prerequisite: UR 101

Role and problems of youth in urban societies viewed from a variety of social science perspectives with utilization of contemporary music and literature.

Offered every 2 years. 3 credits.

UR 351 Public Policy and Youth Services

Prerequisite: UR 101

Role of theory, attitudes, and public opinion in the formation of policies concerning delinquency with exploration of current practices and innovative strategies.

Offered every 2 years. 3 credits.

UR 352 Policy Planning for an Aging Society

Prerequisite: Consent of instructor

Analysis of current social policies in regard to elders and exploration of ways in which policies need to be altered to meet growing elder needs.

Offered every 3 years. 3 credits.

UR 360 Environmental Systems and Public Policy

Prerequisite: UR 101 or permission of instructor

Examination of urban ecosystems, focusing on land uses designed to effectively utilize water, open space and other natural resources.

Offered every 2 years. 3 credits.

UR 361 Public Policy and Environmental Issues

Prerequisite: UR 101 or permission of instructor

Investigation of the factors that determine the formation of public policy on the environment with consideration of the roles played by state and federal regulatory agencies.

Offered every 2 years. 3 credits.

UR 370 Structure and Function of Urban Organizations

Prerequisite UR 101

Advanced leadership seminar for students interested in pursuing management careers in public and nonprofit organizations.

Offered every 3 years

UR 380 Public Policy and Cultural Diversity

Prerequisite: UR 101

This course will examine contemporary policy issues and problems deriving from cultural diversity. These will include areas such as immigration, population, demographics, affirmative action, public assistance, integration, separatism, political correctness, gender equity, and the role of organized religion in contemporary politics.

Offered every 2 years. 3 credits.

UR 401 Research Seminar in Urban Studies

Prerequisite: UR 101

Research skills for urban-based projects including techniques in gathering, analyzing, and reporting data and various forms of field research.

Offered every year. 3 credits.

UR 410 Assigned Research in Urban Affairs

Prerequisite: UR 101

Individual or small group directed research into selected problems and issues in urban affairs.

Offered every 3 years. 3 credits.

UR 411 Assigned Readings in Urban Affairs

Prerequisite: UR 101

Directed readings for students interested in special topics related to their academic program of study.

Offered every 2 years. 3 credits.

UR 421 Selected Topics in Urban Studies

Prerequisite: UR 101

In-depth examination of topical issues challenging the intellectual and creative interests of advanced students in urban studies.

Offered every year. 3 credits.

UR 422 Selected Topics in Gerontology

Prerequisite: Consent of instructor

In-depth examination of topical issues in gerontology which afford the advanced student the opportunity to pursue gerontological research.

Offered every 2 years. 3 credits.

UR 430 Seminar in Current Urban Problems

Prerequisite: UR 101

Individual and group investigation and research of selected and current urban problems.

Offered every 2 years. 3 credits.

UR 432 Demographic Research Seminar

Prerequisite: UR 101

Small group or individual research using various sources in gathering, interpreting, reporting and projecting policy implications of demographic data.

Offered every 3 years. 3 credits.

UR 440 Practicum in Urban Studies

Prerequisite: UR 101

Directed experiential study for advanced students.

Offered every year. Variable credit.

UR 450 Internship in Urban Studies

Prerequisites: Completion of 21 credits in Urban Studies

Supervised and intensive semester-long experience in community agencies.

Offered every year. 3-12 credits.

UR 451 Internship Seminar

Prerequisites: Completion of 21 Urban Studies credits or permission of instructor

Exploration of the challenges that emerge as 25 students engage in the professional world (recommended to be taken in conjunction with UR 450 Internship in Urban Studies).

Offered every year. 1 credit.