Appreciation of the complexities of the interlocking and contingent nature of urban problems
Understanding of the problems associated with common space, diversity, urban services, disorder, and work in an urban environment
Cluster Focus
This cluster encourages an interdisciplinary approach to the problems and crucial issues that emerge from urban environments. Students will gain an understanding of the issues associated with the convergence of diverse populations in urban locations and acquire an appreciation of the complexities of the interlocking and contingent nature of urban problems. This will be accomplished through an examination of the topical areas of common space, diversity, urban services, disorder, and work.
Courses
CHP 415W. Critical Issues in Community Health Identification and analyses of critical issues currently facing community health and the American health care system.
CRJS 355. Crime and the Community This course will focus on the effect of crime on communities and the ways in which communities affect crime. The class will consider both ethnographic community studies as well as larger-scale demographic analysis.
Prerequisite: CRJS 215S or SOC 201S or permission of the instructor
ECON 445. Urban Economics An analysis of the economic factors which give rise to the formation of urban centers and which contribute to the following problems: urban poverty, housing conditions, traffic congestion, and the fiscal crisis faced by modern cities.
Prerequisites: ECON 202S (or 200S and permission of the instructor) and junior standing, or permission of the Chief Departmental Advisor.
GEOG 310. Geography of the City An analysis of the structure, growth, and development of cities. Topics include the use of urban land, location of public services, structure of the urban economy, social problems of urban populations, and decay and revitalization.
Prerequisite: Completion of General Education social science requirement
OR
GEOG 412. Cities of the World.
A examination of cities of the world's major cultural realms with an emphasis on the urban landscape as it varies between developed and developing countries.
Prerequisite: junior standing or permission of the instructor.
HIST 303. The City in Western Civilization An examination of the city and humankind's changing relationship with the urban environment. Special attention will be given to individual cities in various eras from Ancient Greece to the 19th century.
Prerequisite: HIST 101H, 102H, 103H, 104H, or 105H.
PSYC 431. Community Psychology This course focuses on behavioral prevention and intervention efforts targeting social problems. The goal is to understand how to design and evaluate such programs. Topics vary, but may include an emphasis on public health and safety issues. Individual and group behavior change and cultural design are each considered when targeting problems.
Prerequisite: PSYC 201S or permission of the instructor
