Urban Studies and Planning

The Urban Studies and Planning Program

The great majority of U.S. citizens, and a growing proportion of people throughout the world, live in cities. Cities provide the environment in which people work, learn, play, and make decisions together. Local governments make critical interventions in the quality of life. At the same time, the cities of the world are increasingly linked in a global economic system, making diverse contributions to the international division of labor.

Urban studies and planning is an interdisciplinary program providing students with a variety of perspectives for understanding the development, growth, and culture of cities and the communities within them. Course work introduces students to the ways different disciplines understand cities and the societies of which they are a part. Upper-division requirements educate students about the parameters within which urban choices are made. Upper-division electives broaden students' social education and introduce students to policy and planning issues.

One of the outstanding features of the Urban Studies and Planning Program is the upper-division research requirement. During a two-quarter sequence designed to be taken in the fall and winter of the senior year, all USP majors are guided through a research internship and writing process. The upper-division field studies sequence allows students to work on specific policy projects in the San Diego region. Eligible students may choose to enroll in USP 190 in the spring to write an honors thesis. The honors option is an opportunity to do advanced research and writing that builds on work already completed in the senior sequence.

Urban studies and planning is an undergraduate community of students with diverse interests and goals. After graduation some majors pursue graduate work in social science disciplines. Others pursue graduate study in public policy, law, planning, or architecture. Urban studies has always also attracted students interested in medicine and public health issues, who continue to study in these areas at schools of medicine or public health. Urban studies and planning is not designed as a training program in local government, planning, or urban design. It provides students with a solid liberal arts background for graduate study or for professional work in a number of fields. Many students find employment opportunities through their field work placement. More generally, graduates of urban studies and planning will have the analytic skills to think clearly and act creatively about the problems and prospects of the urban environment.

The Urban Studies and Planning Major

A bachelor of arts degree in urban studies and planning will be given to students who satisfactorily complete the general-education requirements of Muir, Revelle, Marshall, Warren, or Roosevelt College in addition to the urban studies and planning courses described below. The undergraduate program in urban studies and planning requires a three-quarter lower-division sequence in urban studies; Political Science 30; and twelve courses in upper-division urban studies and planning. Students are encouraged to complete the lower-division prerequisites before they enroll in the upper-division courses.

In accordance with campus academic regulations, courses used to satisfy the major cannot be applied toward a minor, although some overlap is allowed for double majors. All lower-division and upper-division requirements must be taken for a letter grade. A 2.0 grade-point average is required in the major, and students must earn at least C– in each course used for the major. Transfer students should see the urban studies and planning adviser to determine whether courses taken elsewhere satisfy USP program requirements. No more than one special studies course, USP 198 or USP 199, will be accepted to count towards the major.

Lower-Division Requirements

Students majoring in urban studies and planning must complete the introductory sequence USP 1, 2, 3, and Political Science 30.

Upper-Division Requirements

The upper-division requirements in urban studies and planning are:

1. two foundation courses
   
2. USP 101/Political Science 160AA. Introduction to Policy Analysis
   
3. seven upper-division courses, of which at least three are from the social science list
   
4. senior sequence of field work and internship

FOUNDATION COURSES

Foundation courses provide the conceptual tools for the major. Students are to choose two of:

USP 102. Urban Economics (Economics 135) (4)

USP 103. U.S. Cities in the Twentieth Century (HIUS 148) (4)
(Can substitute USP 103 with USP 165/HIUS 147. History of the American Suburb.)

SENIOR SEQUENCE REQUIREMENT

In their senior year, all students must complete the senior sequence, USP 186 Field Work in the fall, and USP 187 Internship in the winter. These courses must be taken IN ORDER. The sequence develops each students ability to: (1) critically review others' research, (2) formulate interesting research questions of their own, (3) design an original research project and investigative strategy, (4) conduct research, and (5) analyze, interpret, and write up findings. The final requirement of USP 186 is a research proposal. By the end of USP 187 each student must complete a Senior Research Project.

Because the senior sequence includes an internship, no other internship or field placement will be counted towards the major.

HONORS IN URBAN STUDIES AND PLANNING

Candidates for Honors in Urban Studies and Planning are required to take USP 190 Senior Seminar, in which students write a senior thesis. Prerequisites for enrolling in USP 190 are a minimum 3.5 GPA in the major, senior standing, USP 186 and 187, and consent of instructor. Majors who plan to write a senior thesis in USP 190 must declare their intent in USP 186.

USP 190. Senior Honors Seminar (4)

SOCIAL SCIENCE REQUIREMENT

Students must choose at least three to complete their upper-division social science requirement. Courses accepted for this requirement include:

102/Economics 135. Urban Economics

USP 103/History (HIUS) 148. American Cities of the Twentieth Century

USP 107/Political Science 102E. Urban Politics

USP 109/Political Science 103A. California Government and Politics

USP 110/Political Science 102J. Advanced Topics in Urban Politics

USP 111/Political Science 102JJ. Field Research in Urban Politics

USP 112/Political Science 166F. The American Welfare State

USP 129/Ethnic Studies 190. Research Methods: Studying Racial and Ethnic Communities

USP 130/Ethnic Studies 107. Field Work in Racial and Ethnic Communities

USP 133/Sociology C/152. Social Inequality and Public Policy

USP 135B/Ethnic Studies 161. Black Politics and Protest Since 1941

USP 136/Sociology C/148M. Labor Market Inequality and Public Policy

USP 158. City and Society in Anthropological Theory

USP 165/History (HIUS) 147. History of American Suburbs

USP 166. History of San Diego

USP 190. Senior Honors Seminar

USP 193. San Diego Community Research

ANRG 114. Urban Cultures in Latin America

Economics 116. Economic Development

Economics 130. Public Policy

Economics 139. Labor Economics

Economics 150. Economics of the Public Sector: Taxation

Economics 151. Economics of the Public Sector: Expenditures

Economics 152. Topics in Public Economics

Economics 155. Economics of Voting and Public Choice

Economics 179. Decisions in the Public Sector

Envi 102. Selected Topics in Environmental Studies

Envi 130. Environmental Issues: Social Science

Ethnic Studies 105. Ethnic Diversity and the City

Ethnic Studies 106. Ethnoracial Transformations of U.S. Communities

Ethnic Studies 118. Contemporary Immigration Issues

Ethnic Studies 121. Contemporary Asian-American History

Ethnic Studies 123. Asian-American Politics

Ethnic Studies 131/History (HIUS) 159. Social and Economic History of the Southwest II

Ethnic Studies 151. Ethnic Politics in America

Ethnic Studies 163. Leisure in Urban America

Ethnic Studies 182/History (HIUS) 165. Segregation, Freedom Movements, and the Crisis of the Twentieth Century

Ethnic Studies 184. Black Intellectuals in the Twentieth Century

History (HIEU) 124/VIS 122E. The City in Italy

History (HIEU) 115. Latin American City, a History

History (HILA) 121. History of Brazil

History (HISC) 105. History of Environmentalism

History (HIUS) 114. California History

History (HIUS) 117. History of Los Angeles

History (HIUS) 137. The Built Environment in the Twentieth Century

History (HIUS) 140/Economics 158A. Economic History of the United States I

History (HIUS) 141/Economics 158B. Economic History of the United States II

History (HIUS) 154. Western Environmental History

History (HIUS) 180. Immigration and Ethnicity in Modern American Society

Political Science 100G. American Politics and Public Policy

Political Science 100H. Race and Ethnicity in American Politics

Political Science 117. Violence and Social Order

Political Science 160AB. Introduction to Policy Analysis

Psychology 104. Introduction to Social Psychology

Psychology 186. Psychology and Social Policy

Sociology A/100. Classical Sociological Theory

Sociology A/104. Field Research: Methods of Participant Observation

Sociology B/112. Social Psychology

Sociology C/121. Economy and Society

Sociology C/123. Sociology of Work

Sociology C/125. Minorities in the Schooling Process

Sociology C/132. Gender and Work

Sociology C/136B. Sociology of Mental Illness in Contemporary Society

Sociology C/139. Social Inequality: Class, Race, and Gender

Sociology C/141. Crime and Society

Sociology C/144. Forms of Social Control

Sociology C/148. Political Sociology

Sociology C/148C. Power, Culture, and Social Revolt

Sociology C/148L. Inequality and Jobs

Sociology C/151M. Chicanos in American Society

Sociology C/155. The City of San Diego

Sociology C/159. Special Topics in Social Organizations and Institutions

Sociology C/180. Social Movements and Social Protest

Sociology D/151. Comparative Race and Ethnic Relations

Sociology D/179. Social Change.

POLICY AND PLANNING REQUIREMENT

Courses accepted for this requirement include:

USP 124. Land Use Planning

USP 133/Sociology C/152. Social Inequality and Public Policy

USP 137. Housing and Community Development Policy and Practice

USP 139. Women and the Built Environment

USP 143. U.S. Health Care System

USP 144. Environmental and Preventive Health Issues

USP 145. Aging–Social and Health Policy Issues

USP 147. Case Studies in Health Care Programs/Poor and Underserved Populations

USP 170. Planning Theory & Practice

USP 171. Sustainable Development

USP 172. Planning/Policy-making: U.S.-Mexican Border Region

USP 173. History of Urban Planning and Design

USP 179. Urban Design, Theory, and Practice

USP 180. Transportation Planning

USP 190. Senior Honors Seminar

USP 192. GIS for Urban and Community Planning

USP 193. San Diego Community Research

Anthropology (ANBI) 132/Biology (BIEB) 176. Conservation and the Human Predicament

Economics 130. Public Policy

Economics 131. Economics of the Environment

Economics 133. Housing Policy

Economics 138A-B. Economics of Health

Economics 180. Real Estate Finance

Envi 110. Environmental Law

History (HITO) 121. Geographic Information Systems for Historians and Social Scientists

Philosophy 163. Bio-Medical Ethics

Philosophy 165. Professional Ethics

Political Science 150A. Politics of Immigration

Political Science 150B. Politics of Immigration: Research Seminar

Political Science 160AB. Introduction to Policy Analysis

Political Science 162. Environmental Policy

Political Science 168. Policy Assessment

Sociology B/117. Language, Culture, and Education

Sociology C/126. Social Organization of Education

Sociology C/135. Medical Sociology

Sociology C/136A. Sociology of Mental Illness: An Historical Approach

Sociology C/136B. Sociology of Mental Illness in Contemporary Society

Sociology C/141. Crime and Society

TEP 130. Public Service: Practicum in Learning

The Minor Program

The urban studies and planning minor consists of seven courses in urban studies and planning, selected with the prior approval of a faculty adviser. Students who wish to minor in urban studies may do so by taking any two courses from among the lower-division sequence and the upper-division foundation courses, and five upper-division courses from among those that serve the USP major. All courses must be taken for a letter grade and students must earn at least C– in each course used for the minor.

Courses

Lower-Division

1. History of US Urban Communities (4)
This course charts the development of urban communities across the United States both temporally and geographically. It examines the patterns of cleavage, conflict, convergence of interest, and consensus that have structured urban life. Social, cultural, and economic forces will be analyzed for the roles they have played in shaping the diverse communities of America's cities.

2. Urban World System (4)
Examines cities and the environment in a global context. Emphasizes how the world's economy and the earth's ecology are increasingly interdependent. Focuses on biophysical and ethicosocial concerns rooted in the contemporary division of labor among cities, Third World industrialization, and the post-industrial transformation of U.S. cities.

3. The City and Social Theory (4)
An introduction to the sociological study of cities, focusing on urban society in the United States. Students in the course will examine theoretical approaches to the study of urban life; social stratification in the city; urban social and cultural systems–ethnic communities, suburbia, family life in the city, religion, art, and leisure.

Upper-Division

101. Introduction to Policy Analysis (4)
(Same as Political Science 160AA.) This course will explore the process by which the preferences of individuals are converted into public policy. Also included will be an examination of the complexity of policy problems, methods for designing better policies, and a review of tools used by analysts and policy makers. Prerequisite: upper-division standing or consent of instructor.

102. Urban Economics (4)
(Same as Economics 135.) Urban economic problems and public policies to deal with them. Prerequisite: Economics 1A-B or 2A-B.

103. American Cities in the Twentieth Century (4)
(Same as HIUS 148.)This course surveys changes in U.S. cities since about 1900. Case studies of individual cities illustrate the social, political, and environmental consequences of rapid urban expansion, as well as the ways in which "urban problems" have been understood historically. Prerequisite: upper-division standing or consent of instructor.

107. Urban Politics (4)
(Same as Political Science 102E.) This survey course focuses upon the following six topics: the evolution of urban politics since the mid-nineteenth century; the urban fiscal crisis; federal/urban relationships; the "new" politics; urban power structure and leadership; and selected contemporary policy issues such as downtown redevelopment, poverty, and race.

109. California Government and Politics (4)
(Same as Political Science 103A.) This survey course explores six topics: 1) the state's political history; 2) campaigning, the mass media, and elections; 3) actors and institutions in the making of state policy; 4) local government; 5) contemporary policy issues; e.g., Proposition 13, school desegration, crime, housing and land use, transportation, water; 6) California's role in national politics. Prerequisite: upper division standing

110. Advanced Topics in Urban Politics (4)
(Same as Political Science 102J.) Building upon the introductory urban politics course, the advanced topics course explores issues such as community power, minority empowerment, and the politics of growth. A research paper is required. Students wishing to fulfill the paper requirement with field research should enroll in the subsequent Political Science 102JJ course offered Summer Session II. Prerequisites: upper division standing, consent of instructor.

111. Field Research in Urban Politics (4)
(Same as Political Science 102JJ.) To be taken with the approval of the Political Science 102J instructor, this course allows students to do original field research on topics in urban politics. This course is offered in Summer Session II subsequent to a spring 102J course. May not be used to fulfill any major or minor requirements in politics science or urban studies and planning. Prerequisites: USP 110/Political Science 102J and consent of instructor.

112. The Amereican Welfare State (4)
(Same as Political Science 166F.) This course examines the transformation of the American welfare state in the twentieth century. Topics include Progressivism, the New Deal and Great Society; Reagan-era retrenchment; race, gender and social policy, and policy devolution to state and local governments. Prerequisite: upper-division standing.

124. Land Use Planning (4)
Introduction to land use planning in the United States: zoning and subdivision, regulation, growth management, farmland preservation, environmental protection, and comprehensive planning. Prerequisite: upper-division standing or consent of instructor.

129. Research Methods: Studying Racial and Ethnic Communities (4)
(Same as ETHN 190.) The course offers students the basic research methods with which to study ethnic and racial communities. The various topics to be explored include human and physical geography, transportation, employment, economic structure, cultural values, housing, health, education, and intergroup relations. Prerequisite: upper-division standing or consent of instructor.

130. Field Work in Racial and Ethnic Communities (4)
(Same as ETHN 107.) This is a research course examining social, economic, and political issues in ethnic and racial communities through field work. Topics are examined through a variety of research methods which may include interviews and archival, library, and historical research. Prerequisite: upper-division standing.

133. Social Inequality and Public Policy (4)
(Same as SOC C/152.) Primary focus on understanding and analyzing poverty and public policy. Analysis of how current debates and public policy initiatives mesh with alternative social scientific explanations of poverty. Prerequisite: upper-division standing.

135B. Black Politics and Protest Since 1941 (4)
Discussion of black social, political, and intellectual experiences since the publication of Richard Wright's Native Son. Close examination of blacks' involvement in and relationships to Second World War, Cold War, Civil Rights Movement, Black Power Movement, Reagan Revolution, and Underclass Debate. Prerequisite: upper-division standing or consent of instructor.

136. Labor Market Inequality in Los Angeles and the Border Region (4)
(Same as SOC C/148M.) Focus on the changing labor force and occupational structure of Los Angeles and the Mexican border. We apply theoretical work to recent changes, with special attention to immigrant and minority employment, economic restructuring, and changes in the international division of labor. Prerequisite: upper-division standing or consent of instructor.

137. Housing and Community Development Policy and Practice (4)
This course considers the history, theory, and practice of U.S. housing and community development. It examines how the public, private, and nonprofit sectors shape and implement planning and policy decisions at the federal, state, local and neighborhood levels. Prerequisite: upper-division standing.

143. The U.S. Health Care System (4)
This course will provide an overview of the organization of health care within the context of the community with emphasis on the political, social, and cultural influences. It is concerned with the structure, objectives, and trends of major health and health-related programs in the United States to include sponsorship, financing, training and utilization of health
personnel. Prerequisite: upper-division standing or consent of instructor. (Offered winter quarter.)

144. Environmental and Preventive Health Issues (4)
This course will analyze needs of populations, highlighting current major public health problems such as chronic and communicable diseases, environmental hazards of diseases, psychiatric problems and additional diseases, new social mores affecting health maintenance, consumer health awareness and health practices, special needs of economically and socially disadvantaged populations. The focus is on selected areas of public and environmental health, namely: epidemiology, preventive services in family health, communicable and chronic disease control, and occupational health. Prerequisite: upper-division standing or consent of instructor. (Offered fall quarter.)

145. Aging–Social and Health Policy Issues (4)
This course will provide a brief introduction to the nature and problems of aging, with emphasis on socioeconomic and health status; determinants of priorities of social and health policies will be examined through analysis of the structure and organization of selected programs for the elderly. Field visits will constitute part of the course. Prerequisite: upper-division standing. (Offered spring quarter.)

147. Case Studies in Health Care Programs/Poor and Underserved Population (4)
The purpose of this course is to identify the special health needs of low income and underserved populations and to review their status of care, factors influencing the incidence of disease and health problems, and political and legislative measures related to access and the provision of care. Selected current programs and policies that address the health care needs of selected underserved populations such as working poor, inner city populations, recent immigrants, and persons with severe disabling mental illnesses will be studied. Offered in alternate years. Prerequisite: upper-division standing or consent of instructor. (Not offered 2001-2002.)

158. City and Society in Anthropological Theory (4)
(Same as ANRG 118.) Although cities are fundamental sites of emergent social and cultural forms, the anthropological study of urban society remains problematic. The course addresses this problem, examining issues of complexity, revolution, nation, utopia, and modernity related to city life and social theory. Prerequisite: upper-division standing.

165. History of the American Suburb (4)
(Same as HIUS 147.) This seminar explores the development of suburbs in America, from the early nineteenth-century to the contemporary era. Topics include suburban formation, class, ethnic and racial dimensions, government influences, social life, and cultural responses to suburbia. The class will explore influences, social life, and cultural responses to suburbia. The class will explore competing theories of suburbanization as it surveys the major literature. Prerequisite: upper-division standing.

166. History of San Diego (4)
A lecture-discussion course that surveys the social, political, economic, cultural and environmental history of the San Diego region from pre-colonial times to the present, with emphasis on the urban development that has occurred since 1900. Prerequisite: upper-division standing.

170. Planning Theory and Practice (4)
Examines urban and regional planning theory and practice from an ecological, historical, and comparative perspective. Focuses on contributions of political ecology, utopianism, anarchism, bioregionalism, economics, and ethics. Identifies current planning strategies that aim to link economy, ecology, and community in sustainable development. Prerequisite: upper-division standing. (Not offered in 2001-2002.)

171. Sustainable Development (4)
Sustainable development is a concept invoked by an increasingly wide range of scholars, activists, and organizations dedicated to promoting environmentally sound approaches to economic development. This course critically examines the diverse, often contradictory, interests in sustainability. It provides a transdisciplinary overview of emergent theories and practices. Prerequisite: upper-division standing.

172. Planning/Policy-making: U.S.-Mexican Border Region (4)
Course examines globalization and key regional/urban policy issues facing U.S.-Mexico border zone, including industrialization, urban sprawl, environmental management, trade and infrastructure planning, social policy, transportation; focus on problems in the San Diego-Baja California region. Prerequisite: upper-division standing.

173. History of Urban Planning and Design (4)
The analysis of the evolution of city designs over time; study of the forces that influence the form and content of a city: why cities change; comparison of urban planning and architecture in Europe and the United States. Prerequisite: upper-division standing.

179. Urban Design, Theory, and Practice (4)
Various urban design methods will be presented. Students will be introduced to the roles of the urban designer, preparing schematic proposals and performance statements, identifying opportunities for and constraints on designers. Each student will prepare a practical exercise in urban design. Prerequisite: upper-division standing.

180.Transportation Planning (4)
Introduction to the history and current state of urban transportation planning, including the relationship between transportation and urban form; role of automotive, mass transit, and alternative modes; methods for transportation systems analysis; decision-making, regulatory, and financing mechanisms; and public attitudes. Prerequisite: upper-division standing.

186. Urban Field Work Seminar (6)
Introduces students to the theory and practice of social research. Examines the structuring of inquiry and observation, including nonobtrusive measures, interviews, and participant observations. Introduces techniques for logging data, including field notes and filing systems. The requirements of the course include both archival and field research assignments. During the second half of USP 186, students must complete five weeks (fifty hours) of the ten week (100 hour) internship requirement of the senior sequence. Prerequisites: USP major and senior status.

187. Urban Studies Internships (6)
Students during the first five weeks of USP 187 continue the internship begun in USP 186, spending ten hours per week as interns with a local public or private agency of their choice. The course provides a framework in which students examine the theoretical as well as practical aspect of their internship's experience. The final requirement calls for a senior research project. Prerequisite: USP 186.

190. Senior Honors Seminar (4)
Each student enrolled will be required to write an honors essay, a substantial research paper on a current urban policy issue, under the supervision of a member of the faculty. Most often the essay will be based on their previous fieldwork courses and internship. This essay and other written exercises, as well as class participation, will be the basis of the final grade for the course. The seminar will rotate from year to year among the faculty in urban studies and planning. Prerequisites: USP 186, USP 187, major GPA 3.5, and permission of instructor.

192. GIS for Urban and Community Planning (4)
Introduction to Geographic Information Systems and using GIS to make decisions: acquiring data and organizing data in useful formats; demographic mapping; geocoding. Selected exercises examine crime data, political campaigns, banking and environmental planning, patterns of bank lending and finance. Prerequisite: upper-division standing.

193. San Diego Community Research (6)
Using the San Diego region as a case study, students will be introduced to the process of collecting, evaluating, and presenting urban and regional data using a variety of methods including aggregate data analysis, historical research, ethnography, and GIS mapping. Prerequisite: consent of instructor.

194. Research Seminar in Washington, D.C. (4)
(Same as Cognitive Science 194, Communication 194, Earth Science 194, History 193, Political Science 194, Sociology E/194.) Course attached to six-unit internship taken by students participating in the UCDC program. Involves weekly seminar meetings with faculty and teaching assistant and a substantial research paper. Prerequisite: department approval. Participating in UCDC program.

195. Teaching Apprentice–Undergraduate (2-4)
Introduction to teaching activities associated with course. Responsibilities include preparing reading materials assigned by the instructor, attending course lectures, meeting at least one hour per week with the instructor, assisting instructor in grading, and preparing a summary report to the instructor. Prerequisites: consent of instructor and an A in the course in which the student plans to assist.

198. Directed Group Study (2-4)
Directed group study on a topic or in a field not included in the regular departmental curriculum by special arrangement with a faculty member. Prerequisites: upper-division standing and consent of instructor.