Bachelor of Arts: Urban Studies
It is recommended that students planning an urban studies major take
Environmental Science 110R, Environmental Science 210, or Geology 220 to satisfy part of the natural sciences area general degree requirements of the College. Architectural Studies110 should be elected as one of the humanities area courses. In preparation for the core requirements of the urban studies major, the student should take Economics 201, Sociology 101, Geography 105 and Psychology 210.
Requirements (48 hours)
Core Courses (24 hours)
All urban studies majors are required to take the following core
requirements:
- Urban Studies 101 Introduction to Urban Studies
- Geography 309 Urban Geography
- Statistics 236 Applied Statistics for Public Administration
-or-
Sociology 363 Introduction to Statistics in Sociology/Criminal Justice
- Urban Planning and Design 260 History of Urban Planning
-or-
History 300B Special Studies: Kansas City History
- Political Science 438 Urban Politics
-or-
Political Science 328 State and Local Government
-or-
Economics 336 Kansas City Economy
-or-
Economics 458 Urban Economics
- Sociology 362 Methods of Sociological Research
-or-
Urban Planning and Design 300 Quantative Planning Methods and Techniques
- Economics 314 Race, Class and Gender: Theory, History and Policy
-or-
Sociology 322 Race and Ethnic Relations
-or-
Political Science 310 African Americans and the Political Process
- Urban Studies 499WI Urban Studies Seminar
Concentration (18 hours)
In addition to the core requirements, 18 hours must be taken in an area of concentration:
- Community Development and Housing
- Community Organization and Social Services
- Urban Policy/Management
In consultation with an adviser, selected by the student or designated by the
program director, students are expected to develop a program (reflecting
interest and applicability to career goals) in one area of concentration: a required course and five electives from those listed
under the concentration chosen. Students may not double count any core courses toward the 18 hours.
Community Development and Housing Concentration
Required Course:
- Urban Studies 340
Neighborhood and Community Development
-or-
Urban Planning and Design 340 Neighborhood and Community Development
Electives (choose five):
- Art & Art History 353 Design & Form of KC
- Architectural Studies 110 The Meaning of Architecture
- Architectural Studies 201 Environmental Design Studio I
- Architectural Studies 202 Environmental Design Studio II
- Economics 336 Kansas City Economy
- Geography 203 Intro to Geographic Information Systems (GIS)
- Geography 311 Economic Geography
- Geography 317 Cartography
- Geography 333 Geography Elements of Urban Planning
- Geography 437 Population Geography
- Sociology 331 Urban Anthropology
- Sociology 337 Community Development in Urban America
- Sociology 431 Social Organization of the City
- Urban Planning and Design 203 GIS for Urban Planning
- Urban Planning and Design 260 History of Planning and Urban Design
- Urban Planning and Design 270 Urban Planning Theory and Practice
- Urban Planning and Design 310 Planning & Design Studio I
- Urban Planning and Design 312 Planning & Design Studio II
- Urban Planning and Design 420 Transportation Planning
- Urban Planning and Design 430 Planning for Historic Preservation
- Urban Planning and Design 450 Planning Law & Practices
- Urban Planning and Design 472 Urban Redevelopment
Community Organization and Social Services Concentration
Required Course:
- Anthropology 331 Urban Anthropology
-or-
Sociology 331 Urban Anthropology
Electives (choose five):
- Criminal Justice and Criminology 101 Introduction to Criminal Justice
- Criminal Justice and Criminology 317 Policies of Drug Use & Control
- Economics 314 Race, Class, and Gender: Theory, History, and Policy
- Geography 203 Intro to Geographic Information Systems (GIS)
- Geography 437 Population Geography
- History 353 Immigrants and Immigration in American History
- Psychology 322 Child Psychology
- Psychology 406P Introduction to Developmental Disabilities
- Psychology 407P Developmental Disabilities and Community Life
- Psychology 430 Introduction to Community Psychology
- Sociology 211 Social & Psychological Development
- Sociology 302 Social Stratification
- Sociology 322 Race and Ethnic Relations
- Sociology 331 Urban Anthropology
- Sociology 335R Introduction to Social Work
- Sociology 337 Community Development in Urban America
- Sociology 431 Social Organization of the City
Urban Policy/Management Concentration
Required Course
- Public Administration 415 Issues in Public Administration
Electives (choose five):
- Economics 435 Public Finance
- Economics 437 State and Local Government Finance
- Economics 450R Regional Economics
- Economics 458 Urban Economics
- Geography 203 Introduction to Geographis Information Systems (GIS)
- Geography 311 Economic Geography
- Geography 333 Geographic Elements of Urban Planning
- Geography 437 Population Geography
- Philosophy 450WI Ethics and Government
- Political Science 314 Politics of Kansas City Metro
- Political Science 328 State and Local Government
- Psychology 403 Environmental Psychology
- Public Administration 310 Introduction to Public Administration
- Public Administration 497 Urban Environmental Policy
- Urban Planning and Design 203 GIS for Urban Planning
- Urban Planning and Design 270 Urban Planning Theory and Practice
- Urban Planning and Design 420 Transportation Planning
- Urban Planning and Design 432 Urban Environmental Planning and Design
- Urban Planning and Design 450 Planning Law and Practice
Internship (6 hours)
In developing internships, students should contact one of the program's participating faculty members or the urban studies director.
The student is expected to participate in work activities in the organization
and receive instruction from agency staff. For each three hours of internship
the student must spend 120 hours on site. In addition, the student is evaluated academically.
The internship may be repeated up to a maximum of three semesters and should be taken as Urban Studies 495 Urban Studies Internship. Other internship courses may satisfy this requirement with approval of the adviser.
Summary
During the first 60 hours of coursework, students are advised to fulfill
prerequisites for core courses and for required courses in the urban studies
concentration they choose. At the same time, students should fulfill general
graduation requirements, where possible, through completion of courses listed
under General Degree Requirements in Arts and Sciences.
When prerequisites and general requirements have been satisfied, students must
complete for the urban studies major:
- Core course requirements: 24 hours
- Concentration requirements: 18 hours
- Internship: 6 hours
Total hours required for the
major in urban studies: 48
