New Curriculum (beginning with class of 2028)
The new curriculum is mandatory for majors who will graduate in 2028. Majors graduating in 2027 may choose either the current or new curriculum.
There are 12 required courses in the Urban Studies major:
- Introduction to Urban Studies
- 4 Breadth Courses
- 3 Depth Cluster Courses
- 1 Research Methods Course
- Junior Seminar
- Senior Seminar (2 semesters)
|
Intro to Urban Studies |
URBS UN1515 | Taken any time. |
| Breadth |
1 urban-focused course in each area: social, spatial, historical, ecological, cultural. |
4 courses, with 1 course fulfilling 2 areas (or 5 courses otherwise) |
| Depth Cluster | 3 courses in an area that you propose; two must be urban-focused. | Proposal for courses in consultation with the major advisor submitted by end of junior year. |
Research Methods |
1 course that explores research practices (example: Intro to GIS; Intro to Urban Ethnographies). | Taken in sophomore or junior year. |
| Junior Seminar | 1 course to build research skills. | Taken in junior year. |
| Senior Seminar | 2 semesters to design and execute a research project. | Year-long course taken in senior year. |
Please propose a cluster of three (3) classes that capture a depth area of your interest. You should consult with your major advisor (and other Urban Studies faculty, if useful) to develop this proposal. You may begin developing the proposal as soon as you declare the major, but it must be approved by your major advisor and in place by the end of your Junior year (expecting to complete the cluster over your Senior year). You should provide a coherent rationale for your cluster: describe why these three courses capture your theme. Your Depth Cluster Proposal should be about 300 words.
By depth, we intend to encourage students to follow a particular interest or area of curiosity within Urban Studies, as opposed to the Breadth Requirement which supports inquiry across multiple aspects of urban research. Some examples of depth clusters would include: Urban Planning, Urban Environments, African American Urbanism, Neighborhoods and Neighborhood Change, Housing, Sustainable Architecture, City Politics, or Global South Urbanisms.
At least two of the three courses proposed for the cluster must be primarily urban in content. Depth courses may not double-count with Breadth courses (but will likely be related to or inspired by them). Majors should also consider global diversity among their cluster courses. The Urban Studies Program envisions the development of the Depth Cluster Proposal as a conversation between major and advisor, not as a submission to be approved or denied. Please come talk to your major advisor with ideas for the cluster, prepared to discuss and adapt them as appropriate. Depending on precisely when majors propose the cluster, they may have already taken as many as two of the three courses.
The Breadth Courses list can be found here. This list is updated on an ongoing basis.
Download here.