Urban Studies Courses
Urban Studies: URB
Lower-Division Courses
URB 301. Introduction to Urban Studies.
Same as Geography 307C. A multidisciplinary study of cities and complex urban environments; historical and contemporary issues from both national and international perspectives. Three lecture hours a week for one semester.
URB 305. Introductory Topics in Urban Studies.
An introduction to urban studies within the framework of different disciplines. Topics include urban history, urban education, politics and governance, economics, design and planning, and society and culture. Three lecture hours a week for one semester. May be repeated for credit when the topics vary. Prerequisite: Varies with the topic.
URB 315. Urban Studies Research Methods.
An introduction to urban studies research methodologies. Includes sources of urban data, the use of the library in urban research, formulating research questions, research design, methods commonly used in urban research, the use of computers to store and manipulate quantitative urban data, and an introduction to data analysis and theoretical and practical applications of urban research. Three lecture hours a week for one semester. Prerequisite: Mathematics 408C or 408K with a grade of at least C-; Mathematics 316 and Urban Studies 301.
Upper-Division Courses
URB 320M. Modernism in American Design and Architecture.
Same as American Studies 330 and Art History 339Q. A historical survey of artifacts, buildings, and urban environments, focusing on responses to machine-age civilization. Three lecture hours a week for one semester. Only one of the following may be counted: American Studies 330, Art History 339Q, Urban Studies 352 (Topic 5), 320M. Prerequisite: Upper-division standing.
URB 320T. The Culture of Cities.
Same as American Studies 370 (Topic 13) and Geography 356T (Topic 1). Examines the social, geographical, and cultural evolution of the United States from a rural and small-town society to an urban and suburban nation. Subjects may include the segregation of public and private space; the formation of urban subcultures organized by gender, work, race, religion, and sexuality; social and spatial divisions between rich and poor and native-born and immigrant; and the increasing importance of "cultural capital" in reshaping urban politics and in conflicts over revitalization and gentrification. Three lecture hours a week for one semester. Only one of the following may be counted: American Studies 370 (Topic 13), Geography 356T (Topic 1), Urban Studies 320T, 354 (Topic 4). Prerequisite: Upper-division standing.
URB 321D. Development Economics.
Same as Economics 333K. Introduction to theories of economic development. Economic analysis of leading issues. Three lecture hours a week for one semester. Only one of the following may be counted: Economics 333K, Urban Studies 351 (Topic 4), 321D. Prerequisite: Economics 420K or 421K with a grade of at least C-.
URB 321R. Introduction to Risk Management.
Same as Risk Management 357E. Principles of risk management for individuals and organizations, financial aspects of insurance companies and markets, industry structure, managerial aspects of underwriting and pricing, and public policy issues. Three lecture hours a week for one semester. Only one of the following may be counted: Risk Management 357E, Urban Studies 321R, 351 (Topic: Intro to Risk Management), 351 (Topic 6).
URB 321U. Urban Sociology.
Same as Sociology 321U. Introduction to the study of the city and the suburbs. Specific focus on inequality in urban space, with emphasis on three major United States cities (New York, Chicago, and Los Angeles) and on several third world cities. Three lecture hours a week for one semester. Only one of the following may be counted: Sociology 321K (Topic: Urban Sociology), 321U, Urban Studies 354 (Topic 11), 321U. Prerequisite: Upper-division standing.
URB 322C. Vienna: Memory and the City.
Same as American Studies 370 (Topic 41), European Studies 346 (Topic 5), and History 362C. Examines the ways in which cultural memory has shaped, and continues to shape, urban life in Vienna, Austria. Three lecture hours a week for one semester. Only one of the following may be counted: American Studies 370 (Topic 41), European Studies 346 (Topic 5), Geography 356T (Topic: Vienna: Memory and the City), Germanic, Scandinavian, and Dutch Studies 360 (Topic: Vienna: Memory and the City), History 362C, 362G (Topic 2), Urban Studies 322C, 354 (Topic 7). Prerequisite: Upper-division standing.
URB 322E. Urban Economics.
Same as Economics 334K. Economic analysis of urban areas, emphasizing current problems, such as spatial concentration of poverty, lack of access to jobs and financial services, and transportation systems. Examines the role of policy in addressing these problems. Three lecture hours a week for one semester. Only one of the following may be counted: Economics 334K, Urban Studies 322E, 351 (Topic 2). Prerequisite: Economics 420K or 421K with a grade of at least C-.
URB 322P. Anthropology of Infrastructure.
Same as Anthropology 323R. Explore how infrastructure creates relationships between resources, energy, built form, information, and people. Three lecture hours a week for one semester. Only one of the following may be counted: Anthropology 323R, 324L (Topic: Anthropology of Infrastructure), Urban Studies 322P, 352 (Topic: Anthropology of Infrastructure). Prerequisite: Upper-division standing.
URB 322T. Texas, 1900 to the Present.
Same as History 320F and Mexican American Studies 320F. Examine the steady dissociation of Texas from its Old South status to a transitional state and a power in national politics. Three lecture hours a week for one semester. Only one of the following may be counted: History 320F, 320R, Mexican American Studies 320F, 374 (Topic 16), Urban Studies 322T, 353 (Topic 2). Prerequisite: Upper-division standing.
URB 323S. Building the Sustainable City.
Same as Sociology 323S. Three lecture hours a week for one semester. Only one of the following may be counted: Sociology 321K (Topic: Building the Sustainable City), 323S, Urban Studies 323S, 352 (Topic: Building the Sustainable City), 352 (Topic 7). Prerequisite: Upper-division standing.
URB 324C. Urban Publics.
Same as Geography 356T (Topic 5). The concept of the public in the city and how it has shifted over time along the lines of gender, ethnicity, race, and class. Examines contemporary struggles over defining the urban public and how those struggles are linked to social, cultural, political, and economic forces. Subjects include uses of public space, the public sphere, eminent domain, urban politics, civic engagement, and political participation. Three lecture hours a week for one semester. Only one of the following may be counted: Geography 356T (Topic 5), Urban Studies 324C, 354 (Topic: Urban Publics). Prerequisite: Upper-division standing.
URB 324G. Global Cities in the United States.
Same as American Studies 370 (Topic 64). Engage with the history of the global city at various levels, using text from disciplines including history, geography, anthropology, and sociology, as well as primary sources, images, readings, and films. Define the global city in the past and present and explore questions of race, class, gender, the politics of space, the culture of empire, and the changing shape of U.S. capitalism. Three lecture hours a week for one semester. Only one of the following may be counted: American Studies 370 (Topic: Global Cities in the U.S.), 370 (Topic 64), Urban Studies 324G. Prerequisite: Upper-division standing.
URB 325. Special Topics in Urban Studies.
Three lecture hours a week for one semester. Additional hours may be required for some topics. May be repeated for credit when the topics vary. Prerequisite: Varies with the topic.
URB 325E. The Healthy, Livable City.
Same as Geography 325E. Explore the design of the built environment and its potential for addressing and preventing many childhood and adult health concerns in the United States. Examine how to create healthy, walkable, vital communities for all. Three lecture hours a week for one semester. Only one of the following may be counted: Geography 325E, Geography 356 (Topic: The Healthy, Livable City), Urban Studies 325E, 352 (Topic: The Healthy, Livable City). Prerequisite: Upper-division standing.
URB 325L. Sociology of Criminal Justice.
Same as Sociology 325L. Examination of the police, courts, and prisons: how they work, their impact on those who pass through them. Introduction to the American criminal justice system, its policies and procedures. The primary focus will be on the roles and functions of the police, the courts, and corrections, with a special emphasis on how well or not so well the system operates. Three lecture hours a week for one semester. Only one of the following may be counted: Sociology 325L, Urban Studies 325L, 354 (Topic 12). Prerequisite: Upper-division standing.
URB 325R. Introduction to Real Estate and Urban Land Development.
Same as Real Estate 358. An examination of the principles of real estate and urban land economics. Subjects include investment, valuation, financing, and public policy in real estate and mortgage markets. Three lecture hours a week for one semester. Only one of the following may be counted: Real Estate 358, Urban Studies 325R, 351 (Topic: Introduction to Real Estate and Urban Land Development), 351 (Topic 5). Prerequisite: Accounting 310F or 311 or 311H; and Finance 357 or 357H.
URB 326F. Berlin.
Same as Comparative Literature 323 (Topic 44), European Studies 347 (Topic 34), German, Scandinavian, and Dutch Studies 361M, and History 361F. Three lecture hours a week for one semester. Only one of the following may be counted: Comparative Literature 323 (Topic: Berlin), 323 (Topic 44), European Studies 347 (Topic: Berlin), 347 (Topic 34), German, Scandinavian, and Dutch Studies 360 (Topic: Berlin), 361M, History 361F, 362G (Topic: Berlin), 362G (Topic 17), Urban Studies 326F, 353 (Topic: Berlin), 353 (Topic 7). Prerequisite: Upper-division standing.
URB 327D. African American History since 1860.
Same as African and African Diaspora Studies 357D, American Studies 321F, and History 357D. Survey of the history of African Americans in the United States from 1860 to the present: Emancipation, Reconstruction politics, migration and urbanization, and the evolution of African American culture; kinds of sources and methods valuable for analyzing African American life and culture. Three lecture hours a week for one semester. Only one of the following may be counted: African and African Diaspora Studies 357D, American Studies 321 (Topic: African American History since 1860), 321F, History 357D, Urban Studies 327D, 353 (Topic 1). Prerequisite: Upper-division standing.
URB 327U. Urban Unrest.
Same as African and African Diaspora Studies 360F, American Studies 321 (Topic 8), Anthropology 324L (Topic 46), and Asian American Studies 330G. Analysis of the roots of urban unrest, exploring a range of origins: joblessness, state violence, white flight, backlash against civil rights gains, new immigration, and interracial strife. Beyond race and class, subjects include exploring unrest as a mode of pushing the normative boundaries of gender and sexuality in public space. Course material will draw from film, literature, history, geography, and anthropology. Three lecture hours a week for one semester. Only one of the following may be counted: African and African Diaspora Studies 360F, 372F (Topic 13), American Studies 321 (Topic 8), Anthropology 324L (Topic 46), Asian American Studies 330 (Topic 6), 330G, Urban Studies 327U, 354 (Topic 14). Prerequisite: Upper-division standing.
URB 328C. Principles of Physical Planning.
Same as Community and Regional Planning 369K. Introductory course in the physical dimension of urban planning. Three lecture hours a week for one semester. Only one of the following may be counted: Architecture 369J, Urban Studies 328C, 352 (Topic 6), or Community Regional Planning 369K. Prerequisite: For students in the School of Architecture: Architecture 333 with a grade of at least C and upper-division standing; for others, upper-division standing.
URB 328E. Environmental History of North America.
Same as American Studies 329 and History 350R (Topic 7). The history of humanity's influence on the plants, animals, microlife, soils, water, and air of North America, and vice versa, from the arrival of the proto-Indians to the contemporary environmental crisis. Three lecture hours a week for one semester. Only one of the following may be counted: American Studies 329, History 350R (Topic 7), Urban Studies 328E, 353 (Topic 5). Prerequisite: Upper-division standing and six semester hours of coursework in history.
URB 328L. Latino Urbanism in the United States City.
Same as Mexican American Studies 350F. Three lecture hours a week for one semester. Only one of the following may be counted: Architecture 327R (Topic: Latino Urbanism in US City), Mexican American Studies 350F, 374 (Topic: Latino Urbanism in US City), Urban Studies 328L, 354 (Topic: Latino Urbanism in US City). Prerequisite: Upper-division standing.
URB 328S. Human Behavior and Social Environment.
Same as Social Work 327. Restricted to social work majors. Explore the biopsychosocial and cultural functioning of human beings across the life span using an ecological-systems lens and major developmental theories as a framework to guide the processes of assessment, intervention, and evaluation. Discuss the impact of the family, social groups, organizations, communities, and society on individuals during these stages of the life span. Examine empirically-based research reflecting a risk and resilience perspective in making client assessments and recommending appropriate interventions. Three lecture hours and one laboratory hour a week for one semester. Only one of the following may be counted: Social Work 327, Urban Studies 354 (Topic: Human Behavior and Social Environment), 354 (Topic 10), Urban Studies 328S Prerequisite: For social work majors, Social Work 310, 312, 313, 318, and 325 with a grade of at least C; for others, upper-division standing.
URB 330F. Urban Experiences In East Asia.
Same as Asian Studies 361E. Explores the process of urbanization in East and Southeast Asia focusing on the politics of capital accumulation and distribution. Three lecture hours a week for one semester. Only one of the following may be counted: Asian Studies 361 (Topic: Urban Experiences In East Asia), 361E. Urban Studies 354 (Topic: Urban Experiences In East Asia), 330F. Prerequisite: Upper-division standing.
URB 330G. The Global City.
Same as African and African Diaspora Studies 351, American Studies 324E, and Anthropology 324S. Three lecture hours a week for one semester. Only one of the following may be counted: African and African Diaspora Studies 351, 374D (Topic: The Global City), American Studies 321 (Topic: The Global City), 324E, Anthropology 324L (Topic: The Global City), 324S, Urban Studies 330G, 353 (Topic: The Global City). Prerequisite: Upper-division standing.
URB 332D. Human Health and the Environment.
Same as Geography 322D. Introduction to environmental health concepts. Examine current events to explore the relationship between environment and health and whether an environmental condition is or is not an important threat to health. Discuss the complexity of determining "proof" in this field. Three lecture hours a week for one semester. Only one of the following may be counted: Geography 322D, 356T (Topic 9), Urban Studies 332D, 350 (Topic 2). Prerequisite: Upper-division standing.
URB 337. The Modern American City.
Same as Architecture 350R (Topic 1) and Geography 337. Issues facing residents of United States cities, such as transportation and housing, poverty and crime, metropolitan finance, environmental and architectural design; historical/comparative urban evolution. Three lecture hours a week for one semester. Only one of the following may be counted: Architecture 350R (Topic 1), Geography 337, Urban Studies 337, 352 (Topic 1). Prerequisite: For students in the School of Architecture, upper-division standing; for others, upper-division standing and consent of instructor.
URB 338S. Society of Modern Mexico.
Same as Latin American Studies 325 (Topic 1) and Sociology 335. Family, community, industrialization, and urbanization in modern Mexico. Three lecture hours a week for one semester. Only one of the following may be counted: Latin American Studies 325 (Topic 1), Sociology 335, Urban Studies 338S, 354 (Topic 2). Prerequisite: Upper-division standing.
URB 340. Contemporary Cultural Geography.
Same as Geography 336. Recent theoretical developments in cultural geography, with a focus on landscapes and the everyday practices that imbue them with meaning; the ways those meanings are contested and are the foci of struggle; and how the relationship between culture and space plays a central role in the social construction of identity. Three lecture hours a week for one semester. Only one of the following may be counted: Geography 336, Urban Studies 340, 354 (Topic 8). Prerequisite: Upper-division standing.
URB 342C. Water and the Roman City.
Same as Classical Civilization 340 (Topic 11). Examine Roman urban development, design, and adaption from the perspective of hydrology, hydraulics, and cult and culture. Three lecture hours a week for one semester. Only one of the following may be counted: Classical Civilization 340 (Topic: Water and the Roman City), 340 (Topic 11), Urban Studies 342C, 353 (Topic: Water and the Roman City). Prerequisite: Upper-division standing.
URB 350. Topics in Urban Politics and Governance.
The basic political and administrative structures of cities and metropolitan regions, including problems associated with local and regional government. Three lecture hours a week for one semester. May be repeated for credit when the topics vary. Prerequisite: Varies with the topic.
URB 351. Topics in Urban Economics.
Urban economics and the application of economic analysis to urban concerns, including economic development, urbanization, urban form, public finance, and competition. Three lecture hours a week for one semester. May be repeated for credit when the topics vary. Prerequisite: Varies with the topic.
URB 352. Topics in Urban Design and Planning.
Issues concerning the built environment and urban infrastructure, environmental sustainability, and the public policy framework designed to manage the challenges presented by these issues. Three lecture hours a week for one semester. May be repeated for credit when the topics vary. Prerequisite: Varies with the topic.
Topic 4: Economy/Value/Quality of Life. Architecture 350R (Topic 4) and Urban Studies 352 (Topic 4) may not both be counted.
URB 352C. American Dilemmas.
Same as Sociology 336C and Women's and Gender Studies 345 (Topic 26). Examination of critical American social problems, including problems in the economic, political, and health care systems, as well as inequities based on income, gender, and race. Exploration of how these problems are a natural outgrowth of the existing social structure. Three lecture hours a week for one semester. Only one of the following may be counted: Sociology 336C, Urban Studies 352C, 354 (Topic 13), Women's and Gender Studies 345 (Topic 26). Prerequisite: Upper-division standing.
URB 353. Topics in Urban History.
The historical evolution of cities, contemporary urban development trends, and the links between social development and physical form. Three lecture hours a week for one semester. May be repeated for credit when the topics vary. Prerequisite: Varies with the topic.
URB 354. Topics in Urban Society and Culture.
Topics on the social and cultural diversity within cities; social policies; and the sociocultural impact of the media and other institutions on urban development. Three lecture hours a week for one semester. May be repeated for credit when the topics vary. Prerequisite: Varies with the topic.
Topic 9: Negotiating Urbanization: Case Studies in Turkey. Same as Middle Eastern Studies 341 (Topic 6). Examines local and transnational forces that have driven and continue to drive contemporary urbanization in Turkey. Focuses on key issues that emerge in rapidly growing cities of the developing world, such as growing income inequality and socioeconomic exclusion, environmental challenges, and rising violence. Only one of the following may be counted: Middle Eastern Studies 326 (Topic: Negotiating Urbanization in the Middle East: Case Studies in Turkey), 341 (Topic 6), Turkish 372 (Topic: Negotiating Urbanization in the Middle East: Case Studies in Turkey), Urban Studies 354 (Topic: Negotiating Urbanization in the Middle East: Case Studies in Turkey), 354 (Topic 9).
URB 355U. Urban Politics.
Same as Government 370U. Examine politics in American cities. Three lecture hours a week for one semester. Only one of the following may be counted: Government 370L (Topic: Urban Politics), 370L (Topic 11), 370U, Urban Studies 350 (Topic 1), 355U. Prerequisite: Six semester hours of lower-division coursework in Government.
URB 360. Internship and Service Learning.
Same as Geography 340U. Internship experience in an urban studies-related public or nonprofit agency. The opportunity to apply the knowledge, theory, and understanding gained from courses in areas of specialization to urban issues in a professional setting. Includes an academic service-learning component. Approximately five to ten hours a week for one semester. Only one of the following may be counted: Geography 340U, 356T (DIRECTED INTRNSHPS IN URB STDS), Urban Studies 360. Prerequisite: Upper-division standing; and Urban Studies 301 and 315.
URB 370. Senior Project.
Students identify an urban issue, develop a position paper, and work closely with a faculty adviser on a project. Students may use text or other media (such as video or portfolio) to present their arguments. The equivalent of three lecture hours a week for one semester. Prerequisite: Upper-division standing, and Urban Studies 301, 315, and 360 with a grade of at least C in each.
URB 379. Conference Course.
Supervised individual study of selected problems in urban studies. Conference course. Prerequisite: Upper-division standing and consent of instructor and the undergraduate adviser.
URB 679H. Honors Tutorial Course.
Directed reading and research or creation of an honors project, followed by the writing of a thesis. Conference course for two semesters. Prerequisite: For 679HA, admission to the Urban Studies Honors Program and consent of the urban studies adviser; for 679HB, Urban Studies 679HA.