Requirements for a Major in Urban Studies

Requirements for a Major in Urban Studies

A total of forty-four (44) credits as follows:

  1. Urban Studies 201: Introduction to Urban Studies
  2. Politics and Law 206: Urban Politics and Policy
  3. One 4 credit course that addresses Race and Ethnicity in the United States 
    1. Malcolm/Martin/Baldwin/America (Africana Studies 220)
    2. Africana Theory (Africana Studies 305)
    3. Race Thinking and Health Disparities (Africana Studies 350)
    4. Indigenous People of North America (Anthropology/Sociology 221)
    5. Race and Ethnicity in American Society (Anthropology/Sociology 331)
    6. Survey in African American Literature (English 224)
    7. Study in African American Literature (English 264)
    8. African American History (History 242)
    9. The Civil Rights Movement (History 243)
    10. African American Music (Music 118)
    11. Philosophy of Race and Racism (Philosophy 220)
    12. Faith, Health, and Justice (Religious Studies 231)
    13. Black Theology (Religious Studies topics course)
    14. Intercultural Knowledge and Competence (Urban Studies 250) 
      (other courses may fulfill this requirement, and will require permission of the Chair of Urban Studies)
  4. One methods course from the following list by the end of the junior year:
    1. GIS (ENVS/URBN 225)
    2. Social Statistics (URBN 220)
    3. Statistical Methods (PSYC 211)
    4. Statistical Analysis for Economics and Business (ECON 290)
    5. Applied Statistics for the Liberal Arts (MATH 111)
    6. Qualitative Methods in the Social Sciences (EDUC 395)
  5. One 4 credit course that has a community-engagement component from the following list:
    1. Nonprofits in the City: Health, Community, and the Voluntary Spirit (URBN 340)
    2. Community Psychology (PSYC 330)
    3. Intro to Urban Planning and Design (URBN 310)
    4. Community Development & Action (URBN 350)
    5. (other courses may fulfill this requirement, and will require permission of the Chair of Urban Studies)
  6. Urban Studies 385: Senior Research Design
  7. Urban Studies 485: Senior Capstone Seminar
  8. An additional 16 credit hours selected from a list of approved electives or other courses selected in consultation with a faculty advisor and approved by the program chair. These courses should support student interests and future goals. 

* One elective must have a global or comparative perspective.

* Only one elective may be taken at the 100 level.

*Two electives (8 credits) must be taken at the 300 or 400 level. Courses taken to complete required courses for the major (items 1-7 above) may not be used to fulfill this requirement. 

Urban Studies Electives that are regularly offered are listed below. Urban Studies elective courses may be added during the school year, including topics courses as appropriate. During registration, check Banner Web or the Urban Studies Program office for a complete list of Urban Studies electives. In consultation with a faculty advisor, students may select other courses as electives provided the courses (1) are relevant to urban institutions or issues and (2) are approved by the Chair of Urban Studies. 

Urban Studies Electives:

  • Africana Theory (Africana Studies 305)
  • Race Thinking and Health Disparities (Africana Studies 350)
  • Art and Life in Pompeii (Art History 353)
  • Race and Ethnicity in American Society (Anthropology/Sociology 331)
  • Sociology of Education (Anthropology/Sociology 341)
  • Environmental Science (Biology 120)
  • Management of Organizations (Business 361)
  • Foundations of Education (Education 201)
  • Urban Education (Education 220)
  • Race, Class, Gender, and Sexuality in Education (Education 320)
  • Environment and Society (Environmental Studies and Sciences 150)
  • African American History (History 242)
  • The Civil Rights Movement (History 243)
  • Politics of Migration (International Studies 340)
  • Public Policy Analysis (Politics and Law Science 305)
  • Community Psychology (Psychology 250)
  • Urban Geography (Urban Studies 230)
  • Intercultural Knowledge and Competence (Urban Studies 250)
  • Music and Community in Memphis (Urban Studies 262)
  • Topics in Urban Studies (Urban Studies 265)
  • Black Communities and Law Enforcement (URBN 270)
  • Intro to Urban Planning and Design (URBN 310)
  • Globalization and Cities (Urban Studies 320)
  • Asian Urbanization through Cinema (Urban Studies 330)
  • Justice and the City: Nonprofits, Community and Social Change (Urban Studies 340)
  • Urban Political Economy (Urban Studies 345)
  • Community Development & Action (Urban Studies 350)
  • Advanced Seminar in Urban Studies (Urban 365)
  • Music and Community in Memphis (Urban Studies 382)
  • Internship (Urban Studies 460)