Minor in Urban Studies

Introduction

Cities are amongst the most complex and sophisticated artifacts created by human intervention. Shaped by relationships drawn between the built environment, political institutions, historical frameworks, and technological forces, cities are critical sites where social cultural transformation and technological innovation(s) are nurtured and developed. No single discipline offers the methods, analytical tools, and knowledge base necessary to critically examine the many varied constituent elements comprising a city. The study of cities is no longer focused geographically upon the densely packed urban core, but rather requires the critical examination of the various urban environments which, through settlement and infrastructure, have and continue to shape the landscape. Demographic data indicates that urbanization is a pervasive world-wide phenomenon. Fueled by the movement of global capitol and its demand for inexpensive labor the urban landscapes of Europe, Asia, Latin America, African and the Middle East are experiencing increases population, development, and the attendant social cultural and environmental problems. The questions urban development, and the sustenance of social, cultural and natural systems are in fact global questions require comparative study and analysis of the issues through the world.

Urban Studies is the broad multi-disciplinary examination of the environmental, political, economic, socio-cultural, and aesthetic conditions affecting cities, urban life and culture. The products of this study offer the scholar, designer, and citizen insight into the development and transformation of cities. The Urban Studies minor provides a sequence of required and elective courses that offer students a greater understanding of cities through the study, analysis and critique of urban environments and the forces and processes through which they transform. The minor will be directed by Prof. Craig Barton, ceb8x@virginia.edu.

Curriculum

The curriculum of the Urban Studies minor was conceived to assist students to engage in a multi-disciplinary program of study which encompasses the historical, political, economic, cultural and technological forces affecting cities. In order to complete a minor in Urban Studies, participating students will complete a core curriculum (6 credits) and 12 credits of elective coursework, selecting at least one course from each of the 3 subject categories listed below:

· History, Culture and Society
· Design and Planning
· Environment and Technology

A list of approved elective courses offered at the School of Architecture and the College of Arts and Sciences is available under Courses. ARCH, PLAN, and LAR courses taken as a completed Urban Studies minor do not count against the limit of credits college students may take outside the College. The core curriculum includes:

ARCH 268 Lessons of the City. (offered in the Fall term) This course will introduce students to the study of cities through a multi-disciplinary examination of the public realm. Using guest lecturers from within the School and across the University, this course will broadly examine the phenomena of urbanism, the interpretation of societal and cultural values as they are embodied in the physical form of cities, and the use of various media including text (fiction and non-fiction), film, and fine art to represent urban life and environments.

ARCH 568 Topics in Urban Studies. The final core course, a capstone seminar, will focus on the examination of contemporary urban issues and is intended to help students synthesize ideas and issues promulgated in their other courses. The topics selected for examination will change from year to year reflecting the discussion of critical issues about urban life ongoing in the world beyond the University.

Advisory Committee

The Urban Studies Program Advisory Committee is comprised of University faculty members whose research and teaching is focused upon urban issues. The advisory board assists the program’s director to structure and enrich urban studies at Virginia, and to develop initiatives which encourage research and discussion about cities and urbanism. The 2005-06 Urban Studies Advisory Committee includes.

Craig Barton (director) — Architecture
Stephen Cushman — English/American Studies
Ekaterian Markova — Sociology
Daphne Spain — Urban and Environmental Planning
Elissa Rosenberg — Landscape Architecture
Olivier Zunz — History

	Home > Academics > Undergraduate Study > Minors > Minor in Urban Studies Introduction Cities are amongst the most complex and sophisticated artifacts created by human intervention. Shaped by relationships drawn between the built environment, political institutions, historical frameworks, and technological forces, cities are critical sites where social cultural transformation and technological innovation(s) are nurtured and developed. No single discipline offers the methods, analytical tools, and knowledge base necessary to critically examine the many varied constituent elements comprising a city. The study of cities is no longer focused geographically upon the densely packed urban core, but rather requires the critical examination of the various urban environments which, through settlement and infrastructure, have and continue to shape the landscape. Demographic data indicates that urbanization is a pervasive world-wide phenomenon. Fueled by the movement of global capitol and its demand for inexpensive labor the urban landscapes of Europe, Asia, Latin America, African and the Middle East are experiencing increases population, development, and the attendant social cultural and environmental problems. The questions urban development, and the sustenance of social, cultural and natural systems are in fact global questions require comparative study and analysis of the issues through the world. Urban Studies is the broad multi-disciplinary examination of the environmental, political, economic, socio-cultural, and aesthetic conditions affecting cities, urban life and culture. The products of this study offer the scholar, designer, and citizen insight into the development and transformation of cities. The Urban Studies minor provides a sequence of required and elective courses that offer students a greater understanding of cities through the study, analysis and critique of urban environments and the forces and processes through which they transform. The minor will be directed by Prof. Craig Barton, ceb8x@virginia.edu. Curriculum The curriculum of the Urban Studies minor was conceived to assist students to engage in a multi-disciplinary program of study which encompasses the historical, political, economic, cultural and technological forces affecting cities. In order to complete a minor in Urban Studies, participating students will complete a core curriculum (6 credits) and 12 credits of elective coursework, selecting at least one course from each of the 3 subject categories listed below: · History, Culture and Society · Design and Planning · Environment and Technology A list of approved elective courses offered at the School of Architecture and the College of Arts and Sciences is available under Courses. ARCH, PLAN, and LAR courses taken as a completed Urban Studies minor do not count against the limit of credits college students may take outside the College. The core curriculum includes: ARCH 268 Lessons of the City. (offered in the Fall term) This course will introduce students to the study of cities through a multi-disciplinary examination of the public realm. Using guest lecturers from within the School and across the University, this course will broadly examine the phenomena of urbanism, the interpretation of societal and cultural values as they are embodied in the physical form of cities, and the use of various media including text (fiction and non-fiction), film, and fine art to represent urban life and environments. ARCH 568 Topics in Urban Studies. The final core course, a capstone seminar, will focus on the examination of contemporary urban issues and is intended to help students synthesize ideas and issues promulgated in their other courses. The topics selected for examination will change from year to year reflecting the discussion of critical issues about urban life ongoing in the world beyond the University. Advisory Committee The Urban Studies Program Advisory Committee is comprised of University faculty members whose research and teaching is focused upon urban issues. The advisory board assists the program’s director to structure and enrich urban studies at Virginia, and to develop initiatives which encourage research and discussion about cities and urbanism. The 2005-06 Urban Studies Advisory Committee includes. Craig Barton (director) — Architecture Stephen Cushman — English/American Studies Ekaterian Markova — Sociology Daphne Spain — Urban and Environmental Planning Elissa Rosenberg — Landscape Architecture Olivier Zunz — History	Architectural History Architecture Landscape Architecture Urban & Environmental Planning Historic Preservation Certificate Program Admissions Dual Degrees Undergraduate Minors Study Abroad Continuing & Professional Education
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