Urban Studies (Minor)
Rossen Ventzislavov, PhD
Chair
Introduction
The Urban Studies minor at Woodbury University is intended to prepare students to engage with the challenges that global urban development brings to contemporary life. It does this by helping students obtain the critical and analytic skills needed to interpret and respond to changing urban conditions. While the program is interdisciplinary in format, it strives for cohesiveness by taking a culture-based approach to the analysis of the social, political, economic, and environmental issues impacting the development of cities. Many Urban Studies courses incorporate civic engagement projects and participation in partnerships with individuals and organizations in urban studies fields, such as public policy, environmental studies, public history, food justice, and community development.
More specifically, the program helps students become actively engaged in the ethical issues shaping the development of environmentally sustainable, politically constructive, and socially just urban spaces. In the process, they develop critical learning skills that enable them to better understand the diverse forces shaping historical and contemporary urban circumstances, and apply those skills to an integrated analysis of urban development. The program is committed to encouraging students to make informed and useful connections between topics in Urban Studies and the key issues shaping their major area of study and their personal actions as inhabitants of urban spaces. Urban Studies faculty collaborate with faculty from different disciplines to identify, evaluate, and engage in a dialogue about points of overlap between curricula as they relate to urban development.
Mission
To create a transformative educational program devoted to both the theory and practice of urban studies.
Urban Studies Learning Outcomes
• The student will identify the significance of major themes in urban history.
• The student will identify the significance of issues shaping contemporary urban circumstance.
• The student will recognize clearly and respond effectively to environmental issues.
• The student will recognize clearly and respond effectively to social justice issues.
• The student will recognize clearly and respond effectively to constructive urban politics.
• The student will create integrated analyses of urban development.
• The student will create informed connections between a student’s major and minor disciplines.
Assessment Process
Student
A team of faculty members collects and assesses student work on an annual basis, from the introductory course to the upper- division lectures. A rubric is established by which student work can be evaluated to determine whether it reflects the objectives outlined in the curriculum map.
Program
The Urban Studies program coordinator holds an annual focus group meeting with students in the Urban Studies program. The focus group serves as an open platform for the faculty member and the students to evaluate program effectiveness and identify possible areas for improvement.
Alumni
The Urban Studies program coordinator assesses alumni progress and determines if the program objectives were fruitful in facilitating career development.
Curriculum Summary
Program Minor Curriculum
To complete the minor in Urban Studies students must take this course: URBS 100.
The remainder of the required 15 units may be made up with these courses: INDS 325 and URBS 3__ (Urban Studies Elective).
| URBS 100 | Introduction to Urban Studies | 3 |
| INDS 325 | L.A. Stories | 3 |
| URBS 3__ | Urban Studies Elective | 3 |
| URBS 3__ | Urban Studies Elective | 3 |
| URBS 3__ | Urban Studies Elective | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 15 |