Urban Studies (US)

Courses

US 100. Concepts in Geography. 3 hours.

Geographic concepts drawn from the areas of cultural, urban, economic, global, and regional geography. Course Information: Same as GEOG 100. Class Schedule Information: To be properly registered, students must enroll in one Discussion/Recitation and one Lecture. Individual and Society course, and World Cultures course.

US 101. Introduction to Urban Studies. 3 hours.

General survey of urban issues and experience using an interdisciplinary approach. Course Information: Previously listed as UPP 101. Class Schedule Information: To be properly registered, students must enroll in one Lecture and one Discussion. US Society course.

US 130. Principles of Urban Sustainability. 3 hours.

Introduces students to fundamental principles, interdisciplinary approaches, historical trends, policies and planning programs that promote sustainability in urban regions. Class Schedule Information: To be properly registered, students must enroll in one Lecture and one Discussion/Recitation. US Society course.

US 140. Introduction to Urban Transportation. 3 hours.

Examines how different layers of transportation systems are planned, operated and managed; effect of time and spatial scales; how systems address mobility and access; long term impacts of policy; effect of transportation technology on urban form. Course Information: Field work required. Individual and Society course.

US 199. Independent Study in Urban Studies. 1-3 hours.

Study and analysis of topics selected by the student under the guidance of a faculty advisor. Course Information: May be repeated to a maximum of 6 hours. Students may register in more than one section per term. Previously listed as UPP 199. Prerequisite(s): Consent of the instructor.

US 202. Social Justice and the City. 3 hours.

Overview of diversity, justice, and equity within an urban framework; cultural shifts and political movements shaping concerns about social justice; theoretical approaches and literature explaining forces and factors underlying these issues. Course Information: Previously listed as UPP 202. Class Schedule Information: To be properly registered, students must enroll in one Lecture and one Discussion. US Society course.

US 205. Cinema and the City. 3 hours.

Explores how diverse societies, cities and urban phenomena are represented in film at different points in history, explores theories of urbanism and individual relationships to cities and urban society and institutions. Course Information: Previously listed as UPP 205. Students are required to view films outside of regular class hours. Class schedule information: To be properly registered, students must enroll in one Lecture and one Discussion/Recitation. Individual and Society course.

US 208. Mapping the Urban: Cartography and its Alternatives. 3 hours.

Maps both represent space and influence the spatial imaginary. From traditional cartography to new media, the course will explore the power and possibilities of mapping and counter-mapping as narratives of space, power and social relations. Course Information: Same as GEOG 208. Previously listed as UPP 208. Individual and Society course.

US 220. Latin American Cities in a Global Context: Environment, Employment, and Housing. 3 hours.

Global economic trends impacting Latin American cities, with a focus on three urban planning issues: environment, employment and housing. Growing inequality, precarious employment, spatial segregation, and squatter settlements will be explored. Course Information: Same as LALS 220. Individual and Society course, and World Cultures course.

US 230. Practices for Sustainable Cities. 3 hours.

Provides an introduction to topical issues of sustainable urban development and surveys emerging sustainability practices. Course Information: Prerequisite(s): Sophomore standing or above; or consent of the instructor. Recommended background: Grade of C or better in US 130. To be properly registered, students must enroll in one Lecture and one Discussion/Recitation. US Society course.

US 240. Urban and Community Economics. 3 hours.

Surveys economic perspectives on urban processes, including the location decisions of households and firms, the determinants of urban economic development, and the theory and practice of community economic development. Class Schedule Information: To be properly registered, students must enroll in one Lecture and one Discussion/Recitation.

US 250. Analyzing the City. 3 hours.

Addresses basic issues of quantitative reasoning in urban studies, including use of data sources, organizing, sorting, managing, and analyzing data. Emphasizes presenting findings visually, in writing, and through social media. Course Information: Extensive computer use required. Recommended background: Grade of B or better or concurrent registration in US 202.

US 261. Mapping, Data, and Geographic Information Systems. 3 hours.

Provides an introduction to the tools and techniques of mapping, the relationship between data and cartography, and the basic concepts of geographic information systems softwares. Course Information: Extensive computer use required. Field work required. Prerequisite(s): Sophomore standing or above; or consent of the instructor.

US 296. Special Topics in Urban Studies. 3 hours.

Special Topics in Urban Studies. Course Information: Field trip required at a nominal fee. Prerequisite(s): Sophomore standing or above; or consent of the instructor. Recommended background: Nine hours of coursework in Urban Studies or Public Policy, including credit or concurrent registration in one course at the 200-level.

US 301. Political Economy of Urban Development. 3 hours.

Political and economic approaches to the study of urban life, urban problems and the built environment. Course Information: Previously listed as UPA 301. Field work required. Prerequisite(s): Grade of C or better in US 240; or Grade of B or better in ECON 120; and senior standing or above; or consent of the instructor. Class Schedule Information: To be properly registered, students must enroll in on Lecture and one Discussion/Recitation.

US 304. Visualizing the City: Methods and Tools for Representing the City. 3 hours.

Addresses basics of visualization methods and techniques of representing the physical environment. Course Information: Previously listed as UPA 304. Field work required. Prerequisite(s): Open only to juniors and seniors; and approval of the department or admission to the BA Program in Urban Studies. Class Schedule Information: To be properly registered, students must register for one Lecture and one Discussion/Recitation.

US 306. Urban Policy Analysis Methods. 3 hours.

Introduces students to the basics of policy and program evaluation using rational model. Needs analysis, performance evaluation, data collection methods and analysis, discounting valuation problems. Course Information: Previously listed as UPA 306. Prerequisite(s): Grade of C or better in US 240; or Grade of B or better in ECON 120; and junior standing or above; or consent of the instructor.

US 308. Globalization in Urban Studies. 3 hours.

Study of urban studies as it relates to globalization. Course Information: Previously listed as UPP 308. Prerequisite(s): Grade of C or better in US 240; or Grade of B or better in ECON 120; or consent of the instructor.

US 309. Public Budgeting and Financial Management. 3 hours.

Government budgeting, financial, management and the reciprocal relationship between government and the economy. Course Information: Same as PPOL 309. Prerequisite(s): PPOL 210 and admission to the BA in Public Policy or Urban Studies; or consent of the instructor.

US 361. Introduction to Geographic Information Systems I. 3 hours.

Geographic Information Systems (GIS) adds spatial analysis and communication to the critical thinking toolbox. This course, the first in a two semester sequence, introduces students to basic GIS data concepts and map making techniques. Course Information: Extensive computer use required. Students must have access to a PC on which they can install software, and meeting the system requirements detailed on the ESRI website at: http://www.esri.com/software/arcgis/arcgis-for-desktop/system-requirements. Prerequisite(s): Sophomore standing or above and Grade of C or better in US 261 or equivalent; or instructor approval. Recommended background: Grade of C or better or concurrent registration in US 100 or Grade of C or better in GEOG 175.

US 362. Introduction to Geographic Information Systems II. 3 hours.

Geographic Information Systems (GIS) adds spatial analysis and communication to the critical thinking toolbox. This course, the second in a two semester sequence, introduces students to basic GIS data concepts and map making techniques. Course Information: Extensive computer use required. Students must have access to a PC on which they can install software, and meeting the system requirements detailed on the ESRI website at: http://www.esri.com/software/arcgis/arcgis-for-desktop/system-requirements. Prerequisite(s): Grade of B or better in US 361; and sophomore standing or above. Recommended background: Grade of C or better or concurrent registration in GEOG 100.

US 390. Sustainability Internship. 3 hours.

Provides an intellectual framework for students to apply classroom learning to hands-on project-based internships that advance the overall mission of greater social, economic and environmental sustainability in the campus community. Course Information: Same as PUBH 390. Students will be placed in internships with UIC departments and units for approximately 8 hours per week. Prerequisite(s): Grade of C or better in US 130; or Grade of C or better in PHYS 116. Open only to sophomores, juniors, and seniors; or consent of the instructor.

US 490. International Student Exchange Program. 0-18 hours.

The Student Exchange Program enables the reciprocal exchange of students between UIC and colleges or universities in other countries. There are a variety of programs tailored to meet the needs of CUPPA students. Course Information: May be repeated for a maximum of 36 credit hours per academic year or for a total of 48 hours, all of which must be earned within one calendar year. Determination of the number of credits to be granted is part of the proposal approval process. Previously listed as UPA 490. Field work required. Prerequisite(s): Completion of the English Composition requirement; and junior standing or above; and approval of the College of Urban Planning and Public Affairs; and approval of the Office of International Affairs.

US 491. Internship Experience in Urban Studies. 3 hours.

Two hundred twenty-five hours of service learning/practical experience through an internship placement approved by the Urban Studies Program. Course Information: Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory grading only. Previously listed as UPA 491. Field work required. Prerequisite(s): Junior standing or above and approval of the UPA program and completion of 12 hours of credit towards the UPA degree.

US 495. Senior Capstone Experience in Urban Studies. 3 hours.

Students synthesize and draw upon knowledge learned in the program to engage in projects in the urban community. Course Information: Previously listed as UPP 495. Field work required. Prerequisite(s): UPP 405; and senior standing or above; or consent of the instructor or admission to the Urban Studies major. Class Schedule Information: To be properly registered, students must enroll in one Lecture-Discussion and one Conference.

US 498. Independent Study in Urban Studies. 1-3 hours.

Provides an opportunity for students to pursue an independent project that is not availble through the required US coursework. Course Information: May be repeated to a maximum of 6 hours. Prerequisite(s): Open only to juniors and seniors; or consent of the instructor. Previously listed as UPP 498.