The Urban Studies and Planning Major

A bachelor of arts degree in urban studies and planning will be given to students who satisfactorily complete the general-education requirements of Revelle, Muir, Marshall, Warren, Roosevelt, or Sixth College in addition to the urban studies and planning courses.

The undergraduate program in Urban Studies and Planning requires a three-quarter lower-division sequence in urban studies; USP 1, USP 2, USP 3, and POLI 30 Political Inquiry; and twelve upper-division courses that serve the Urban Studies and Planning major. Students are encouraged to complete the lower-division courses before they enroll in the upper-division courses. In accordance with campus academic regulations, courses used to satisfy the major cannot be applied toward a minor, although some overlap is allowed for double majors. Lower-division and upper-division requirements must be graded C- or higher to count toward the major. A 2.0 grade-point average is required for all courses in the major. Transfer students should see the Urban Studies and Planning Student Affairs advisor to determine whether courses taken elsewhere satisfy USP major requirements.

Senior Sequence Requirement

In their senior year all students must complete the senior sequence, which includes USP 186: Urban Field Work Seminar in the fall quarter, and USP 187: Urban Studies Internship in the winter quarter. These courses must be taken in order. Students will not be allowed to register for USP 187 without having first taken USP 186.

The senior sequence introduces students to theories for social inquiry and methods for field research. The objective is for students to develop theoretical insight and methodological skills necessary to do scholarly research. The two courses in the sequence examine the structuring of inquiry and modes of observation (e.g., unobtrusive measures, interviews, participant observation). The courses also introduce practical techniques for logging data, taking field notes, and creating filing systems. The sequence enables each student to gain experience conceptualizing, designing, and conducting an original research project of his or her own.

The Urban and Studies Program assists students in arranging their internships. The USP office maintains scores of possible placements. For example, a wide range of internships are available in city and county offices, including departments of health, and planning. Other positions are available with state or county government, elected public officials, city council members, environmental consulting firms, real estate agencies, non-profit and grassroots organizations. Students select and then interview for internship positions. All students must have their internship placement lined up and the internship contract agreement signed by a specified date. Students begin their internship at the mid-point of USP 186 (i.e., week five of the fall quarter) and continue in the same internship until the mid-point of USP 187 (i.e., week five of winter quarter).

The aim of the 100 hour internship requirement spanning USP 186 and USP 187 is to give students work experience in a professional setting of their choice, and collect data for their research project. The lecture component of USP 186 and USP 187 is designed to provide students with a framework in which they may critically examine theoretical as well as practical aspects of their internship experience. Each student is required to write a Senior Research Project discussing some aspect of their internship experience, or exploring a related research question, and to present their project at the USP Expo at the conclusion of the winter quarter. Subject to faculty approval, USP 194 Senior Research Seminar in Washington, D.C. may be used to satisfy the internship placement of the senior sequence; a Senior Research Project will be required.

Senior Honors Seminar

Candidates for Honors in Urban Studies and Planning are required to take USP 190: Senior Honors Seminar, in which students write a senior thesis. Prerequisites for enrolling in USP 190 are a minimum 3.5 GPA in the major, senior standing, USP 186 and USP 187, and consent of the instructor. Majors who plan to enroll in USP 190 must declare their intent in USP 186, fall quarter.

A senior thesis is an extensive research paper ranging in length from 25 to 75 pages. The thesis must include both a survey of relevant literature and original research. The original component of the research may be a case study, archival or historical research, a comparative analysis, a statistical study, or an evaluation of a particular program or policy. The final paper is expected to be a polished essay, suitable to submit for publication, present to a potential employer, or enclose with an application to graduate school.

USP students are encouraged to review the complete library collection of written senior honors theses located in the Urban Studies and Planning Program office, SSB 315.