Urban Studies (B.A.)
The field of urban studies explores contemporary cities and urban trends and addressed some of today's most pressing problems. Globally, complex systems of urban settlement house the overwhelming majority of the population and dominate their residents' social, economic, cultural, and intellectual lives. In the U.S., in particular, exploring the development and transformation of metropolitan regions is essential to understanding some of the most significant dynamics affecting the nation. Especially pertinent are the powerful forces of suburbanization, political fragmentation, and residential segregation along lines of race and class that reshaped our society in the latter half of the 20th century. These forces structure the resources, activities, and opportunities that unite and divide Americans. Wayne State's Detroit location offers a powerful vantage point from which students may gain valuable insight these complex dynamics.
Admission Requirements
Admission requirements for this program are satisfied by the general requirements for undergraduate admission to the University.
Program Requirements
Candidates must complete 120 credits in course work including satisfaction of the University General Education Requirements and the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences Group Requirements, as well as the Departmental major requirements cited below. All course work must be completed in accordance with the regulations of the University and the College governing undergraduate scholarship and degrees.
Major Requirements
Students majoring in Urban Studies are required to complete a minimum of thirty-four credits. This consists of the completion of eighteen credits in five core courses, six credits of core Urban Studies electives, and one three or four-credit research methods course. Students are also required to select at least six credits of additional electives from the list of Urban Studies electives or from additional courses not included in the list but approved by the undergraduate director within the Department of Urban Studies and Planning.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Core Courses | ||
| US 2000 | Introduction to Urban Studies | 4 |
| GPH 3130 | Introductory Urban Geography | 4 |
| GPH 3600 | Introduction to Geographic Information Systems | 4 |
| US 4510 | Cities and Regions | 3 |
| US 4620 | Urban Studies Senior Capstone Research | 3 |
| Research Methods Courses | ||
| Select one of the following: | 3-4 | |
| Research Methods in Criminal Justice | ||
| Quantitative Techniques I | ||
| Methods of Political Inquiry | ||
| Methods of Social Research | ||
| Urban Studies Core Electives | ||
| Select at least two of the following courses: | 6 | |
| Global Urbanism | ||
| Urban and Regional Planning | ||
| Public Health and the City | ||
| Urban Visualization | ||
| Sustainable Cities | ||
| Electives | ||
| Select a minimum of six credits from the course list below. | 6-7 | |
Elective Courses
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| AFS 2010 | African American Culture | 4 |
| AFS 2210 | Black Social and Political Thought | 4 |
| AFS 2350 | Black Detroit | 3 |
| AFS 2600 | Race and Racism in America | 3 |
| AFS 3160 | Black Urban History | 4 |
| AFS 3180 | Black Social Movements | 4 |
| ANT 2200 | Lost Cities and Ancient Civilizations | 3 |
| ANT 2020 | Global Detroit | 3 |
| ANT 2400 | Food and Culture | 3 |
| ANT 3020 | Introduction to Archaeology | 3 |
| ANT 3100 | World Cultures | 3 |
| ANT 3111 | Digital Storytelling and Ethnic Detroit | 3 |
| ANT 3410 | Global Health | 3 |
| ANT 5060 | Urban Anthropology | 3 |
| CRJ 3050 | Mental Health and Crime | 3 |
| CRJ 3120 | Politics of the Criminal Justice Process | 3 |
| CRJ 3200 | Police and Society | 3 |
| CRJ 3350 | Corrections | 3 |
| ELR 2500 | Introduction to Labor Studies | 4 |
| GLS 2700 | Introduction to Global Stories | 3 |
| GLS 2800 | Introduction to Global Issues and Institutions | 3 |
| GLS 2900 | Intercultural Competence for a Global World | 3 |
| GPH 4600 | Advanced Geographic Information Systems | 4 |
| PCS 2000 | Introduction to Peace and Conflict Studies | 3 |
| PCS 2050 | The Study of Non-Violence | 3 |
| PH 2100 | Introduction to Public Health | 3 |
| PH 3100 | Social and Behavioral Aspects of Public Health | 3 |
| PH 3300 | Epidemiology | 3 |
| PH 3500 | Environmental Health | 3 |
| PS 2240 | Introduction to Urban Politics and Policy | 4 |
| PS 2410 | Introduction to Public Policy | 4 |
| PS 2420 | Ethics and Politics of Public Policy | 4 |
| PS 3250/HIS 3240 | Detroit Politics: Continuity and Change in City and Suburbs | 4 |
| PS 4460 | Techniques of Policy Analysis | 4 |
| UP 3530 | Urban and Regional Planning | 3 |
| SOC 2201 | Race Relations in Metro Detroit | 3 |
| SOC 2203 | Social Psychology | 3 |
| SOC 2205 | Sociology of the Environment | 3 |
| SOC 2207 | Sociology of Development | 3 |
| SOC 2300 | Social Inequality | 3 |
| SOC 2510 | People on the Move | 3 |
| SOC 2210 | Sociology of Health and Medicine | 3 |
| UP 4460 | Sustainable Cities | 3 |
| UP 5430 | Cities and Food | 3 |
| US 3900 | Topics in Urban Studies and Geography | 3 |
| US 3650 | History of Detroit | 3 |
| US 4000 | Internship | 1-4 |
| UP 5650 | Metropolitan Detroit | 3 |
| UP 5820 | Urban and Regional Economics | 4 |
Urban Studies Honors Program
Students with a grade point average of 3.3 or higher may be admitted to the Honors Program in Urban Studies. Department requirements (15 credits minimum):
- Maintain a 3.3 grade point average.
- Complete one HON 42xx-level Honors seminar (3 cr)
- US 4620 honors section: Thesis. (3 cr.): A senior thesis under the direction of a full time faculty advisor in their major
- Accumulate at least 9 credits in honors-designated course work, honors section, or honors option, within the major of Urban Studies coursework.