Urban Studies and Planning - undergraduate program

Urban Studies and Planning

[ program | faculty ]

All courses, faculty listings, and curricular and degree requirements described herein are subject to change or deletion without notice.

Courses

For course descriptions not found in the UC San Diego General Catalog 2019–20, please contact the department for more information.

Lower Division

USP 1. History of US Urban Communities (4)

This course charts the development of urban communities across the United States both temporally and geographically. It examines the patterns of cleavage, conflict, convergence of interest, and consensus that have structured urban life. Social, cultural, and economic forces will be analyzed for the roles they have played in shaping the diverse communities of America’s cities.

USP 2. Urban World System (4)

Examines cities and the environment in a global context. Emphasizes how the world’s economy and the earth’s ecology are increasingly interdependent. Focuses on biophysical and ethicosocial concerns rooted in the contemporary division of labor among cities, Third World industrialization, and the post-industrial transformation of US cities.

USP 3. The City and Social Theory (4)

An introduction to the sociological study of cities, focusing on urban society in the United States. Students in the course will examine theoretical approaches to the study of urban life; social stratification in the city; urban social and cultural systems–ethnic communities, suburbia, family life in the city, religion, art, and leisure.

USP 4. Introduction to Geographic Information Systems (4)

This course provides an entry-level introduction to Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and using GIS to make decisions: acquiring data and organizing data in useful formats, demographic mapping, and geocoding.

USP 5. Introduction to the Real Estate and Development Process (4)

This course introduces students to the terminology, concepts, and basic practices of real estate finance and development. It surveys real estate law, appraisal, marketing, brokerage, management, finance, investment analysis, and taxation.

USP 15. Applied Urban Economics for Planning and Development (4)

This course explores how economics contributes to understanding and solving urban problems using a “learn by doing” approach. Economic analysis will be applied to important issues that planners and developers must deal with, such as land markets, housing, and zoning.

USP 25. Real Estate and Development Principles and Analysis (4)

This course will analyze the concepts related to the planning, development, leasing, valuation, and financing of real estate. There will be special emphasis on critical thinking and analytical decision-making by solving real estate problems primarily using Excel and Argus.

USP 50. Real Estate and Development Colloquium (2)

In this course, students will attend weekly seminars presented by leading researchers and practitioners in the field of real estate and development. Students will learn about best practices and innovative case studies from the field. Recommended for students interested in the real estate and development minor or major.

Upper Division

USP 100. Introduction to Urban Planning (4)

This course is designed to provide an introduction to the fundamentals of urban planning. It surveys important topics in urban planning, including economic development, urban design, transportation, environmental planning, housing, and the history of urban planning. Prerequisites: upper-division standing or consent of instructor.

USP 101. Introduction to Policy Analysis (4)

(Same as POLI 160AA.) This course will explore the process by which the preferences of individuals are converted into public policy. Also included will be an examination of the complexity of policy problems, methods for designing better policies, and a review of tools used by analysts and policy makers. Prerequisites: upper-division standing or consent of instructor.

USP 102. Urban Economics (4)

(Same as ECON 135.) Economic analysis of why and where cities develop, patterns of land use in cities, why cities sub-urbanize, and the pattern of urban commuting. The course also examines problems of urban congestion, air pollution, zoning, poverty, and crime, and discusses public policies to deal with them. Credit not allowed for both ECON 135 and USP 102. Prerequisites: ECON 2 or 100A and MATH 10A or 20A.

USP 104. Ethnic Diversity and the City (4)

(Same as ETHN 105.) This course will examine the city as a crucible of ethnic identity exploring both the racial and ethnic dimensions of urban life in the United States from the Civil War to the present. Prerequisites: upper-division standing.

USP 105. Urban Sociology (4)

(Same as SOCI 153.) Introduces students to the major approaches in the sociological study of cities and to what a sociological analysis can add to our understanding of urban processes. Prerequisites: upper-division standing or consent of instructor.

USP 106. The History of Race and Ethnicity in American Cities (4)

(Same as HIUS 129.) This class examines the history of racial and ethnic groups in American cities. It looks at major forces of change such as immigration to cities, political empowerment, and social movements, as well as urban policies such as housing segregation. Prerequisites: upper-division standing or consent of instructor.

USP 107. Urban Politics (4)

(Same as POLI 102E.) This survey course focuses upon the following six topics: the evolution of urban politics since the mid-nineteenth century; the urban fiscal crisis; federal/urban relationships; the “new” politics; urban power structure and leadership; and selected contemporary policy issues such as downtown redevelopment, poverty, and race. Prerequisites: upper-division standing or consent of instructor.

USP 109. California Government and Politics (4)

(Same as POLI 103A.) This survey course explores six topics: 1) the state’s political history; 2) campaigning, the mass media, and elections; 3) actors and institutions in the making of state policy; 4) local government; 5) contemporary policy issues; e.g., Proposition 13, school desegregation, crime, housing and land use, transportation, water; 6) California’s role in national politics. Prerequisites: upper-division standing.

USP 110. Advanced Topics in Urban Politics (4)

(Same as POLI 102J.) Building upon the introductory urban politics course, the advanced topics course explores issues such as community power, minority empowerment, and the politics of growth. A research paper is required. Students may not receive credit for both POLI 102J and USP 110. Prerequisites: upper-division standing.

USP 113. Politics and Policymaking in Los Angeles (4)

(Same as POLI 103B.) This course examines politics and policymaking in the five-county Los Angeles region. It explores the historical development of the city, suburbs, and region; politics, power, and governance; and major policy challenges facing the city and metropolitan area. Prerequisites: upper-division standing.

USP 115. Politics and Policymaking in San Diego (4)

(Same as POLI 103C.) This course examines how major policy decisions are made in San Diego. In analyses the region’s power structure (including the roles of nongovernmental organizations and the media), governance systems and reform efforts, and the politics of major infrastructure projects. Prerequisites: upper-division standing or consent of instructor.

USP 116. California Local Government: Finance and Administration (4)

(Same as POLI 103D.) This course surveys public finance and administration. It focuses upon California local governments—cities, counties, and special districts—and also examines state and federal relationships. Topics explored include revenue, expenditure, indebtedness, policy responsibilities, and administrative organization and processes. Prerequisites: upper-division standing.

USP 120. Urban Planning, Infrastructure, and Real Estate (4)

This course will explore the interrelationships of urban planning, public infrastructure, and real estate development. These three issues are critical to an examination of the major challenges facing California’s and America’s major metropolitan centers. Prerequisites: upper-division standing or consent of instructor.

USP 121. Real Estate Law and Regulation (4)

Examination of regulation of real estate development, as it affects landowners, developers and others private sector actors. Includes underlying public policies, establishment and enforcement of laws and regulations, application of regulations to individual projects, and political considerations in implementing regulations. Prerequisites: upper-division standing or consent of instructor.

USP 122. Redevelopment Planning, Policymaking, and Law (4)

This course examines key elements of land use, planning, and law as related to urban redevelopment. It focuses on San Diego case studies, including the Petco Park/East Village redevelopment project and the Naval Training Center (NTC) Redevelopment Area (Liberty Station). Prerequisites: upper-division standing or consent of instructor.

USP 123. Law, Planning, and Public Policy (4)

Examination of the intersection of law and policy, in the form of processes and institutions, as they affect decision-making and program implementation in urban planning and design. Opportunities and constraints in making law and policy. Application to specific case examples. Prerequisites: upper-division standing or consent of instructor.

USP 124. Land Use Planning (4)

Introduction to land use planning in the United States: zoning and subdivision, regulation, growth management, farmland preservation, environmental protection, and comprehensive planning. Prerequisites: upper-division standing or consent of instructor.

USP 125. The Design of Social Research (4)

Research methods are tools for improving knowledge. Beginning with a research question, students will learn to select appropriate methods for sampling, collecting, and analyzing data to improve their research activities and research results. Prerequisites: upper-division standing or consent of instructor.

USP 126. Comparative Land Use and Resource Management (4)

This course evaluates alternative land use, regulatory, and land transfer approaches to the US regime. Considered are overseas reform models for comprehensive land use and resource management and their effects on environmental justice, resource sustainability, and management efficiency and innovation. Prerequisites: upper-division standing.

USP 129. Research Methods: Studying Racial and Ethnic Communities (4)

(Same as ETHN 190.) The course offers students the basic research methods with which to study ethnic and racial communities. The various topics to be explored include human and physical geography, transportation, employment, economic structure, cultural values, housing, health, education, and intergroup relations. Prerequisites: upper-division standing or consent of instructor.

USP 130. Fieldwork in Racial and Ethnic Communities (4)

(Same as ETHN 107.) This is a research course examining social, economic, and political issues in ethnic and racial communities through fieldwork. Topics are examined through a variety of research methods which may include interviews and archival, library, and historical research. Prerequisites: upper-division standing or consent of instructor.

USP 131. Culture, Tourism, and the Urban Economy: Case Studies of Craft Breweries

Craft breweries are emerging as a significant part of the economy in US cities. This course examines the rise and impact of craft breweries in city life with a focus on tourism, urban culture, local job growth, and urban revitalization. Prerequisites: upper-division standing.

USP 132. African Americans, Religion, and the City (4)

(Same as ETHN 188.) This course details the history of African American migration to urban areas after World War I and World War II and explores the role of religion in their lives as well as the impact that their religious experiences had upon the cities in which they lived. Prerequisites: upper-division standing.

USP 133. Social Inequality and Public Policy (4)

(Same as SOCI 152.) Primary focus on understanding and analyzing poverty and public policy. Analysis of how current debates and public policy initiatives mesh with alternative social scientific explanations of poverty. Prerequisites: upper-division standing.

USP 134. Community Youth Development (4)

This course examines the integration of youth development and community development in theory and practice as a strategy for addressing adultism. Analyze cases through a cultural lens where local, national, and international youth movements have helped make community development more responsive, inclusive, and culturally sensitive. Prerequisites: upper-division standing.

USP 135. Asian and Latina Immigrant Workers in the Global Economy (4)

(Same as ETHN 129.) This course will explore the social, political, and economic implications of global economic restructuring, immigration policies, and welfare reform on Asian and Latina immigrant women in the United States. We will critically examine these larger social forces from the perspectives of Latina and Asian immigrant women workers, incorporating theories of race, class, and gender to provide a careful reading of the experiences of immigrant women on the global assembly line. Prerequisites: upper-division standing.

USP 136. Collaborative Community Leadership (4)

Provides an overview of collaborative leadership and considers consensus organizing as both a tactical and strategic approach to effective community building and development. Examines how various communities have approached collaborative leadership, consensus organizing, and community building. Prerequisites: upper-division standing.

USP 137. Housing and Community Development Policy and Practice (4)

History, theory, and practice of US housing and community development. Public, private, and nonprofit sectors shape and implement planning and policy decisions at the federal, state, local and neighborhood levels. Prerequisites: upper-division standing.

USP 138. Urban Economic Development (4)

This course focuses on strategies that policy makers and planners use in their efforts to foster healthy economies. Topics include theories of urban economic development, analytical techniques for describing urban economies, and the politics and planning of economic development. Prerequisites: upper-division standing.

USP 139. Urban Design and Economic Development (4)

This course explores emerging trends in urban design and economic development and their interrelationship. The course focuses on selected community projects and also considers urban governance structures. Various research methods will be applied to urban problems. Prerequisites: upper-division standing.

USP 140. Healthy Placemaking (4)

This course introduces students to the concept and practice of “placemaking”—a collaborative process for creating public spaces that are vibrant, equitable, inclusive, and salutogenic. Students will gain an understanding of healthy placemaking as a strategy for building a more just and sustainable society. Prerequisites: upper-division standing.

USP 141A. Life Course Scholars Research and Core Fundamentals

This course introduces students to major concepts, demographic trends, and the diversity of the aging experience. Through site visits, community-based research, and interactions with elders, students will understand the social and structural determinants of health and well-being across the life course. Prerequisites: upper-division standing and department approval.

USP 141B. Life Course Scholars Capstone Project

In this course, students deepen and apply their knowledge of policy, research, practice, and diverse perspectives on aging. Students participate in collaborative learning and research with local elders, and develop and implement a capstone "healthy aging project" in the community. Prerequisites: successful completion of USP 141A.

USP 143. The US Health-Care System (4)

This course will provide an overview of the organization of health care within the context of the community with emphasis on the political, social, and cultural influences. It is concerned with the structure, objectives, and trends of major health and health-related programs in the United States to include sponsorship, financing, training and utilization of health personnel. Prerequisites: upper-division standing or consent of instructor. (Offered winter quarter.)

USP 144. Environmental and Preventive Health Issues (4)

This course will analyze needs of populations, highlighting current major public health problems such as chronic and communicable diseases, environmental hazards of diseases, psychiatric problems and additional diseases, new social mores affecting health maintenance, consumer health awareness and health practices, special needs of economically and socially disadvantaged populations. The focus is on selected areas of public and environmental health, namely: epidemiology, preventive services in family health, communicable and chronic disease control, and occupational health. Prerequisites: upper-division standing or consent of instructor. (Offered fall quarter.)

USP 145. Aging—Social and Health Policy Issues (4)