The world is more urban now than in any other time in human history. Today, about half of the world’s population lives in urban areas and that proportion is projected to grow in the coming years. In the United States, about 80% of the population lives in urban areas. With this rapid urbanization and globalization, the importance of cities continues to grow. Most of our living, work, recreational spaces, cultural institutions and cultural activities, modern politics, and economic activities, exist within and are shaped by the context of cities and their surrounding metropolitan regions. But cities also present us with many social, cultural, economic, political, and environmental problems and challenges. As such, understanding the human condition is now inevitably an urban question. The major in Urban Science and Society provides students with a deep understanding of the richness, complexities and interrelationships of the urban world and urban life. It focuses on an investigation of cities and urban life in their physical, environmental, social, cultural, economic, and political manifestations, the critical role of cities in society, the causes, prevalence, and consequences of urban challenges, and the theory and practice of addressing these challenges. The program is broadly interdisciplinary, drawing from different disciplinary frameworks, insights, perspectives, approaches, and tools to analyze and understand urban dynamics, processes, issues, and policies. The variety of courses in the major allows students to explore topics such as the origins and spread of cities, historical and contemporary patterns of urbanization at local, regional, national and global scales, city forms, urban economic growth and decline, migration race, ethnic and gender relation in cities, types of urban economies, forms of urban governance, power structures of cities, urban social movements, public education, public health, housing, land-use planning, poverty, racial and ethnic relations, transportation, crime, and community development. Through a comprehensive program of study that includes coursework and community-based experiences, the major will prepare students for careers and graduate studies in many fields including community service, education, social work, urban design, urban planning, law, business, architecture, real estate, law, public health, public administration, law enforcement, community organization, communications, and journalism. Students completing the Urban Science add Society major will: • Understand processes of urbanization from a range of disciplinary perspectives. • Understand the physical, environmental, social, cultural, economic and political dimensions of cities and urban life and the interconnections among them. • Understand and be able to apply diverse disciplinary frameworks, approaches, methods, and skills to investigate and analyze urban phenomena, urban issues, and policies. • Understand and value diverse disciplinary perspectives in the analysis of urban issues and be able to work collaboratively with others with different disciplinary perspectives to address these issues. • Think creatively and critically about urban dynamics, processes, patterns, problems, and policies. • Gain practical experience about urban issues through field-based learning and internships in different urban and suburban contexts and situations. • Develop skills in spatial reasoning and analysis including GIS and related modes of data gathering, analysis, evaluation visualization, synthesis, and integration. Urban Science and Society Major The major in Urban Science and Society provides students with a deep understanding of the richness, complexities and interrelationships of the urban world and urban life. It focuses on an investigation of cities and urban life in their physical, environmental, social, cultural, economic, and political manifestations, the critical role of cities in society, the causes, prevalence, and consequences of urban challenges, and the theory and practice of addressing these challenges. The program is broadly interdisciplinary, drawing from different disciplinary frameworks, insights, perspectives, approaches, and tools to analyze and understand urban dynamics, processes, issues, problems, and policies. Through a comprehensive program of study that includes coursework and community-based experiences, the major prepares students for careers and graduate studies in many fields including community development, education, social work, urban design, urban planning, law, business, architecture, real estate, law, public health, public administration, law enforcement, community organization, communications, and journalism. It can be pursued as a single major or combined with many majors at William Paterson University such as political science, sociology, criminal justice, anthropology, history, business, communication, liberal studies, and environmental science. Urban Studies Minor The Urban Studies minor is an interdisciplinary program that focuses on the exploration of cities and urban processes through a variety of disciplinary perspectives. The program prepares students to better understand, and be able to effectively address as professionals and citizens, the complex challenges presented by urban growth and development and the rapid pace of change in 21st century cities. The minor can be combined with many majors at William Paterson University such as political science, sociology, anthropology, history, business, communication, and environmental science. A minor in urban studies provides an excellent foundation for students interested in pursuing careers in community development, law, public policy and administration, education, law enforcement, community organizing, transportation, housing and commercial development, real estate, political service, social work, journalism, and research. For more information, contact Prof. Thomas Owusu, owusut@wpunj.edu, 973-720-3655. View Program Requirements & CoursesLoading... View Program Requirements & CoursesLoading...
