Real-world course experience in Urban Studio prompts new senior research avenues
Spring semester often focuses on senior Independent Study projects at The College of Wooster. But thanks to the launch of an updated junior I.S. […]
Overview
What are the career paths for graduates in Urban Studies from The College of Wooster?
A large percentage of all graduates from The College of Wooster continue their studies the nation’s top graduate and professional schools and Urban Studies graduates are no exception. Our graduates go on to study urban planning, urban design, community development, architecture, law, business, education, and public policy. Some use their degrees to pursue careers in the non-profit sector, government, or real-estate development.
Urban Studies at The College of Wooster: A Global Approach
A truly multidisciplinary program, Urban Studies at Wooster is centered in a strong foundation in the social sciences. Students take classes in sociology, economics and political science along with courses and electives that help students focus on their individual passions.
Students can choose one of four focus areas in Urban Studies:
- Urban Affairs and Policy features sociology, economics, and political science courses, as well as courses that give an in-depth understanding of statistical, quantitative, and qualitative methods. Future career possibilities for students in this track include city planning, city and regional administration, non-profit management, community development, or environmental management.
- Social Justice and the City provides the same foundational work in urban studies with an emphasis on social justice. Students pursuing this track are typically drawn to careers in non-profit management, community development or social work.
- Global Urban Processes asks students to explore global issues while learning about urban affairs and building skills in research methods. Students on this track will be well poised to build careers in urban planning, administration, and research.
- Environmental Sustainability and Urbanism combines urban studies with environmental studies, giving students a multidisciplinary approach to understanding the complexity of human interactions with the natural world. Students on this track are drawn to careers in sustainable urban planning, urban ecology, landscape planning, or environmental urban policy.
Urban Studies off-campus
Students can expect to engage directly with a city experientially during their studies at Wooster. Many students opt for study abroad through programs with support from the College in cities like Copenhagen and Berlin. The off-campus study experience gives students a global perspective and the research they complete abroad often serves as the basis for their senior independent study projects. Student can also complete a full-credit, one-semester internship in a field related to urban studies.
Faculty & Staff
Heather Fitz Gibbon
Professor and Department Co-Chair of Sociology and Anthropology; Department Chair of Urban Studies
Hamed Goharipour
Assistant Professor of Urban Studies; Middle Eastern & North African Studies (On Leave for Fall 2024)
Angela Sponsler
Administrative Coordinator of Political Science, Global and International Studies, History, Latin American Studies and Urban Studies
Latest Urban Studies News
Architect draws on problem solving skills from liberal arts education
Nicholas Knodt ’10 knew that he wanted to become an architect when he was choosing a college. He decided to come to Wooster because […]
An urban study on resilience inspires desire to implement change in disaster preparedness processes
As climate change intensifies the severity and frequency of extreme weather events, it’s also impacting mental health. Concerns about worrisome climate change and the […]
Post-Disaster Urban Reconstruction’s Effect on Mental Health: A Case Study of Hurricane Katrina and New Orleans Residents
Name: Hope Carmody Majors: Urban Studies, Psychology Advisors: Hamed Goharipour, Heather Fitz Gibbon Laying on rafters for days on end to avoid high flood […]
Major
The Urban Studies program provides an interdisciplinary major combined with an off-campus urban experience. Urban Studies is sponsored by the departments of Economics, Political Science, and Sociology and administered by a faculty committee.
The Urban Studies major allows students to gain a perspective on the different urban phenomena that crucially affect the quality of life of those living in cities, and to relate their liberal education to specific and real human concerns. The Urban Studies major provides a social-scientific core from which students may elect to branch out into various curricular tracks that either broaden the disciplinary bases of urban understanding or deepen competence within a particular discipline.
The major consists of fourteen courses in addition to off-campus study.
View CoursesMinor
The Urban Studies program provides both an interdisciplinary major and an off-campus urban experience for non majors. The minor consists of six courses, including training in GIS and a global, multi-disciplinary perspective. Requirements for the minor include:
URBN 10100 – Contemporary Urban Issues
URBN 10200 – World Cities
SOCI 20800 – Social Justice and the City
ESCI 25000 – Intro to Geographic Info Systems
Two electives (URBN 301: Urban Studio is recommended to those who are interested in practical aspects of Urban Studies)
Independent Study
In the senior year, each student works with a faculty mentor to conduct an intensive investigation into a subject of the student’s choosing, which results in the Independent Study thesis. Independent Studies in Urban Studies are expected to be interdisciplinary, and include the analysis of original data on urban problems or phenomena. Recent students have explored issues including gentrification, creative place-making, spatial inequalities, and graffiti in urban spaces.
Search the I.S. Database
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Related Articles
Real-world course experience in Urban Studio prompts new senior research avenues
Spring semester often focuses on senior Independent Study projects at The College of Wooster. But thanks to the launch of an updated junior I.S. […]
An urban study on resilience inspires desire to implement change in disaster preparedness processes
As climate change intensifies the severity and frequency of extreme weather events, it’s also impacting mental health. Concerns about worrisome climate change and the […]
Post-Disaster Urban Reconstruction’s Effect on Mental Health: A Case Study of Hurricane Katrina and New Orleans Residents
Name: Hope Carmody Majors: Urban Studies, Psychology Advisors: Hamed Goharipour, Heather Fitz Gibbon Laying on rafters for days on end to avoid high flood […]
There’s No Place Like Cohousing: A Study of the Location of Cohousing in the United States
Name: Keira Wright Major: Urban Studies Advisors: Dr. Heather Fitz Gibbon, Dr. Hamed Goharipour This study examines where cohousing develops in the United States […]
Alumni
A large percentage of all graduates from The College of Wooster continue their studies the nation’s top graduate and professional schools and Urban Studies graduates are no exception.
Urban Studies graduates from Wooster can be found in leadership roles in federal urban public policy, city planning and management, and design and architecture.
Related Articles
Architect draws on problem solving skills from liberal arts education
Nicholas Knodt ’10 knew that he wanted to become an architect when he was choosing a college. He decided to come to Wooster because […]
Urban studies alumna confronts housing inequity in New York City
After graduating from The College of Wooster, Rasmia Kirmani-Frye ’95 immediately knew she wanted to move to New York City and begin a career […]
Service year adviser for City Year connects with Wooster students
Christina Bowerman ’13 supports future City Year members including Keira Wright ’21