The minor in urban studies is highly relevant to students interested in addressing emerging and persistent issues of the 21st century, including social justice, climate change, environmental conservation, sustainable development, mobility and access, public health, and economic prosperity—each of which has local, urban, and regional dimensions.

It is well-suited for students in a wide range of majors: education, political science, sociology, economics, criminology, pre-law, human rights, social work, geography, sustainability, environmental policy and planning, civil and environmental engineering, health and public health, business, anthropology, history, journalism and mass communication, African American studies, Native American and Indigenous studies, gender, women’s and sexuality studies, and international studies.

Students completing the urban studies minor will have an understanding of enduring and emerging urban issues, urban policies, and innovative urban practices. They will be prepared to improve the quality and sustainability of the built and natural environments and to make communities more resilient, accessible, and prosperous.

The Graduate College is the curricular college for the undergraduate urban studies minor, and the minor is awarded by the University College.

 

Urban Studies Minor details

Requirements

1 core course (3 s.h.)
4 electives (12 s.h.)

  • The undergraduate minor in urban studies requires 15 s.h. of coursework taken at the University of Iowa.
  • Students must maintain a GPA of at least 3.00 in work for the minor. 
  • Coursework in the minor may not be taken pass/non-pass.
  • The minor may be earned by any student admitted to the University of Iowa who is not concurrently enrolled in a UI graduate or professional degree program. 

Students must take URP:3001 Planning Livable Cities, which provides an introduction to urban studies, policies, and practices, and choose four electives from the list below.

Curriculum

Core Course (3 s.h.)

course numbercourse titlesemester hours
URP:3001Planning Livable Cities                                                                                                            3 s.h.

 

4 Electives (12 s.h.)

course numbercourse title 
CRIM:4120Environmental Criminology
Prerequisite: CRIM:1410		 
PBAF:3560Public Policy and Persuasion
Prerequisites: RHET:1030 or RHET:1040 or RHET:1060. Same as POLI:3560, RHET:3560, SJUS:3560		 
PBAF:3570Poverty Policy 
PBAF:4205Economics for Policy Analysis 
URP:1001How to Change the World 
URP:2013Introduction to Sustainability 
URP:2020Environment and Society: Sustainability, Policy, and Politics 
URP:2056Splendor of Cities (Cities Across the World) 
URP:3135Environment and Natural Resource Economics 
URP:3350Transportation Economics 
URP:4225Applied GIS for Planning and Policy Making 
URP:4245Growth Management 
URP:4256Environmental Policy 
URP:4260Transportation Policy and Planning 
URP:4266Transportation, Urban Form and Sustainability 
URP:4271Housing Policy 
URP:4273Community Development Through Creative Placemaking 
URP:4280Planning for Disaster Mitigation and Recovery3 s.h. option recommended
URP:4295Community and Economic Development Policy 

Declaring the Minor and Minor Advising

Students may declare the minor in MyUI as soon as they are enrolled in URP:3001 Planning Livable Cities.

Those interested in pursuing the urban studies minor must meet with the minor advisor, be briefed on the minor expectations for performance, and complete a Plan of Study that must be approved by the minor advisor.

Please contact Carrie Schuettpelz, Director of Undergraduate Studies at the School of Planning and Public Affairs.