GEOG 541 Geography and Urban Planning

This course focuses on the nexus between geographical concepts and the application of these in urban planning.

The course is designed for graduate students with an interest in geography and urban planning including urban management and policymaking. Important theoretical aspects and concepts evaluated and discussed in the course include;1) describing the origins and growth of cities and urban life, 2) examining urbanization in the United States and other developed countries, 3) examining urbanization in less developed countries and evaluating urban problems and responses in less developed countries, 5) explaining the urban development process and how neighborhood change, 6) discussing the politics of urbanization, urban change plus urban policy and planning, 7) defining and discussing the residential kaleidoscope and urban architecture, and 8) discussing the problems of urbanization.

Textbook readings and lecture presentations

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Course Requirements Checklist

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Discussions (8)

Discussions are collaborative learning experiences. Therefore, the student will participate in 8 Discussions by posting a thread in response to the provided prompt. Each thread must be at least 300 words, and the assertions in the thread must be supported by verifiable evidence i.e. journals, or a legitimate internet source with a legitimate URL. In addition to the thread, the student is required to reply to a classmate’s thread. The reply must be at least 150 words.

Reflection Paper Assignments (8)

There will be 8 reflection papers that allow the student to demonstrate a thorough understanding of and engagement with the relevant objectives of the weekly assigned readings and video presentations. 

Research Project Proposal Assignment

Each student must submit a proposal on any urban geographic problem, issue or topic (i.e. urban housing, sprawl, poverty, crime, traffic congestion, gentrification and or segregation) which they intend to research for their term research paper.

Research Project Assignment

Each student must complete a term research paper. The research paper must focus on any urban geographic problem, issue, or topic i.e. urban housing, sprawl, poverty, crime, traffic congestion, gentrification, and or segregation.

Quiz: Exams (2)

There will be 2 exams. That is the mid-term and final exams. These exams will allow the student to demonstrate an understanding of the readings and video lectures that accompany each module: week. The exams will be open-book/open-notes, contain approximately thirteen essay questions, and have a 3-hour time limit.