Urban Studies
URBS 201. The Making of Urban Places - SB, D13 Units
Term Typically Offered: Fall Only
Description: This course provides an introduction to the study of cities and urban places, through integration of the works of urban planners, sociologist, geographers, and political scientist. Topics to be covered include historical and contemporary patterns of urban growth, the social structure of cities, and suburbanization and new urbanism. The course fulfills the Cardinal Core requirement in Social & Behavioral Sciences (SB) with the U.S. Diversity credit (D1).
For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes
URBS 202. Discover Louisville3 Units
Term Typically Offered: Spring Only
Description: This course will introduce students to the urban environment of Louisville, exploring the city's past, present, and future. Students will explore how the intertwining forces of politics, economics, social struggles, and cultural heritage shape the current spatial forms we see in the city today. Using Louisville as an urban laboratory, students will examine current socio-political and socioeconomics processes and connect these processes to the existing built environment.
For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes
URBS 303. Quantitative Research Methods in Sustainability and Urban Studies - QR3 Units
Term Typically Offered: Fall Only
Prerequisite(s): ACT Math score of at least 19 or SAT Math score of at least 510 or a course indicating equivalent college math readiness.
Description: This course is designed to be an elementary introduction to statistics with an additional mixture of research methods fundamentals for sustainability and urban studies. Students will learn statistical techniques for quantitative data analysis as well as a basic understanding of how research is conducted. The statistics sections covers descriptive statistics, such as measures of central tendency and variation, some probability theory, and inferential statistics, such as hypothesis testing using t-tests. The focus of the research methods section is on quantitative research, such as sampling, measurement issues or experimental approaches, as they are relevant for sustainability and urban studies.
For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes
URBS 401. Independent Study in Urban Studies1-6 Units
Term Typically Offered: Fall, Spring, Summer
Prerequisite(s): URBS 201 and URBS 202 and at least 60 credit hours of prior work completed, and consent of program director or faculty advisor.
Description: This course is an independent study in an urban studies-related topic. Students interested in designing an independent study course should meet with the program director during the semester prior to that in which they propose to enroll in the course.
For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes
URBS 404. Community Engagement - CUE3 Units
Term Typically Offered: Fall, Spring, Summer
Prerequisite(s): URBS 201, URBS 202, URBS 301, URBS 305, URBS 328, URBS 504 & URBS 518 and permission of department.
Description: Students are required to complete 90 hours in a community engagement position for an agency or organization in the Louisville area. Typical community engagement mentors and sites might include local government agencies, community nonprofit organizations, local business organizations, or university partnerships. Students must get prior approval from their faculty supervisor before enrolling.
Course Attribute(s): CUE - This course fulfills the Culminating Undergraduate Experience (CUE) requirement for certain degree programs. CUE courses are advanced-level courses intended for majors with at least 90 earned credits/senior-level status., CBL - This course includes Community-Based Learning (CBL). Students will engage in a community experience or project with an external partner in order to enhance understanding and application of academic content.
For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes
URBS 410. Real Estate Principles3 Units
Term Typically Offered: Fall, Spring
Description: This course provides decision makers with a basic understanding of real estate principles that will help them to make informed business decisions relating to real estate development. A general introduction to the role of real estate in governance, and the particulars of the wide range of subjects associated with it as a business and necessary for its practice as a profession, are provided.
For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes
URBS 412. Real Estate Development3 Units
Term Typically Offered: Occasionally Offered
Description: Real estate development is the dynamic process of transforming land or existing properties into valuable assets. It encompasses planning, design, construction, and management of projects. Developers need to identify opportunities, secure financing, navigate regulations, and oversee construction to create spaces that meet market demands and enhance communities. Topics of this classes include the development process, market analysis, developer partnerships and characteristics, development financing, and planning and analysis.
For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes
URBS 504. Applied Research Methods3 Units
Term Typically Offered: Fall, Spring
Description: This course is designed to provide students with the basic analytic tools that are commonly used by professional planners and policy analysis in their daily practice, with a special emphasis on techniques for population and economic analysis. The course will instruct students in foundational statistical methods and techniques, as well as additional analytical tools, including the assumptions underlying the tools and methods and strengths and weaknesses of the tools and methods.
Note: Cross-listed with PADM 601 and PLAN 604.
For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes
URBS 518. Urban Demography and GIS3 Units
Term Typically Offered: Spring Only
Prerequisite(s): URBS 201, URBS 202, and completion of at least 60 credit hours of prior coursework.
Description: This course will introduce students to geographic information systems (GIS) as an analytical tool with which to study urban demographic issues. The material will be geared towards students in the urban planning, public administration, and urban studies programs, with a focus on demographic data and issues frequently encountered by planners, policymakers, and policy analysts. Topics that will be covered include migration, housing and neighborhood development, segregation, and land use.
Note: Cross-listed with SUST 518, PLAN 618, PADM 621.
For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes
