Urban Studies Program

The Urban Studies Program at Manhattan College offers a comprehensive and interdisciplinary approach to understanding the complexities of urban life and space. The program emphasizes the interaction of socio-cultural, political, economic, natural, and built environments, providing students with a unique perspective on the challenges and opportunities of urbanization.

Program Overview

The Urban Studies Program is designed to help students understand the factors that influence urbanization, the distinct patterns of social interaction that typify urban life, motivations for various patterns and strategies of urban development, and the effect of globalization on urban expansion and decline. The program is founded on the understanding of cities as unique environments with distinct challenges to social organization, economic growth, and inequality, and sustainability.

Major Requirements

To complete a major in Urban Studies, students must take a minimum of 30 credits, including:

• The introductory course in urban studies, URBN 202 Introduction to Urban Studies
• Either the senior Research Seminar, URBN 401 Seminar - Urban Studies, or the senior thesis, URBN 406 Urban Honors Thesis I and URBN 407 Urban Honors Thesis II
• A supervised field experience or internship in an urban context, which may be satisfied by URBN 475 Internship or URBN 205 Urban America and Catholic Social Teaching
• A minimum of 10 courses from at least 3 departments, with no more than 4 courses from any one department
• A minimum grade of C is required in all courses to fulfill the requirements for the major

Minor Requirements

The minor in Urban Studies requires 15 credits or 5 courses, including the introductory course in Urban Studies: URBN 202 Introduction to Urban Studies. No more than two courses from any one discipline can be counted towards the minor, and a minimum grade of C is required to fulfill the requirements for the minor.

Courses

The following courses are approved for Urban Studies credit:

• AHS 206: Introduction to Public Health
• ART 358: The New York Skyscraper
• ART 360: New York City Architecture, Urbanism and Design
• ART 370: Current Trends
• CIVL 201: Introduction to Civil Engineering
• CIVL 202: Transportation
• CIVL 403: Civil Engineering Economy and Law
• COMM 400: Political Communication
• ECON 332: Introduction to Environmental Economics
• ENGL 212: Latino/Latina Literature
• ENGL 285: Literary New York
• ENGL 338: Studies in Twentieth-and Twenty-first-Century American Literature
• ENGL 348: Postcolonial Literature
• ENGL 400: The Theater and the City
• ENSC 101: Intro to Environmental Science
• ENVL 406: Water and Wastewater Treatment Processes
• HIST 231: Introduction to African American History
• HIST 358: The Industrial Revolution
• HIST 387: New York City and the American Urban Experience
• HIST 390: Terror and Terrorism
• LABR 301: Field Work
• MGMT 430: Business, Government, and Society
• MUSC 300: History of Rock and Roll
• MUSC 310: History of the Broadway Musical
• MUSC 325: Modern Music & The Avant-Garde
• MUSC 330: History of Jazz
• POSC 210: Research Methods in Political Science
• POSC 212: Wall Street
• POSC 221: Urban Govt & Politics
• POSC 222: Power in the City
• POSC 322: Public Administration
• POSC 223: Environmental Politics
• POSC 254: Global Cities
• POSC 315: State and Local Government in the United States
• POSC 318: Community Organizing for Social Change
• PSYC 321: Social Psychology
• RELS 202: U.S. Latino/A Catholicism
• RELS 204: Religion and Social Justice
• RELS 312: Muslims in America
• RELS 363:
• RELS 399: Criminal Justice Ethics
• SOC 204: Urban Anthropology
• SOC 210: Introduction to Social Services
• SOC 220: Social Problems
• SOC 225: Telling Stories with Maps
• SOC 250: Introduction to GIS
• SOC 262: Contemporary Latin American Development
• SOC 270: Criminology
• SOC 273: Mass Incarceration and Collateral Consequences
• SOC 275: Issues in Contemporary Policing
• SOC 294: Gender, Crime & Justice
• SOC 295: Capitalism
• SOC 296: Introduction to Human Geography
• SOC 303: Urban Planning
• SOC 302: Race and Resistance
• SOC 304: Social Inequalities
• SOC 307: Research Methods
• SOC 308: Juvenile Justice
• SOC 310: Sociology of Deviance
• SOC 312: Social Service Practice
• SOC 318: Community Organizing for Social Change
• SOC 324: Sociological Theories
• SOC 327: Power and Conflict
• SOC 332: Labor Studies Colloquium
• SOC 333: US Labor Patterns and Movements
• SOC 334: Sustainable Development
• SOC 350: Advanced Topics in Geographic Information Systems (GIS)
• SOC 338: Schools and Society
• SOC 361: Criminal Justice Administration
• SOC 362: Modern American Gangs
• SOC 364: Law and Society
• SOC 366: White Collar Crime
• SOC 367: Criminal Justice Ethics
• SOC 380: Sport and American Society

Urban Studies Courses

The following courses are specifically offered by the Urban Studies program:

• URBN 202: Introduction to Urban Studies: An introduction to the complexities of urban life and space emphasizing the interaction of socio-cultural, political, economic, natural, and built environments.
• URBN 205: Urban America and Catholic Social Teaching: An interdisciplinary, service learning course that combines sociological, political science, and economic analysis of urban poverty with reflections on Catholic social teaching.
• URBN 301: Special Topics in Urban Affairs: Course descriptions will be announced when courses are offered.
• URBN 302: Sustainable Cities: This course examines issues related to urban environmental sustainability through classroom instruction and field experience in New York City.
• URBN 303: Urban Planning: Introduction to the principles and techniques of urban planning, considering demographic, political, economic, and legal factors in the planning process.
• URBN 375: Internship: Students participate in an off-campus training experience closely related to their area of study, with frequent meetings with the internship advisor and a required paper.
• URBN 401: Senior Seminar in Urban Studies: An in-depth, interdisciplinary analysis of specific research and practical problems, intended to help students integrate the various courses they have taken in Urban Studies.
• URBN 402: Independent Study: Urban Affairs: Supervised reading and/or research designed to allow majors to pursue areas of special interest, with a topic and outline of plans that must be approved by the director of the program and a supervising professor.
• URBN 406: Urban Honors Thesis I: The first of a two-semester progression, allowing exceptional junior and senior students to engage in an independent research project under the direction of the program director and a committee drawn from Urban Studies faculty.
• URBN 407: Urban Honors Thesis II: The culmination of a two-semester progression, allowing exceptional junior and senior students to collect and analyze data to complete an original independent research project.
• URBN 475: Internship: Students participate in an off-campus training experience closely related to their area of study, with frequent meetings with the internship advisor and a required paper, open only to Urban Studies majors.

Manhattan University

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Overview:

Manhattan University is a Lasallian Catholic institution located in Riverdale, New York, just 10 miles from Midtown Manhattan. It is dedicated to providing a career-ready higher education across multiple disciplines. The university emphasizes a sense of community and inclusivity, fostering a welcoming environment for all students.

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Services Offered:

Admissions:

Offers undergraduate, graduate, adult and continuing studies, English language programs, and Air Force ROTC programs.

Academics:

Provides a wide range of majors and minors, 5-year programs, graduate programs, and pathways from associate to bachelor degrees.

Academic Success Services:

Offers academic support, library resources, centers and institutes, global engagement opportunities, internships and career services, research opportunities, and study abroad programs.

Student Life:

Includes social action and service programs, campus ministry, events, clubs and organizations, housing, residence communities, dining, campus safety, inclusive community initiatives, and health and wellness services.

Giving:

Provides various ways to support the university through donations, planned giving, corporate and foundation partnerships, and fundraising events.

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Student Life and Campus Experience:

Students at Manhattan University can expect a vibrant and supportive campus community. They can participate in a variety of clubs and organizations, engage in social action and service initiatives, and enjoy a range of events and activities. The university offers various housing options and dining services, ensuring a comfortable and convenient living experience.

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Key Reasons to Study There:

Location:

Situated in New York City, offering access to diverse cultural experiences and career opportunities.

Lasallian Catholic Heritage:

Emphasizes a commitment to social justice, service, and ethical leadership.

Career-Ready Education:

Provides practical skills and experiences to prepare students for successful careers.

Strong Academic Programs:

Offers a wide range of programs across various disciplines, including business, engineering, and the liberal arts.

Supportive Community:

Fosters a sense of belonging and provides ample opportunities for student engagement and growth.

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Academic Programs:

Manhattan University offers over 100 majors and programs across various schools and departments. Some of the key academic strengths include:

The O'Malley School of Business:

Known for its strong business programs, including accounting, finance, marketing, and management.

The School of Engineering:

Offers programs in chemical, civil, electrical, and mechanical engineering.

The School of Liberal Arts:

Provides a broad range of programs in the humanities, social sciences, and the arts.

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Other:

• The university has a strong commitment to diversity and inclusion, creating an equitable and welcoming environment for all students.
• Manhattan University has a strong alumni network, providing valuable connections and career support.
• The university offers a variety of resources and services to support student success, including academic advising, career counseling, and mental health services.