Course work includes world regions and concepts, geography of South America, geography of U.S. and Canada, analysis of northern lands, and analysis of South Asia. Foreign study trips are encouraged. Community economic development focuses on micro and macro issues in economic development and community planning, land use controls, economic theory, and community economic development. Environmental design offers students an opportunity to work with local planning agencies on design projects. Course work includes urban and regional planning, environmental psychology, and environmental design studio.
Ethnic studies focuses on the experiences of population sub-groups in urban and regional areas.
Courses include minority groups, race and ethnic relations, Hispanic American communities, Asian American communities, and economics of discrimination. Urban and regional planning emphasizes planning theory and methods and requires internship work with local planning agencies. Courses include urban and regional planning, planning theory and methods, urban and regional economics, and state and local government. Since urban and regional studies focuses on the problems, possibilities and promise of life for people and places on the earth, students considering this major must be interested in pursuing this broad theme. Students who are interested in places near and far, who enjoy travel, and are drawn to reading maps will find this program appealing.