The Major Students interested in career opportunities in the urban milieu should consider a major in urban studies. This interdisciplinary major focuses on the urban community, its environment, and problems. An understanding of the adaptations humans have made in past and present societies to the conditions of urban life serves as the basis for a study of broad issues and theoretical concerns. Students explore such topics as urban origins, migrations and ethnicity, economic conditions, spread of cities, types of urban personalities and groups, power structures and reform movements.
Specialized training is provided in methods of analytical research in urban studies.
In lectures, class discussions, and practical field studies connected with specific courses, students have the opportunity to gain knowledge regarding urban problems and analyze areas such as housing, land use and growth, border issues, organization and management of urban governments, transportation, urban decline, neighborhoods, recreation, and social conflict. Problems and proposed solutions are evaluated. Discussion often centers around the city of San Diego and urban areas within the State of California. The Program Preparation for the major includes coursework in anthropology, economics, geography, political science, sociology, and statistical methods. A minimum of 30 upper division units are required for the major, to include required courses in the subject areas of anthropology, economics, geography, Mexican American border studies, political science, public administration and urban studies, and sociology, each related to urban studies topics.