Urban Affairs and Planning

University Exemplary Department

John Randolph, Chair

University Distinguished Professor: P. L. Knox

Professors: J. R. Bohland; J .O. Browder; J. W. Dickey; C. T. Koebel; J. M. Levy; A. C. Nelson; J. Randolph; J. L. Scarpaci; R. E. Zody

Associate Professors: M. Papadakis; T. W. Sanchez; M. O. Stephenson, Jr.; D. Zahm

Assistant Professors: J. Carmin; A. Ebrahim; J. Richardson

Adjunct Professor: E. L. Blythe; A. H. Moore; M. E. Ridenour; A. Steiss

The Department of Urban Affairs and Planning (UAP) offers two undergraduate degrees, the B.A. in public and urban affairs and the B.S. in environmental policy and planning, as well as minors under both degrees. At the graduate level the department offers the master of urban and regional planning and the master of public and international affairs degrees.

B.A. in Public and Urban Affairs

The B.A. in public and urban affairs (PUA) is an interdisciplinary social science degree with a professional cast. It aims to educate students broadly in the liberal arts tradition while equipping them with the skills, knowledge, and analytical thinking used in planning and policy analysis. Students learn to address the economic, environmental, social, and governmental consequences of growth and change and to help resolve the problems that emanate from them.

Students are able to focus on one of five concentrations:

Public and Non-Profit Management
Urbanization: Planning and Policy
Public Policy
Global Development
Environmental Affairs

The latter four concentrations are shared by one or more of the majors offered by the departments in the School of Public and International Affairs (SPIA). SPIA departments include UAP, Political Science, Geography, International Studies, Public Administration and Policy, Science and Technology Studies, and Agricultural and Applied Economics.

The 120 credit hour curriculum in Public and Urban Affairs has 66 required hours, including 39 hours in the core, 12 hours in designated university core courses, and 15 hours in the student's area of concentration. This leaves 54 hours for the student to fulfill other university core requirements (maximum of 21 hours) and for free electives (minimum of 33 hours). The curriculum includes four areas: core in major, remaining university core, free electives, and area of concentration.

Minor in Public and Urban Affairs

Students can receive a minor in Public and Urban Affairs by taking 18 hours from the following courses.

UAP 1024: Public Issues in Urban Society
UAP 3014: Urban Policy and Planning
Plus: 12 UAP hours from approved list

B.S. in Environmental Policy and Planning

The B.S. in environmental policy and planning (EPP) provides students the opportunity to study environmental problems and their solutions from an interdisciplinary perspective involving humanities, natural and social science, planning, and public policy. While rooted in scientific and technological fields, environmental problems and their solutions increasingly deal with public values, economics, law, policy, and planning. The EPP curriculum, while providing a broad liberal arts and natural and social science base, has a pre-professional slant involving analytical and communication skills and policy and planning methods to prepare students for employment and graduate study.

The curriculum draws from courses in 20 departments in five colleges, and is held together by ten UAP classes including two capstone courses. The required hours include fourteen course "bundles" in which students select from a group of courses. The curriculum includes 120 total credit hours, of which 98-99 hours (including all University Core requirements) are required and 21-22 hours are free electives.

Minor in Environmental Policy and Planning

Students can receive a minor in Environmental Policy and Planning by taking 20-22 hours from the following courses.

Satisfactory Progress

A student will be considered to have made satisfactory progress toward the degree when, upon attempting 72 semester hours of credits, he/she has successfully completed the University Core requirements for English, mathematics, natural sciences and humanities, as well as UAP 2014, 2024, 3014 and ECON 2005-2006.

Undergraduate Courses (UAP)

1024: PUBLIC ISSUES IN AN URBAN SOCIETY

This class introduces some of the most vital concerns and issues challenging democratic capitalistic urban societies today. Topics addressed include different perspectives on the causes and portent of the urban underclass, the growing inequality between the educated and less well educated in the nation's labor markets, the causes of the marked resegregation of many of the nation's urban centers by race and income and the implications of privatization and interjurisdictional competition for the public policy behavior and outcomes of subnational governments. (3H,3C).

2014: URBANIZATION & DEVELOPMENT

Relationships between urbanization and economic development; role of cities in social, political, cultural, and economic development of societies; cities as settings for innovation and change. (3H,3C).

2024: WORLD CITIES

A comparative approach to urban systems, urban form, and urban living throughout the world. The role of cities in national and international economics. The form of urban development in relation to political, economic, and cultural context. Comparisons of urban problems and policy responses. (3H,3C).

2034: SOCIETY & THE BUILT ENVIRONMENT

The built environment is viewed as a product of social, cultural, economic and political forces. Architecture, urban design and planning as mediating professions; the major actors and institutions involved in creating and shaping the built environment; the style of production and the production of style in the built environment; architecture and the dynamics of urban change; symbolism and meaning in the built environment. Sophomore standing required. (3H,3C).

2964: FIELD STUDY

Pass/Fail only. Variable credit course.

3004: URBAN RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

An introduction to methodological approaches used in conducting and presenting findings of research in the field of urban affairs and the development of skills most commonly used in carrying out such research. (3H,3C).

3014: URBAN POLICY & PLANNING

An introduction to urban policy and urban planning. Includes analysis of the basic concepts and principles of urban policy, a review of urban policy in the United States, discussion of the development of urban planning and its role in shaping the urban environment, and an analysis of the relationship between public policy and planning and the organization and structure of the urban environment. (3H,3C).

3024: THE PERSONAL COMPUTER IN URBAN ANALYSIS

Use of personal computers in the analysis of urban models and urban problems. The course includes data management for urban information, graphics, computer modeling, and simulation. (3H,3C).

3064: URBAN DIVERSITY

Examines the growing diversity of the metropolitan population in the United States including the rising numbers of people of color, the disabled, the growth of single person and single-parent headed households, aging and sexual orientation. Introduces issues and problem solving techniques related to managing city and suburban areas as they adjust to diversity. Junior standing required. (3H,3C).

3074: SOCIAL MOVEMENTS IN URBAN SOCIETY

Examines how social groups bring about social change through formal and informal organizations in the urban context. Analyzes the challenges and successes of these organizations whose efforts fall outside traditional political parties as a window to larger policy and development questions. Topics include resource mobilization theory, theories of urbanization and development, as well as topical social movements including self-help housing, women's movements, health care, human rights, and environmental groups, among others. Pre: 1024. (3H,3C).

3224: POLICY IMPLEMENTATION

Systematic analysis of the field and practice of public policy implementation. Includes analysis of the structure and dynamics of the policy process as well as specific analytic approaches to understanding policy implementation. Includes analysis of intra-organizational, interorganizational and intergovernmental implementation processes. Pre: PSCI 3115. (3H,3C).

3264: CONTEMPORARY URBAN ISSUES

Consideration of one particular issue of immediate importance to the contemporary urban environment. Topics emphasize major social or economic policy issues, and may change each year. Junior standing required. (3H,3C).

3344 (PSCI 3344): GLOBAL ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES: INTERDISCIPLINARY PERSPECTIVES

Critical examination of major global environmental problems (e.g., global warming, atmospheric ozone depletion, acid rain, tropical deforestation, toxic waste) with emphasis on their social, economic, political, ethical, and policy implications and solutions. Completion of Area 4 of University Core required. (3H,3C).

3354: INTRODUCTION TO ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY & PLANNING

Introduction to the interdisciplinary principles of environmental policy, planning, economics, and ethics to address pollution abatement, resources conservation, habitat protection, and environmental restoration. The course will focus on practical means of identifying environmental problems and creatively solving them. (3H,3C).

3414: THEORIES OF PUBLIC & NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATIONS

This course analyzes the principal streams of the organization theory and behavior literature to develop practical tools to understand and manage complex public and non-profit organizations. Specific focus is the applicability of organization theory that considers structure, individual and group processes, politics, markets and symbolism to public and non-profit organizations. Pre: PSCI 1015. (3H,3C).

3415-3416 (PSCI 3415-3416): PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION

Context, role, and the legal processes of public administration. 3415: Attributes of administrative organization and decision-making, public finances, personnel relations, and program implementation. 3416: Federal administration process; rule making and adjudication, legal restrictions, and controls. Pre: PSCI 1014. (3H,3C).

3464 (EDHL 3464) (HD 3464) (GEOG 3464) (HUM 3464) (NE 3464) (SOC 3464): APPALACHIAN COMMUNITIES

The concept of community in Appalachia using a multidisciplinary approach and experiential learning. Interrelationships among geographically, culturally, and socially constituted communities, public policy, and human development. 2000-level course in any cross-listing department required. (2H,3L,3C).

3604: PUBLIC BUDGETING

Examines principal theories, concepts and practices of budgeting as practiced in the public sector in the United States. Assesses evolution of budgetary theory and practice from perspective of effective policy making, managerial needs, analytical techniques and reporting requirements. Junior standing required. (3H,3C).

3614: PUBLIC FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT

Provides an undergraduate level introduction to principal concepts central to effective financial management in public organizations. Surveys basic accounting concepts, treasury and asset management, auditing, purchasing and inventory management, debt management, capital planning and management control systems development. Junior standing required. (3H,3C).

3714 (PSCI 3714): THE U S POLICY PROCESS

Description and analysis of the processes and institutions involved in the making and implementation of public policy in the United States, with a primary focus on domestic and economic policy. Empirical and normative models of the process of public policy making in the U.S. Pre: 1014. (3H,3C).

3744 (PSCI 3744): PUBLIC POLICY ANALYSIS

Methods and approaches used in the analysis and evaluation of public policy; strengths and limitations of various analytic tools; normative issues in the practice of policy analysis. Pre: 1014. (3H,3C).

3774 (PSCI 3774): MARXIAN POLITICAL ANALYSIS

Contemporary uses of Marxian concepts and theories to study the world economy, business structure, current social issues, modern ethical values, and alienation. Pre: 1024, 3016 or 3535 or 3536 or 3554. (3H,3C).

3894: WORLD POVERTY & HUNGER IN URBAN/REGIONAL CONTEXT

Important dimensions of global poverty and hunger problems and issues with examples drawn from the United States as well as from developing countries; causes of poverty and hunger; comparison of poverty and hunger in urban and rural areas; distribution of wealth and power; development programs, and their reforms. (3H,3C).

4184: COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT

Issues, concepts, and techniques of citizen participation in community development. Institutional frameworks and their historical precedents. Exercises developing group communications skills, public meeting facilitation, and design of community involvement programs. (3H,3C).

4214: WOMEN, ENVIRONMENT & DEVELOPMENT IN A GLOBAL PERSPECTIVE

Explores intersecting roles of gender, culture, and socio-economic status in people's use of nature, management of environmental resources, and experiences of environmental change. Examines debates on environmental and development initiatives, environmental ethics, and environmental social movements from feminist perspectives. Pre: 3344 or 3354. (3H,3C).

4224: POLICY-MAKING IN THE FEDERAL SYSTEM

This course analyzes both the design and structure of our nation's intergovernmental framework. The class examines alternative understandings of the intentions of the Founders and of the changing roles of the courts, Congress, the presidency, the governorship, the state legislatures, local governments and other institutional actors in our intergovernmental system. The class emphasizes both the strengths and weaknesses of our multi-layered system of governance laying special stress on its implications for policy process effectiveness, efficiency and accountability. (3H,3C).

4244: NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION & MANAGEMENT

Examines the role of the non-profit sector in American society. Also analyzes the role of important sub-sectors within the nation's third sector and explores key management challenges confronting non-profit organization leaders within them. Junior standing required. (3H,3C).

4264: ENVIRONMENTAL ETHICS & POLICY

Issues in applied environmental ethics. Contributions of diverse religious and philosophical traditions to contemporary perspectives on the human-nature relationship. Examination of environmental policies from utilitarian economic, deep ecology, and ecofeminist perspectives. Junior, senior or graduate standing required. Pre: 3344 or 3354. (3H,3C).

4284: ENVIRONMENT, POLITICS & PLANNING: COMPARATIVE APPLIED POLITICAL ECOLOGY

Uses political ecology concepts, linking environmental change and social difference, to address practical problems where social justice and environmental management intersect at multiple spatial scales and institutional levels. Junior or senior standing required. Pre: 3354. (3H,3C).

4344: LAW OF CRITICAL ENVIRONMENTAL AREAS

This course examines the legal principles and policy debates involved in the regulation and protection of critical environmental resources. Specific topics vary but will likely include wetlands law and policy, endangered species habitat, open space, forestland and farmland protection, coastal zone management, and floodplain regulation and policy. Pre: AAEC 3314, 4754. (3H,3C).

4354: INTERDISCIPLINARY ENVIRONMENTAL PROBLEM SOLVING STUDIO

Interdisciplinary, experiential problem solving studio focusing on specific environmental problems. Working in groups, students interact with local officials, consultants, developers, environmental groups to explore the processes of environmental management, regulation and mitigation, applying techniques and skills frequently used by environmental planners and policy-makers. Senior status required and 9 credit hours, 3000-level or above, in the Environmental Policy and Planning major or minor; Pre: 3354. (2H,5L,4C).

4364: SEMINAR IN ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY & PLANNING

Critical examination of the social, political, economic, legal, scientific, and technological contexts underlying processes of environmental change, problems, and solutions, as seen from various conceptual and disciplinary perspectives. Senior status required and 9 credit hours, 3000-level or above, in the Environmental Policy and Planning major or minor. Pre: 3354. (2H,2C). II.

4374: LAND USE & ENVIRONMENT: PLANNING & POLICY

Environmental factors involved in land use planning and development, including topography, soils, geologic hazards, flooding and stormwater management, ecological features, and visual quality. Techniques used in conducting environmental land inventories and land suitability analyses. Policies and programs to protect environmental quality in land use planning and development. Pre: 3054. (3H,3C).

4384: POLLUTION CONTROL PLANNING & POLICY

Planning and policy aspects of managing residuals and environmental contaminants and their effects on human health and environmental quality. Technical and economic factors involved in management of water quality, air quality, solid and hazardous wastes, toxic substances, and noise. Implementation of pollution control legislation, policies, and programs at federal, state, and local levels. Pre: 3054. (3H,3C).

4394: COMMUNITY RENEWABLE ENERGY SYSTEMS

Practical design fundamentals for small-scale renewable energy systems: solar building heating and cooling; solar domestic hot water; wind, photovoltaic, and hydroelectric systems; alcohol, methane and other biomass conversion systems. Developing plans, programs, and policies to stimulate development of renewable systems. Pre: or ECON 2116, MATH 1016. (3H,3C).

4404 (NR 4404) (ALS 4404): APPROACHES TO INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

An introduction to issues relating to international development. The course will focus on areas to help students better understand the interdependencies between countries and how institutions and organizations can foster effective working relationships on global projects of mutual interest between countries (1H,1C).I.

4604: SOCIAL POLICY & PLANNING

A survey of the history of social policy in the United States of existing federal, state, and local statutes that define the character of contemporary social policy and planning and of issues that are likely to affect the direction of future social policy developments. Policy areas considered include income maintenance, health, housing, and labor force development. Pre: 3014. (3H,3C).

4614: HEALTH POLICY

Inquiry into the structure of contemporary health policy and its historic antecedents, into the impacts of public policy on health status and health care delivery, into policy strategies for controlling health costs, and into the political economy of health and its influence on health policy formation. Emphasis is on the U.S. health system but that experience is placed in context by consideration of case studies of other advanced capitalist nations. Pre: 3224. (3H,3C).

4624 (PSCI 4624): THE WASHINGTON SEMESTER: SEMINAR IN AMERICAN POLITICS & PUBLIC POLICY

This seminar is the integrative forum for the principal elements of the Washington Semester experience. The course explores both the role of political institutions in policy formation and implementation and the primary managerial and leadership challenges that arise for implementing organization managers in American democratic public policy-making. Junior standing required and acceptance into the Washington Semester program. X-grade allowed. (3H,3C) III,IV.

4644 (PSCI 4644): THE WASHINGTON SEMESTER: POLITICS, POLICY & ADMINISTRATION IN A DEMOCRACY

This course is part of the Washington Semester. Explores the relationship between the imperatives of democratic mobilization, policy choices and organizational choices through intensive study of the operating context of a selected public or nonprofit organization. Examines implications of policy-maker choices for implementing institution dynamics and challenges. Junior standing and acceptance into the Washington Semester program. X-grade allowed. Pre: PSCI 3714. (3H,3C) III,IV.

4714 (ECON 4714): ECONOMICS & FINANCING OF STATE & LOCAL GOVERNMENTS

Examines the provision and financing of public goods and services in local governments. Analyzes associated policy issues. Reviews experience in Western Europe and developing countries, as well as in the United States. Pre: ECON 2006. (3H,3C).

4744: PRINCIPLES OF REAL ESTATE

Examines the relationship between the real estate market and urban development. Focuses on the private sector real estate market and how it responds to and shapes urban policy and urban planning practices. Pre: 3014. (4H,4C).

4754: LEGAL FOUNDATIONS OF PLANNING

Examination of the legal context in which urban planning and public policy operate. Legal structure, role of law, powers of sovereign governments, constitutional limitations on government activities, and public-private conflict and their influence on planning and public policy are examined. (3H,3C).

4764 (GEOG 4764) (SOC 4764): INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT POLICY & PLANNING

Examination of major development theories and contemporary issues and characteristics of low-income societies (industrialization, urbanization, migration, rural poverty, hunger, foreign trade, and debt) that establish contexts for development planning and policy-making. Junior standing required. (3H,3C).

4854: PLANNING OF THE URBAN INFRASTRUCTURE

Course examines the interdependencies among the elements of the built environment of the city and those between the elements of the built environment and the policy/planning structure of the city. Considered are those elements associated with the primary urban activities (residential, commercial, industrial) as well as the urban form-giving infrastructure facilities that support those land uses (water supply, sewerage, solid waste disposal, transportation, education, recreation, health, and safety). Pre: 3014. (3H,3C).

4914: SEMINAR IN PUBLIC & URBAN AFFAIRS

This capstone seminar explores the central questions of the role of the citizen and the citizenry in democratic capitalistic urban societies as well as the nature of accountability in such regimes. Topics such as the processes by which representation occurs, alternate theories of democratic community and the relationship of the public, private and civil sectors in urban society are treated. Senior status in PUA required. (3H,3C) II.

4964: FIELD STUDY

Variable credit course. X-grade allowed.

4974: INDEPENDENT STUDY

Variable credit course. X-grade allowed.

4984: SPECIAL STUDY

Variable credit course.

4994: UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH

Variable credit course.

Please see the Graduate Catalog for graduate course listings.

Top -- Contents

Virginia Tech -- Undergraduate Catalog, 2002-2004
Last update: August 2002

URL: http://www.vt.edu/academics/ugcat/ucdUAP.html