Urban Affairs and Planning
Co-Chair: Tom Sanchez
University Distinguished Professor: P. Knox
Professors: J.O. Browder, S. Hirt, T. Sanchez, and M. Stephenson
Associate Professors: D. Bieri, R. Buehler, R. Hall, K. Wernstedt, D. Zahm, and Y. Zhang
Assistant Professors: M. Cowell, S. Misra, T. Schenk, and T. Skuzinski
Adjunct Professors: B. Anderson, S. Mastran, E. Morton, J. Provo, and M. E. Ridenour
Web: www.uap.vt.edu
Overview
The Urban Affairs and Planning Program (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 degree.
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 in the liberal arts tradition while equipping them with the skills, knowledge, and analytical thinking used in planning and policy. Students learn to address the political, economic, environmental, social, and governmental consequences of growth and change and to help resolve the problems that emanate from them.
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.
Degree Requirements
The graduation requirements in effect at the time of graduation apply. When choosing the degree requirements information, always choose the year of your expected date of graduation. Requirements for graduation are referred to via university publications as "Checksheets". The number of credit hours required for degree completion varies among curricula. Students must satisfactorily complete all requirements and university obligations for degree completion.
The university reserves the right to modify requirements in a degree program. However, the university will not alter degree requirements less than two years from the expected graduation year unless there is a transition plan for students already in the degree program.
Please visit the University Registrar website at http://registrar.vt.edu/graduation-multi-brief/index1.html for degree requirements.
Satisfactory Progress
University policy requires that students who are making satisfactory progress toward a degree meet minimum criteria toward the General Education (Curriculum for Liberal Education) (see "Academics") and toward the degree in Urban Affairs and Planning.
Satisfactory progress requirements toward the B.A. in Public and Urban Affairs and B.S. in Environmental Policy and Planning can be found on the major checksheet by visiting the University Registrar website at http://registrar.vt.edu/graduation-multi-brief/index1.html.
Undergraduate Course Descriptions (UAP)
1004: INTRODUCTION TO CAREERS IN URBAN AFFAIRS AND PLANNING
Introduces academic requirements for the Public and Urban
Affairs (PUA) and Environmental Policy and Planning (EPP)
majors. Assists students with academic planning and career
exploration. Students develop an ePortfolio to document
their personal and professional growth in the major. Course
must be taken during the first semester in the PUA or EPP
program.
(1H,1C)
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)
2004 (REAL 2004): PRINCIPLES OF REAL ESTATE
Introduction to real estate, including markets, land use
planning and zoning, development, finance, construction,
sales, marketing, management and property valuation.
Examines the key actors and processes in each of these
areas. Explores major public policies impacting real estate.
(3H,3C)
2014: URBANIZATION AND 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)
2964: FIELD STUDY
Pass/Fail only. Variable credit course.
2984: SPECIAL STUDY
Variable credit course.
3014: URBAN POLICY AND 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.
Must complete prerequisite UAP 1024 with a B- grade
or higher.
Pre: 1024.
(3H,3C)
3024: URBAN AND REGIONAL ANALYSIS
Overview and application of various methods used to
study, represent, understand communities in their
urban and regional context. Data collection and analysis;
population, land use, transportation and economic
forecasting; selecting and applying an appropriate
method; designing and presenting a community
study. Restricted to majors and minors only.
(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. Must complete prerequisites
UAP 3014 (B- or higher) or 3354, and UAP 3024
(B- or higher).
Pre: 3024, (3014 or 3354).
(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 AND 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)
3434 (PSCI 3414): PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION
The role and context of public administration in the
contemporary United States, administrative organization and
decision-making, public finance, human resources
administration, and program implementation.
Pre: PSCI 1014.
(3H,3C)
3444 (PSCI 3444): ADMINISTRATIVE LAW AND POLICY
The legal context of the exercise of discretion by public
administrators in the United States. Adjudication and rule-
making; access to administrative processes and information;
legislative and judicial control of administration.
Pre: PSCI 1014.
(3H,3C)
3464 (AHRM 3464) (APS 3464) (GEOG 3464) (HD 3464) (HUM 3464) (SOC 3464): APPALACHIAN COMMUNITIES
The concept of community in Appalachia using an
interdisciplinary approach and experiential learning.
Interrelationships among geographically, culturally, and
socially constituted communities, public policy, and
human development. Pre: Junior standing.
(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: PSCI 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: PSCI 1014 or PSCI 1014H.
(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: PSCI 1014 or PSCI 1014H.
(3H,3C)
3954: STUDY ABROAD
Variable credit course.
3984: SPECIAL STUDY
Variable credit course.
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.
Pre: Senior standing required.
(3H,3C)
4214 (GEOG 4214) (WGS 4214): GENDER, ENVIRONMENT, AND INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT
Key concepts and critiques related to the intersection of
gender, environment, and international development.
Development institutions and organizations with relationship
to gender and environment. Theoretical and applied
perspectives on eco-feminism; bio-diversity; climate change;
feminist political ecology; agriculture and natural
resources; participatory methods and empowerment. Case
studies from Africa, Asia, and Latin America. Pre: Junior
Standing.
(3H,3C)
4264: ENVIRONMENTAL ETHICS AND 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.
(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: 4754, AAEC 3314.
(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, 3224.
(2H,5L,4C)
4364: SEMINAR IN ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY AND 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, 3224.
(2H,2C)
4374: LAND USE AND ENVIRONMENT: PLANNING AND 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: Junior standing.
(3H,3C)
4384: POLLUTION CONTROL PLANNING AND 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.
(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: (MATH 1016 or MATH 1025).
(3H,3C)
4624 (PSCI 4624): THE WASHINGTON SEMESTER: SEMINAR IN AMERICAN POLITICS AND 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. Pre: Junior standing or instructor consent
and acceptance into the Washington Semester program.
X-grade allowed.
(3H,3C)
4644 (PSCI 4644): THE WASHINGTON SEMESTER: POLITICS, POLICY AND 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. Pre: Junior standing
and acceptance into the Washington Semester program
required.
X-grade allowed.
Pre: PSCI 3714.
(3H,3C)
4714: ECONOMICS AND FINANCING OF STATE AND 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. Must complete
prerequisites UAP 3024 with B- grade or higher, and
ECON 2005 and 2006 with C grade or higher.
Pre: 3024, (ECON 2005 or ECON 2005H), (ECON 2006 or ECON 2006H).
(3H,3C)
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.
Pre: Junior standing required.
(3H,3C)
4764 (GEOG 4764) (SOC 4764): INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT POLICY AND 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 interdependences 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: 3224.
(3H,3C)
4914: SEMINAR IN PUBLIC AND 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. PUA majors and minors
must complete this course with a C grade or higher
to graduate; otherwise course must be repeated.
Pre: 3224, 4714, 4754.
(3H,3C)
4954: STUDY ABROAD
Variable credit course.
4964: FIELD STUDY
Variable credit course. X-grade allowed.
4964H: HONORS FIELD STUDY
Variable credit course.
4974: INDEPENDENT STUDY
Variable credit course. X-grade allowed.
4984: SPECIAL STUDY
Variable credit course.
4994: UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH
Variable credit course.