Graduate 600-Level Courses
USP 613 Urban Economic and Spatial Structure (3):
The purpose of this course is to provide an introduction to the economic and spatial aspects relevant to the field of urban studies. The course provides and overview of existing theories and empirical evidence relating to urban spatial and economic relationships. Examines the impact of federal, state, and local government policies, and changing economic conditions on these relationships.
USP 614 History and Theory of Urban Studies (3):
Leading thinkers and milestones in the analysis of urban development and urban life. Complementary theories and models of social sciences. Postmodern approaches. Visionary and critical responses to the possibilities of metropolitan life.
USP 615 Economic Analysis of Public Policy (4):
Introduction to the use of microeconomic analysis in the evaluation of public policy. Intended for entering graduate students with a limited background in economics. Develops basic analytic methods and emphasizes application of the analysis to issues of public policy. Prepares students for advanced classes that use this type of analysis.
USP 616 Cities in the Global Political Economy (3):
Introduction to political theory and the political economy of globalization. Begins with core political ideas from classical economy (Locke, Rousseau, Smith, Mills, Marx, Marshall, Keynes, Friedman, and Rawls) and proceeds to an analysis of the rise of transnationalism and globalization. Looks at changes in the global economy, revolutionary changes to capitalism, the fall of communism, and impacts of the globalization of cities, communities, the state, work, social mobility, welfare, cultural diversity, and the environment.
USP 617 Sociology of Urban Life Advanced Readings (3):
A survey of important theories and empirical research about the social structure and political dynamics of urban areas. The impacts of globalization on urban social and political life, the changing nature of community and social relations within cities and suburbs, and evolving patterns of intergovernmental cooperation and conflict within metropolitan regions will be analyzed.
USP 630 Research Design (4):
Principles of research design, including philosophical bases of scientific research, approaches to research, problem identification, problem statement, development of research questions, development of research hypotheses, and the relationship of research hypotheses to modes of data gathering and analysis. The laboratory (530L) must be taken concurrently. Prerequisite: USP 430.
USP 631 Research Utilization and Implementation (3):
Evaluates the consumption and utilization of research by alternative audiences. An understanding of the concept of expertise and the analytical and political role of the analyst and analysis. The significance of the dissemination and evaluation of research processes and products. Prerequisite: admission to the Ph.D. program in Public Administration and Policy or consent of instructor.
USP 634 Data Analysis (4):
Application of multivariate statistical analysis in an urban context. Emphasis on applications of various techniques within the general linear model. Prerequisite: USP 532. The laboratory (USP 634L) must be taken concurrently. Prerequisite: USP 532.
USP 636 Economic and Political Decision Making (3):
This course is designed to show the student the difference between economic decisions made through a market process reflecting individual preferences, and the collective or political decisions which attempt to allocate resources for the production of goods not provided in the marketplace. The technical, philosophical, and social problems raised by the attempt to provide a rational framework for making policy decisions in this no market public goods area constitute the main emphasis of the course. Illustrative applications to public goods high on the agenda for political decision are used to develop the theoretical concepts and exemplify the empirical problems inherent in the process. Prerequisite: USP 515.
USP 5/654 Data Analysis II (4):
USP 655 Advanced Data Analysis: Structural Equation Modeling (3):
USP 660 Policy Processes (3):
Focuses on the politics of the policy process. It examines the role, influence and interaction of legislatures, executives, bureaucracies, courts, policy communities and citizens. Follows the stages of policy development: problem definition, agenda setting, budgeting, authorization, implementation and oversight. Case material is taken from federal, state, and local governments with special consideration given to the intergovernmental aspects of the policy process.
USP 661 Policy Analysis: Theoretical Foundations (3):
Theories and ideologies of modern age that guide and constrain policy formation, administration and evaluation. Of particular concern is the understanding of the concepts of individualism, collectivism and community developed by the philosophers and social and behavioral scientists of this period.
USP 662 Policy Implementation (3):
Critical analysis of how policies are implemented. Examination of different theoretical and practical approaches to studying policy implementation. Emphasis on case studies of the implementation of current policy initiatives, including identification of policy goals, actors in the policy process, intergovernmental relations and conflicts, revision processes, enforcement issues, and the role of bureaucracy. Examination of how various stakeholders and actors in the policy process can have an impact on the implementation process.
USP 664 Organizational Theory and Behavior (3):
The first part of this seminar is dedicated to a review of the major theories of how we should organize ourselves to work together. The goal is to gain an understanding of organizational thought; what we used to think and why and what we now think and why. The second part is focused on the theory and practice of organizational development, the most contemporary and perhaps most promising movements in this field. Prerequisite: admission to the doctoral programs in the School of Urban and Public Affairs.
USP 668 National Long-term Care Policy (3):
This course examines the need for long-term care services and the risk factors associated with utilization of them as well as familiarizing students with the financing and delivery mechanisms in long-term care, both public and private. The policy issues in current long-term care initiatives are explored.
USP 674 Spatial Analysis (3):
The use of geographically coded data to identify and anticipate future patterns of human activity in metropolitan areas and systems of cities. Emphasizes techniques to establish whether the characteristic landscapes associated with static and dynamic models of behavior are present. Diffusion processes, expanded location theories, and models of decision making from spatially arrayed cues receive particular attention. Prerequisite: USP 532.
USP 676 Activity Location (3):
The location of human activities in urban systems. Location of economic activities where profit maximization is desired, and location decisions with equity maxima. Prerequisite: USP 519.
USP 682 Poverty, Welfare, and Income Distribution (3):
Looks at the problem of poverty in the United States and the various programs designed to alleviate or reduce the level of poverty. Looks at the measurement of the poverty level, the competing theories of poverty, and the related problems of racial discrimination. Looks at the rationale behind our anti-poverty programs and assesses how well those programs are meeting their intended goals.
USP 683 Qualitative Analysis (3):
Study of a variety of qualitative methods of analyzing social science problems with an emphasis on applications to urban studies. Students study the philosophy of academic inquiry, understanding and interpretation of social action. Specific techniques include content analysis, participant observation field observation, ethnography, interviewing and focus groups, among others. Organization, coding and analysis of qualitative data. Recommended prerequisite 630
USP 687 Perspectives on Aging (3):
An introduction to the field of gerontology is presented from the perspectives offered by multiple disciplines, including sociology, psychology, biology, economics, political science, and demography. Stereotypes of aging and theoretical frameworks for understanding aging are examined, as are normal age-related changes, the impact of social, political, and economic conditions on the process of aging, and the myriad consequences of a growing population of elders.
USP 689 Advanced Urban Politics and Sociology (3):
This is an advanced readings seminar focusing on the literature and emerging theoretical and methodological debates in the fields of urban sociology and political science. This course is intended as an intensive seminar for graduate students seeking both greater familiarity and involvement with the literature and discourse in these fields.
USP 692 Current Research in Policy Analysis (3):
Focused reading and advanced student research on emerging topics and issues in the field of policy analysis. Prerequisite: Consent of instructor.
USP 693 Current Research in Urban and Regional Structure (3):
Focused reading and advanced student research on emerging topics and issues in the field of urban and regional structure. Prerequisite: Consent of instructor.
USP 697 Urban Studies Seminar (4):
Research seminar required for second-year students in the urban studies Ph.D. and M.U.S. programs. Students apply their substantive background and methodological training to develop all the components of a social science research paper: statement of focused research question, literature review, development of hypotheses, definition of appropriate methodology, design of data acquisition, and pilot testing of data acquisition strategy. Prerequisites: USP 530, USP 513/613, USP 514/614, USP 517/617.
