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• Who Should Consider the Program in Urban Studies?

Chicago: Our Complex Urban World

The greater Chicago area has approximately 6,000,000 people living, working, and playing together in relatively close quarters. Residents and workers of various racial, cultural and socio-economic backgrounds strive simultaneously to enjoy a high quality of life. Yet, the complexity of urban life—politically, socially, educationally and economically—has tremendous bearing on these efforts. Problems and solutions emerge in a variety of subtle and not-so-subtle ways. The program in Urban Studies provides you with an unusual opportunity to gain an understanding of how a city works and how people negotiate life in an urban environment not only by studying social, political, economic, and cultural institutions in Chicago, but also by getting involved in research projects with community organizations seeking solutions to pressing urban issues. Through discussion, readings, guest presentations, community tours and especially, your work on team research projects, you will contribute to developing sound, new social policy alternatives with an eye towards an improved quality of life for Chicago area residents and workers.

How does Urban Studies fit into my career interests?

Urban Studies is open to undergraduate students at Loyola University Chicago who are enrolled in the College of Arts and Science or any of the schools of the university. Students from a wide range of majors and minors will find Urban Studies directly relevant to their career paths.   Combined with your major, the Urban Studies Minor provides the additional complementary skills and knowledge work in fields such as social service, education, community organizing, business, law, politics, government, and environmental advocacy among others.

Given the research team experience you receive through the Urban Studies Seminar – working together with faculty, graduate students, other undergraduates, and community partners -- the minor also provides a distinctive research opportunity that helps undergraduates distinguish themselves when applying to graduate and professional schools.  Urban Studies students have worked on many of CURL’s research projects over the years.

Many Urban Studies students are also selected for one of the paid CURL Undergraduate Fellowship positions which provide stipends during the academic year and sometimes during the summer.

Program Requirements

Urban Studies is an interdisciplinary program of the College of Arts and Sciences. Students may complete 18 hours of credit to earn an interdisciplinary minor in Urban Studies. Read the requirements outlined here and contact David Van Zytveld for further question.

  Organization of the NorthEast youth organizers discusses affordable housing in Uptown

 

 

  City of Evanston Urban Planner discussing downtown development with Urban Studies Students