Program: Urban Studies, Urban Sustainability Specialization, B.A. - San Diego State University

May 06, 2025

2025-2026 University Catalog

(Academic Plan Code: 117014BALS)

All candidates for a Bachelor of Arts degree must complete the graduation requirements in the section of this catalog on “Graduation Requirements .” Students are cautioned that several of the required and elective courses have prerequisites.

A minor is not required with this major

Preparation for the Major

(15 units)

ANTH 102 - Introduction to Socio-Cultural Anthropology Units: 3
or
P A 200 - The Urban Scene Units: 3
ECON 101 - Principles of Economics Units: 3
or
ECON 102 - Principles of Economics Units: 3
or
POL S 101 - Introduction to American Politics in Global Perspective Units: 3
or
POL S 102 - Introduction to American and California Government and Politics Units: 3
GEOG 102 - People, Places, and Environments Units: 3
SOC 101 - Introductory Sociology: The Study of Society Units: 3
ECON 201 - Statistical Methods Units: 3
or
POL S 201 - Statistics and Politics Units: 3
or
SOC 201 - Elementary Social Statistics Units: 3
or
STAT 250 - Statistical Principles and Practices Units: 3

Language Requirement

Competency (successfully completing the third college semester or fifth college quarter) is required in one language other than English to fulfill the graduation requirement. Refer to the section of this catalog on “Graduation Requirements .”

Graduation Writing Assessment Requirement

Complete one of the approved upper division writing courses (W) with a grade of C (2.0) or better. See “Graduation Requirements ” section for a complete listing of requirements.

Major

A minimum of 36 upper division units to include:

Nine Units of Urban Theory Selected from

CCS 355 - The United States-Mexico International Border Units: 3
also listed as
LATAM 355 - The United States-Mexico International Border Units: 3
GEOG 354 - Geography of Cities Units: 3
POL S 422 - Urban Politics Units: 3
P A 320 - Introduction to Urban Planning Units: 3
SOC 448 - Urban Sociology Units: 3

Nine Units of Urban Methods Selected from

ECON 301 - Introduction to Applied Econometrics Units: 3
GEOG 380 - Map Investigation Units: 3
GEOG 381 - Computerized Map Design Units: 3
GEOG 385 - Spatial Data Analysis Units: 3
GEOG 484 - Geographic Information Systems Units: 3
GEOG 584 - Geographic Information Systems Applications Units: 3
GEOG 585 - Quantitative Methods in Geographic Research Units: 3
GEOG 586 - Qualitative Methods in Geographic Research Units: 3
GEOG 589 - GIS-Based Decision Support Methods Units: 3
GEOG 590 - Community-Based Geographic Research Units: 3
P A 420 - Methods of Analysis in City Planning Units: 3
P A 540 - Community Mapping: Geographic Information Systems Units: 3
SOC 301 - Social Research Methods Units: 3
SOC 406 - Intermediate Social Statistics Units: 3
SOC 407 - Survey and Experimental Research Methods Units: 3
SOC 408 - Qualitative Research Methods Units: 3

Three Units of High Impact Learning

Other high impact courses or study abroad may qualify if appropriate and preapproved by the undergraduate adviser:

Three units of high impact learning and the submission of a capstone portfolio to the undergraduate adviser. This requirement may be met with

GEN S 480 - Engaged Citizenship and Social Responsibility Units: 3
GEN S 490 - Undergraduate Research Units: 1-3
GEOG 499 - Special Study Units: 1-3
GEOG 590 - Community-Based Geographic Research Units: 3
GEOG 595 - Geographic Internship Units: 3
HIST 495 - Internship in Applied History Units: 3
P A 497 - Investigation and Report Units: 3
P A 498 - Internship in Public Administration Units: 2-6

Urban Sustainability

Fifteen units selected from an area of specialization:

ANTH 353 - Sustainability and Culture Units: 3
also listed as
SUSTN 353 - Sustainability and Culture Units: 3
ANTH 532 - Anthropology of Development and Conservation Units: 3
ECON 455 - Environmental Economics Units: 3
GEOG 341 - Feeding the World Units: 3
GEOG 348 - Environment and Development Units: 3
GEOG 354 - Geography of Cities Units: 3 (if not taken as a requirement)
GEOG 360 - Human Dimensions of Climate Change Units: 3
GEOG 370 - Conservation Science and Policy Units: 3
GEOG 375 - Environmental Hydrology Units: 3
GEOG 409 - Global Climate Change Units: 3
GEOG 440 - Food Justice Units: 3
also listed as
POL S 440 - Food Justice Units: 3
GEOG 454 - Sustainable Cities Units: 3
GEOG 572 - Land Use Analysis Units: 3
GEOG 591 - Remote Sensing of Environment Units: 3
GEOG 591L - Remote Sensing of Environment Laboratory Units: 1
GEOG 592 - Intermediate Remote Sensing of Environment Units: 3
GEOG 592L - Intermediate Remote Sensing of Environment Laboratory Units: 1
HIST 584 - Topics in Environmental History Units: 3
POL S 334 - Politics of the Environment Units: 3
also listed as
SUSTN 334 - Politics of the Environment Units: 3