Program: Urban Studies Minor - San Diego State University

May 09, 2025

2025-2026 University Catalog

(Academic Plan Code: 117015MINS)

The minor in Urban Studies is designed to offer an interdisciplinary perspective on urban topics. It allows students to build on their discipline of interest and specialize in the study of urban development, experiences, and governance. The Urban Studies minor is an attractive option to students interested in social and behavioral sciences, humanities, environmental sciences, education, engineering, planning, policy, and business.

The minor in urban studies consists of a minimum of 18 units. To complete the minor students must take 3 core courses (9 units), 1 method course (3 units), and 2 elective courses (6 units).

Core

9 units selected from:

GEOG 354 - Geography of Cities Units: 3
P A 320 - Introduction to Urban Planning Units: 3
POL S 422 - Urban Politics Units: 3
SOC 448 - Urban Sociology Units: 3

Methods

3 units selected from:

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
GEOG 593 - GIS for Business Location Decisions 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

Electives

May include a core course not taken for core requirements or study abroad courses with permission from advisor.

6 units selected from:

AFRAS 421 - Black Urban Experience Units: 3
ANTH 529 - Urban Anthropology Units: 3
ART 547 - The Modern Built Environment Units: 3
ART 549 - Art, Environment and Place Units: 3
ART 577 - History of Architecture Units: 3
CCS 303 - Chicana and Chicano Community Studies Units: 3
CCS 355 - The United States-Mexico International Border Units: 3
ECON 401 - Public Finance Units: 3
GEOG 342 - Food, Place, and Culture Units: 3
GEOG 348 - Environment and Development Units: 3
GEOG 354 - Geography of Cities Units: 3 (if not taken as a core course)
GEOG 454 - Sustainable Cities Units: 3
GEOG 554 - World Cities: Comparative Approaches to Urbanization Units: 3
GEOG 572 - Land Use Analysis Units: 3
GEOG 573 - Population and the Environment Units: 3
GEOG 595 - Geographic Internship Units: 3
HIST 581 - Topics in Urban History Units: 3
LATAM 320 - Culture and Society of Tijuana Units: 3
LATAM 355 - The United States-Mexico International Border Units: 3
LATAM 545 - The Latin American City Units: 3
P A 310 - Management of Urban Governments Units: 3
P A 320 - Introduction to Urban Planning Units: 3 (if not taken as a core course)
P A 321 - Foundations of Urban Leadership Units: 3
P A 350 - Contemporary Urban Issues Units: 3
P A 485 - Planning and Public Policy in U.S.-Mexico Border Region Units: 3
P A 520 - Decision Making in the Urban Community Units: 3
P A 525 - The U.S. City Planning Process Units: 3
POL S 333 - Politics of Race and Ethnicity Units: 3
POL S 335 - Policy Issues and Debates Units: 3
POL S 422 - Urban Politics Units: 3 (if not taken as a core course)
SOC 411 - Police and Society in the Americas Units: 3
SOC 448 - Urban Sociology Units: 3 (if not taken as a core course)