Skip to Content
University of Connecticut

Course Descriptions

 

ANTHROPOLOGY

ANTH 248 - Urban Anthropology

(Also offered as URBN 248.) Three credits.

A general course on urbanization, emphasizing contrasts between "developed" and "developing" countries.

 

ECONOMICS

ECON 217 - Information Technology for Economics

Three credits. Prerequisites: ECON 111,112, or 102 or 113. and STAT 100QC or 110QC.

The presentation of economic data and testing of economic theory through the use of appropriate computer based tools. Analysis of macroeconomic concepts such as the consumption function, influence of the money supply, budget deficits, and interest rates on macroeconomic equilibrium, and the tradeoff between unemployment and inflation. Analysis of microeconomic concepts such as demand, supply, elasticity, the achievement of equilibrium price and quantity, and analysis of several industries and the stock market. Analysis of historical data such as aggregate and specific price levels, sectoral shifts in the economy, and changes in income distribution.

ECON 220 - Economics of Taxation and Government Spending

Three credits. Prerequisite: ECON 102 or 112 or 113. Recommended preparation for students who have passed ECON 112: ECON 111. Open to sophomores or higher.

Critical issues in taxation and government expenditures. Emphasis on institutions and public policy. Topics include: rationale for and effects of progressive taxation, reform of the tax system, Social Security and Medicare, welfare reform, defense, and fiscal federalism.

ECON 221 - Urban Development and Policy

Three credits. Prerequisite: ECON 112 or 102.

Education, housing, anti-poverty, economic development, and transportation policies for American cities and metropolitan areas. Emphasis on different roles of policies that act upon people versus places. Analysis tools for regional economic development such as input-output matrices and cost-benefit analysis

ECON 223 - Economics of Poverty

(Formerly offered as ECON 257.)Three credits. Prerequisite: ECON 111 and 112, or 102 or 113. Open to sophomores or higher.

Analysis of poverty and income maintenance programs: theories of income distribution and comparison of public policies in the U.S. and other countries

ECON 253 - Public Finance

Three credits. Prerequisite: ECON 218. Recommended preparation: ECON 111, 102, or 113, and one of: MATH 106Q, 113Q, 115Q, 118Q, or 120Q.

Government expenditures and tax policies: theories of public choice, size and mix of government budgets, alternative tax systems, and tax reform.

ECON/URBN 259 - Urban and Regional Economics

(Also offered as URBN 259.) Three credits. Prerequisite: ECON 218. Recommended preparation:ECON 111, 102, or 113 and one of: MATH 106Q, 113Q, 115Q, 118Q, or 120Q.

Economic problems of cities and regions: urban markets for land, labor, and housing; location decisions of businesses and households; metropolitan transportation problems; urban/suburban fiscal relations; urban and regional environmental quality; and the economics of crime.

ECON/URBN 259W - Urban and Regional Economics

Prerequisite: ECON 218; ENGL 105 or 110 or 111 or 250. Recommended preparation: ECON 111, 102, or 113 and one of: MATH 106Q, 113Q, 115Q, 118Q, or 120Q.

See Above Course Description

 

GEOGRAPHY

GEOG 130 - The City in the Western Tradition

(Also offered as URBN 130.) Three credits.

A broad discussion of the role and structure of the city in the western tradition from the Classical period to contemporary America. Special emphasis will be placed on the mechanisms by which cities and ideas about them have been diffused from one place to another and on the changing forces that have shaped the western city. CA 1.

GEOG 233 - Urban Geography

(Also offered as URBN 233.) Three credits. Not open for credit to students who have passed GEOG 212 or URBN 212.

Analysis of the growth, distribution, and functional patterns within and among Western cities. Application of urban geographical concepts to city planning problems.

GEOG 242Q - Geographic Data Analysis

Four credits. Three class periods and one 2-hour laboratory. Recommended preparation: 100-level STAT; MATH 101 or equivalent.

An introduction to the use of quantitative methods in conducting research, with particular emphasis on the processing and analysis of geographic data

GEOG 246C - Introduction to Geographic Information Systems

Four credits. One 2-hour lecture and two 2-hour laboratory periods. Recommended preparation: GEOG 242Q.

The study of the fundamental principles of geographic information systems (GIS). Topics include history of the field, components of a GIS, the nature and characteristics of spatial data, methods of data capture and sources of data, database models, review of typical GIS operations and applications. Laboratory exercises provide experience with common computer-based systems.

GEOG 274 - Urban and Regional Planning

Three credits. Recommended preparation: GEOG 200 or instructor consent. Open only with consent of instructor.

Urban and regional planning, with emphasis on (1) duties of local planners, especially land use planning, and (2) the political context for planners' work. Legal and political issues in communities and organizations.

GEOG 280W - Geographical Analysis of Urban Social Issues

Three credits. Prerequisite: ENGL 105 or 110 or 111 or 250. Recommended preparation: GEOG 233.

Analysis of socioeconomic patterns and issues within urban areas, with emphasis on applied geographical research. Policy implications are stressed.

 

HISTORY

HIST 238 - African American History to 1865

Three credits.

History of African-American people to 1865, from their West African roots, to their presence in colonial America, through enslavement and emancipation. Adaptation and resistance to their conditions in North America. Contributions by black people to the development of the United States.

HIST 241 - The History of Urban America

(Also offered as URBN 241.) Three credits. Baldwin

The development of Urban America with emphasis on social, political, physical, and environmental change in the industrial city.

HIST 241W - The History of Urban America

(Also offered as URBN 241W.) Prerequisite: ENGL 105 or 110 or 111 or 250.

See Above Course Description

HIST 246 - African American History Since 1865

Three credits.

History of African-American people since the Civil war. Contributions by black people to American development. African-American activity in international arenas.

HIST 247 - Immigrants and the Shaping of American History

Three credits. Recommended preparation: One course in American History.

The origins of immigration to the United States and the interaction of immigrants with the social, political, and economic life of the nation after 1789, with emphasis on such topics as nativism, assimilation, and the "ethnic legacy."

HIST 260 - Hip-Hop, Politics and Youth Culture in America

Three credits.

History of hip-hop, its musical antecedents and its role in popular culture. Race, class, and gender are examined as well as hip-hop's role in popular political discourse.

HIST 278 - History of Latino/as in the United States

Three credits.

Settlement and growth of Hispanic-origin populations in the United States today, from Spanish and Mexican settlement of the western United States to the growth of Latino communities. Student oral history project. CA 4.

HIST 294 - Asian-American Experience Since 1850

Three credits.

Survey of Asian-American experiences in the United States since 1850. Responses by Asian-Americans to both opportunities and discrimination.

 

HUMAN DEVELOPMENT & FAMILY STUDIES

HDFS 201 - Diversity Issues in Human Development and Family Studies

(Formerly offered as HDFR 201.) Three credits. Recommended preparation: HDFS 190. Open to sophomores or higher.

Critical issues in diversity and multiculturalism in human development, family relations, and professional practice. CA 4.

HDFS 274 - Public Policy and the Family

(Formerly offered as HDFR 274.) Three credits.

Analysis of government programs and policies impacting the family: child care, aging, family law, mental health, family violence, income maintenance, and family impact analysis.

HDFS 276 - Planning and Managing Human Service Programs

(Formerly offered as HDFR 276.) Three credits.

Planning techniques: needs assessment, data collection and analysis, budgeting, and evaluation. Management skills: decision making, management theory and organizational behavior, personnel motivation, accountability, and financial management.

 

INTERDEPARTMENTAL

INTD 211 - Seminar in Urban Problems – Urban Semester

Three credits. Hours by arrangement. Open only with consent of the Director of the Urban Semester Program. Must be taken concurrently with INTD 210 and 212

Discussions based upon assigned readings and led by invited speakers from within the University. CA 4.

INTD 212 - Urban Semester Field Work Seminar

Three credits. Hours by arrangement. Open only with consent of the Director of the Urban Semester Program. Must be taken concurrently with INTD 210 and 211.

Students make analytic presentations of their field experiences, relating these to the pertinent available literature. Particular urban problems are discussed with invited experts from outside the University

 

POLITICAL SCIENCE

POLS 248 - African-American Politics

Three credits.

Political behavior, theory, and ideology of African-Americans, with emphasis on contemporary U.S. politics. CA 4.

POLS 249 - Latino Political Behavior

Three credits.

Latino politics in the United States. Political histories of four different Latino populations: Mexican, Puerto Rican, Cuban, and Central American. Different forms of political expressions, ranging from electoral behavior to political art. CA 4.

POLS 260 - Public Administration

Three credits.

The politics of public administration. Role of administrative agencies and officials in American national, state, and local governments.

POLS 263W - Urban Politics

(Also offered as URBN 263W.) Three credits. Prerequisite: ENGL 105 or 110 or 111 or 250.

Political systems and problems confronting urban governments.

POLS 274 - State and Local Government

Three credits. Open to sophomores or higher.

The practical working of democracy and the role of state and local governments.

POLS 276 - The Policy-making Process

Three credits.

Introduction to the study of policy analysis. Consideration of description and prescriptive models of policy-making. Examination of several substantive areas of national policy in the United States.

POLS 291QC - Quantitative Analysis in Political Science

Three credits. Recommended preparation: High school algebra II and MATH 101 or equivalent. Open to sophomores or higher.

Explanation of the quantitative methods used in political science. Application of these methods for the analysis of substantive political questions.

 

PUBLIC POLICY

PP 220 - Public Policy Research Methods

(Not offered at Storrs through spring 2008) Three credits.

Research design for policy analysis, impact analysis, implementation analysis, program evaluation.

PP 223 - Cases in Public Policy

Three credits.

Exploration of policy analysis using case studies on various contemporary policy topics.

PP 223W - Cases in Public Policy

Prerequisite: ENGL 105 or 110 or 111 or 250.

See Above Course Description

PP 260 - Public Administration in Theory and Practice

Three credits.

Overview of public administration theory, systems and practices as they have developed in the United States. Explores the roles of public officials in the context of a pluralistic democratic society.

PP 274 - State and Local Fiscal Problems

Three credits.

Analytical tools and concepts to evaluate policies related to government revenues, the delivery of public services, and intergovernmental relations.

PP 276 - Public Policy

Three credits.

The public policy process in the United States and frameworks for understanding and evaluating contemporary policy problems.

PP 277 - Social Policy

(Formerly offered as POLS 277). Three credits.
 
Examination of the concepts and principles of public policy analysis, with applications to important social issues.

PP 296 - Public Policy Issues

Three credits. Check with Advisor. May be repeated for credit with a change in subject matter. Open to sophomores or higher.

An exploration of fundamental issues in public policy, public management and public opinion.

 

SOCIOLOGY

SOCI 205 - Methods of Social Research

Three credits. Prerequisite: SOCI 107, 115, 125, or 133.

Quantitative and qualitative methods used in sociological research: designs for gathering data, problems of measurement, and techniques of data analysis. Lectures and laboratory work. Majors in sociology should take this required course in their junior year.

SOCI 235 - African Americans and Social Protest

Three credits.

Social and economic-justice movements, from the beginning of the Civil Rights movement to the present

SOCI 248 - Aging in American Society

Three credits. This course may be used only once to meet the distribution requirements.

Social gerontology: the role and status of older people in a changing society.

SOCI 280 - Urban Sociology

(Also offered as URBN 280.) Three credits. Open to sophomores or higher.

Social and physical organization of cities and suburbs.

SOCI 280W - Urban Sociology

(Also offered as URBN 280W.) Prerequisite: ENGL 105 or 110 or 111 or 250. Open to sophomores or higher

See Above Course Description

SOCI 281 - Urban Problems

(Also offered as URBN 281.) Three credits.

Social problems of American cities and suburbs, with emphasis on policy issues.

SOCI 283 - City Life

Three credits.

Ways of life in large cities and suburbs and the culture of modernism.

SOCI 283W - City Life

Prerequisite: ENGL 105 or 110 or 111 or 250.

See Above Course Description

SOCI 284 - Communities

Three credits. Three class periods. Prerequisite: One introductory level sociology course or consent of instructor.

Sociological analysis of processes and structures of various kinds of communities.

SOCI 285 - Social Welfare and Social Work

Three credits.

Social welfare needs and programs; introduction to social work as a professional service.

SOCI 298 - Special Topics

Credits and hours by arrangement. With a change in content, may be repeated for credit. A lecture course. Topics vary by semester.

 

STATISTICS

STAT 201Q - Introduction to Statistics II

Three credits. Prerequisite: STAT 100 or 110. Open to sophomores or higher.

Analysis of variance, multiple regression, chi-square tests, and non-parametric procedures.

 

URBAN & COMMUNITY STUDIES

URBN 130 - The City in the Western Tradition

(Also offered as GEOG 130.) Three credits.

A broad discussion of the role and structure of the city in the western tradition from the classical period to contemporary America. Special emphasis will be placed on the mechanisms by which cities and ideas about them have been diffused from one place to another and on the changing forces that have shaped the western city. CA 1.

URBN 140W - Exploring Your Community

Three credits. Prerequisite: ENGL 105 or 110 or 111 or 250.

Various aspects of urban and community life emphasizing the interplay of social justice, diversity, individual and social well being. Explores theories, concepts, and methods in community studies. Includes a service learning component. CA 2. CA 4.

URBN 220 - Survey Research Methods

Three credits. Open to sophomores or higher.

Theory and practice of surveys, including overall project design, questionnaire development, sampling, methods of data collection and data analysis.

URBN 230 - Introduction to Urban Studies

Three credits. Open to sophomores or higher.

Introduction to the analysis of urban development with particular stress on those problems pertinent to the American central city.

URBN 230W - Introduction to Urban Studies

Prerequisite: ENGL 105 or 110 or 111 or 250. Open to sophomores or higher

See Above Course Description

URBN 231 - Internship in Urban Studies: Field Study

Credits, not to exceed three, by arrangement. Hours by arrangement with hosting agency. To be elected concurrently with URBN 232. Prerequisite: Consent of instructor. Students taking this course will be assigned a grade of S (satisfactory) or U (unsatisfactory).

A fieldwork internship program under the direction and supervision of a member of the Urban Studies faculty. Students will be placed in agencies or industries where their academic training will be applied. One 8-hour work day per week (or its equivalent) for the host agency during the course of the semester will be necessary for three academic credits.

URBN 232 - Internship in Urban Studies: Seminar

Credits, not to exceed three, by arrangement. To be elected concurrently with URBN 231. Prerequisite: Consent of instructor.

Description, analysis, and evaluation of the fieldwork portion (URBN 231) of the internship. Written reports are required.

URBN 233 - Urban Geography

(Formerly offered as URBN 212.) (Also offered as GEOG 233.) Three credits.

Analysis of the growth, distribution, and functional patterns within and among Western cities. Application of urban geographical concepts to city planning problems.

URBN 241 - The History of Urban America

(Also offered as HIST 241.) Three credits.

The development of Urban America with emphasis on social, political, physical, and environmental change in the industrial city.

URBN 241W - The History of Urban America

(Also offered as HIST 241W.) Prerequisite: Prerequisite: ENGL 105 or 110 or 111 or 250.

See Above Course Description

URBN 248 - Urban Anthropology

Three credits.

A general course on urbanization, emphasizing contrasts between "developed" and "developing" countries.

URBN 259 - Urban and Regional Economics

(Also offered as ECON 259.) Three credits. Prerequisite: ECON 218. Recommended preparation: ECON 111, 102, or 113 and One of: MATH 106Q, 113Q, 115Q, 118Q, or 120Q.

Economic problems of cities and regions: urban markets for land, labor, and housing; location decisions of businesses and households; metropolitan transportation problems; urban/suburban fiscal relations; urban and regional environmental quality; and the economics of crime.

URBN 263W - Urban Politics

(Also offered as POLS 263W.) Three credits. Prerequisite: ENGL 105 or 110 or 111 or 250.

Political systems and problems confronting urban governments.

URBN 280 - Urban Sociology

(Also offered as SOCI 280.) Three credits. Open to sophomores or higher.

Social and physical organization of cities and suburbs.

URBN 280W - Urban Sociology

(Also offered as SOCI 280W.) Prerequisite: ENGL 105 or 110 or 111 or 250. Open to sophomores or higher.

See Above Course Description

URBN 281 - Urban Problems

(Also offered as SOCI 281.) Three credits.

Social problems of American cities and suburbs with emphasis on policy issues.

URBN 281W - Urban Problems

(Also offered as SOCI 281W.) Prerequisite: ENGL 105 or 110 or 111 or 250.

See Above Course Description

URBN 290 - Understanding Your Community

Three credits. Recommended preparation: Three courses within the Urban and Community Studies major. With a change in content, may be repeated for credit.

Examination of an urban area or local community. Production of a detailed case study including historical perspective, analysis of issues and stakeholders, evaluation of internal strengths and weaknesses as well as external threats and opportunities. Proposal of strategies for addressing problems and advancing equity, growth, and development.

URBN 290W - Understanding Your Community

Prerequisite: ENGL 105 or 110 or 111 or 250.

See Above Course Description

URBN 295 - Variable Topics

Three credits. With a change in topic, may be repeated for credit. Prerequisites and recommended preparation vary.

URBN 299 - Independent Study

Credits and hours by arrangement. Prerequisite: Consent of instructor. May be repeated for credit