Introduction to the historical roots, periods, and personalities that have shaped the profession. A study in the development of the profession within the context of urban American history.

Overview of theories that have contributed to the development of contemporary urban planning; theories introduced include rationality, advocacy, and critical. Also studied are issues related to professional ethics, race and class, and urban development.

Introduction to the use of quantitative reasoning and statistical techniques to solve planning and policy problems. This course focuses on application of descriptive and inferential statistics, sampling, regression analysis and modeling.

Introduction to the basis in constitutional, common, and statutory law for the authority of plan effectuation. This course delineates the legal and legislative bases for planning at the local, state, and federal levels.

This course provides an understanding of the dynamics that created contemporary urban and regional spatial patterns, elements of physical planning in relation to social, economic, and political forces as well as the role of the urban designer in the planning process.

Thorough review of the problems and issues related to housing planning and policy dealing primarily with inter-relationships and interdependencies among socio-cultural, economic and physical aspects of housing. This course focuses on the social, political, and economic aspects of housing policy in the United States.

Investigates processes of community development for their application in community building in African American communities. Explores the development of a model for development and discusses various roles of participants in the community development process.

Overview of the elements of the community development process including housing, economic development, education, public safety, social services, transportation, infrastructure, the environment, citizen participation and leadership. This course places an emphasis on the application of planning methods and theory to the resolution of community problems.

Exploration of planning and political activities that contribute to the restoration of older neighborhoods. Impacts of economic, social, and political processes that govern decision making and funding for revitalization efforts.

Emphasizes private decision making and development, public/private relationships, and regulatory activities. This course explores patterns of land utilization from the perspectives of the neighborhood, city, and metropolis.

Introduction to the issues, policies, and techniques related to the role of citizens in the public decision making process. Consideration will be given to legislative requirements for public involvement as well as the role of survey research in the citizen participation process. Techniques for developing local capacity through citizen mobilization and a focus on community building are explored.

Overview of the principle of public budgeting, capital budget planning and public finance strategies. This course considers issues surrounding local development and fiscal decision making as they relate to project planning, revenue sources and project evaluation.

Strategies and tools for developing employment, business ownership, and investment in local, state, and regional economies. This course focuses on contemporary economic development patterns and practices in central cities and urban areas in the South.

Examination of the role of local government in the city planning process. Special consideration is given to the functional areas of planning such as transportation, housing, neighborhoods, environmental constraints, and land use.

Comprehensive overview of the field and the efforts being made to organize, control, and coordinate environmental, aesthetic, and uses of nature and of man-made substances. This course focuses on the problems, potential solutions, and methodologies of public policy, law, and economics as they affect environmental issues in planning.

Techniques employed to manage growth-related change and to implement plans. This course focuses on matters of capital investment, development impact analysis, impact mitigation, ethical implications, and alternative growth potentials.

Investigation of the issues and affects of decision making related to environmental justice. This course focuses on the history of the development, cases, and advocacies for ethical decision making related to the environment.

Small-town planning, rural populations, and development dynamics are explored. This course focuses on the social, economic, political, and environmental factors that are employed by planners to assist citizens plan for quality futures.

Introduction to the theory and practice of urban and regional planning. Planning as a method of decision making and strategic choice, goal setting, alternative development, and implementation solutions.

Examines urban development issues and impacts in Third World nations. This course explores issues of environmental quality, policy responses, housing production, biological diversity, agriculture, conservation, wildlife management, and socio-economic pressures

Interactive community and governmental dynamics in plan implementation are explored. This course focuses on the use of land-use regulatory tools and community facilities in implementing the plan.

The theory, practice, and consequences of zoning as a land use tool in the implementation plans. This course includes the legal and administrative elements employed in zoning law, ordinance preparation, and other regulatory devices.

Issues of revitalizing and preserving historic resources are explored. This course focuses on the history, context, methods, and public policies related to historic preservation movements and programs.

Studio introducing graphic communication (in two and three dimensions) as visual organization and sequencing of the complex and varied information considered in the decision-making process of planning. Exercise of cognitive and aesthetic judgment by selective use and drawing of lines, planes, perspective, solids, shade, shadow and color; including introduction to the examination of aesthetic, symbolic and cultural elements of design.

Examines planning and policy issues surrounding public services and facilities. Topics include the distribution of the benefits and costs of various public services and fiscal, traffic, and environmental impacts of land development.

Studio introducing the concepts, issues and methods of computer-aided design as a tool in the planning and urban design process. A previous knowledge of computers is not required. (

Investigates the development of physical form of cities through models, geographic landscape, and intentional human use. This course focuses on the manner in which people exploit land and human experiences that determine design principles.

Introduction to site analysis, using environmental and engineering principles and modeling exercises to analyze and understand the use of land for development purposes. This course focuses on elements of grading, drainage, and landscape architecture.

Students electing to not pursue the thesis option may enroll in this course to conduct a special project topic. A maximum of three credits are allowed for this course.

This course provides students with an in-depth understanding of regional planning - its historical roots, current practices, regionalism. Regional planning, metropolitan planning, and similar terms are constantly being used by planners. What do these terms mean? How can they influence practice and scholarship in this field?

Students wishing to explore an in-depth study of a topic not directly offered in the curriculum may enroll in this course. A maximum of six credit hours of independent study may be accrued. Permission of the faculty is required.

Students pursuing the thesis option must enroll in this course. This course focuses on the methodology and techniques of writing a thesis, including the research and presentation of the document.

Students electing the thesis option must obtain approval from the faculty for the prospectus. All requirements of the Graduate School for submission dates must be met.

Intensive investigation and discussion of major contributing factors to the economic, social and ecological development of cities. The course will require students to apply historical research methodologies in the analysis of urban agglomerations.

Study of the advanced theoretical concepts in urban planning and the relationship between planning theory and social science precepts. Comparative analysis of theories that stimulate planning thought and philosophy.

The course is designed to offer state-of-the-art procedures and paradigms in statistical applications.

Students acquire a foundation in conceptualization, measurement, research design, prospectus preparation, data collection, approaches to data analysis, documentation, and presentation of substantive research.

In this course students examine the theory and practice of professional ethics. The principles of ethical thinking and behavior in the planning profession are covered extensively.

This course examines the policies that impact housing systems in the United States. Factors contributing to housing shortages and housing costs are analyzed, and programs developed to address these issues are evaluated. Additionally, the role of housing advocacy is studied.

A thorough analysis and evaluation of the principles and practices of community development. Substantive areas of housing, economic development, education, public safety, social services, transportation, infrastructure, the environment, citizen participation and leadership will be selectively covered. This course places an emphasis on the application of planning methods and theory to the resolution of community problems.

In-depth study of a selected problem related to urban revitalization. Students will be required to prepare a detailed planning document addressing the redevelopment needs of a specific urban neighborhood or area. Topics vary each semester depending on research opportunities.

This course provides an intensive study of the roles of citizen participation influencing the public planning process. Consideration is given to emerging methods and programs for public involvement as well as the role of survey research in the citizen participation process. Techniques for developing local capacity through citizen mobilization and a focus on community building will be explored.

An in-depth examination and evaluation of strategies and tools for developing employment, business ownership, and investment in local, state, and regional economics. This course allows students to conduct research on a specialized interest in the areas of economic development and finance, while gaining a greater understanding of the relationship between local and regional economic development patterns and practices.

This course will examine the key role of politics and the planning functions that are carried out by local governments within the United States. Key issues in several functional areas will be highlighted such sustainable development that will focus on transportation, environmental concerns, housing, land use, and community economic development.

This course investigates the major competing theories and policies related to the built environment and natural world. Methods of classifying and evaluating the effects of pollution upon natural and social systems are discussed.

In this course, students examine the theory and practice of country side development and planning. The principles of ecological, socio-economic, political elements and development models shaping planning for rural communities in a substainable setting are covered extensively.

Selective problems related to urban and/or rural issues are presented. Students are required to prepare (individually or in teams) area or comprehensive plans that are designed to provide alternative solutions to identified problems.

An overview of conditions, policies, and programs that characterize living patterns in international settings. Students are required to conduct research and make scholarly presentations regarding the diverse settlements found in western and non-western nations.

The theories, practices and rationalizations for planner involvement in the implementation of alternatives are investigated. Students are required to present a formal strategy for the implementation of a planning proposal.

Examination of the social, physical and cultural determinants of form, pattern, and space that expresses the heritage of urban design and city building; and the role of urban design in the fields of architecture, landscape architecture and urban planning.

Exploration of the theoretical, methodological and practical issues of urban design, including urban space and morphology, conceptions of place, cognition, perception and information field theory. Students will gain a working competence in at least one of the methods analyzed. Focus on selected contemporary issues in commercial and neighborhood design and planning.

Systematic study of specialized subject matter leading to the design and effectuation of physical improvement plans, program design, and public policies. Synthesis of urban design and planning issues and research methods in a laboratory setting. Topics vary each year, depending on current planning interest and needs.

Discussion and critique of selected research work and analytical methods involving issues of urban design. Presentation and critique of research proposed by members of the seminar. D. core courses and required urban design concentration courses.

This course is designed to study the most current and effective practices to study the most current and effective practices in the profession. A range of considerations related to the techniques of intervention methods of design, and public involvement in the planning and decision-making process are selectively covered.

In this colloquium students read and discuss the assigned books. The instructor facilitates the discussion. Each student will be responsible for at least two readings and weekly discussions.

By arrangement with the advisor and approval with the faculty, students may pursue a topic of special academic or research interest. The independent research must be at an advanced graduate level and related to the field of planning. May be repeated with change of topic.

The course is designed to specifically and exclusively for those students who have completed all required coursework, obtained permission to enroll from the Department Chair, and seek time to prepare for the Comprehensive Examination. The course will permit qualified students to interact with faculty and colleagues to properly prepare for the Comprehensive Examination. Permission from the Department Chair is required.

Working with a faculty approved committee, the student is required to undertake dissertation research. D. course work, approved dissertation proposal, and dissertator status with the Graduate School. Course may be repeated provided progress is being made on the dissertation.