Course Breakdown
URBAN STUDIES CORE (21 credits)

URBN 501 (3) Urban Issues in a Global Context
URBN 510 (3) Christ and the City
URBN 540 (3) Race & Ethnic Relations or ARTS 540 (3) Community Cultural Contexts*
URBN 570 (3) Leadership Development
URBN 575 (3) Applied Research & Program Evaluation
URBN 580 (3) Urban Models for Social Transformation
URBN 690 (3) Grad. Research Project/Thesis
PROFESSIONAL SEMINARS (3 one-credit courses)

URBN 515 (1) Faith and the Professions
URBN 520 (1) Cross-Cultural Skills for Urban Srvc.
URBN 525 (1) Resource Development
URBN 535 (1) Programming for Youth Development
URBN 555 (1) Emotional Intelligence
URBN 630 (1) Special Topics
URBN 635 (1) Supervising Youth Development Practice

Courses in Concentration
     · Community Arts
     · Community Development
     · Youth Development

URBN 501
URBAN ISSUES IN A GLOBAL CONTEXT (3)

This foundational graduate course introduces transformational theories and concepts that form the basis for faith-based urban social change. With a focus on globalization and local community service, the course is based on guest lectures and seminar discussion throughout the year. Students will explore major urban problems around the world, and integrate theory and practice from urban and interdisciplinary perspectives. Students are encouraged to begin exploring models for social change collaboratives that apply specific and diverse disciplines in a single community. Students will complete required reading in global urban issues, book reviews and a collaborative community research project.

URBN 510
CHRIST AND THE CITY (3)

This course fulfills the theological requirement for the Urban Economic Development Program by addressing ministry in a multicultural, urban context. The seminar analyzes the relationship of the life and ministry of Christ to the urban context of today, both locally and globally. While taking a theological (Christological) approach, the seminar also examines biblical, social, historical, economic, and cultural factors for urban ministry within a human development framework for the formation of a "theology of the city." The purpose of the seminar is to enable students to develop their own theological foundation for urban ministry.

URBN 515
FAITH AND THE PROFESSIONS (1)

This seminar focuses on: 1) the integration of personal faith, theology and the student practice of the profession; 2) based upon a theological framework for urban transformation, the student will explore the role of the Christian in the professional world and clarify his or her role and relevant issues of ministry, including personal witness, values clarification, ethics, and social justice within diverse ethnic and faith environments. Attention will be given to the role of faith in both the public and private sectors. Readings and reflection paper are required.

URBN 520
CROSS-CULTURAL SKILLS FOR URBAN SERVICE (1)

This seminar provides basic cross-cultural skills for relationship building, community development, and conflict management in the urban context. Through discussion of cultural value and world view differences, behavior norms, and conflict management styles, the student will gain basic theoretical understanding for work and ministry in the urban context. Through in-class exercises, students will develop beginning skills for adjusting behavior in a variety of cultural contexts. Readings and reflection paper are required.

URBN 525
RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT (1)

This course will guide students in the development of a strategy for obtaining the resources necessary to support a faith-based community organization. Students will gain an understanding of the principles of grantsmanship, fundraising, and building a network of supporters. Students will also learn to conceptualize and write basic materials necessary to engage potential donors and volunteers. Students will complete a practical writing project that can be used in seeking funds for a project of their choice.

URBN 535
PROGRAMMING FOR YOUTH DEVELOPMENT (1)

This course will examine the role of community-based programs in adolescent development. The dynamics of developing a quality out-of-school time program, funding resources, and evaluation issues will be explored.

URBN 540 (*Can substitute with ARTS 540)
RACE AND ETHNIC RELATIONS (3)

It is an examination of the social, historical, economic, and cultural factors that influence society's treatment of members of various racial and ethnic groups. It acquaints the student with an understanding of how social structures are organized in terms of minority-majority relations, for the advantage of some at the expense of others. The course utilizes the comparative-historical method and a human development theoretical perspective, bolstered by structural power for the maintenance of dominance/subordination among groups.

URBN 555
EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE (1)

URBN 570
LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT  (3)

This is a course in the theory and application of leadership for effective administration of human resources in an urban context. Using the model of a community of practice, students will learn through readings, discussion, interviews, research and reflection on personal experience. The course examines various approaches to leadership and the theories that under gird them, while upholding the servant leader model of Jesus as the guiding example. Students will examine the lives of two living leaders, as well as the essential skills and characteristics necessary for effective leadership. Students will evaluate their own strengths and weaknesses as leaders and determine the kinds of organizations where those leadership abilities would best be utilized.

URBN 575
APPLIED RESEARCH AND PROGRAM EVALUATION  (3)

This course is an introduction to applied research and evaluation. The primary emphasis is on qualitative research and evaluation methods for use in private voluntary organizations such as churches, urban ministries, missions, and relief and development organizations. Applied research is presented as a systematic inquiry designed to provide information to decision makers and/or groups concerned with particular human and societal problems. Christian perspective on the purpose and practice of research is of special interest.

URBN 580
URBAN MODELS FOR SOCIAL TRANSFORMATION (3)

This culminating seminar course is taken at the beginning of the final year of the program. It requires students to study in-depth replicable models for social change. Based on research by professionals, and including site visits to community models, students will review interdisciplinary theory, collaborative processes,program evaluation, and effective practices in preparation for a required final urban community transformation project proposal. Reading, model analysis, writing a case study, and Project proposal are required.

URBN 630
SPECIAL TOPICS (1)

URBN 635
SUPERVISING YOUTH DEVELOPMENT PRACTICE (1)

URBN 690
GRADUATE RESEARCH PROJECT/THESIS (3)

The Graduate Research Project is a culminating scholarly process demonstrating the student's academic studies in the program of study. The graduate research requirement will be met by a research project. This project may be an acceptable program research project, including but not limited to a business plan or feasibility study including survey research and literature review, a program evaluation, a case study report, a major literature review, an impact case study project, or original research thesis. The final determination of the form to be selected must be decided in consultation with the director(s) of the student's study. A culminating oral presentation of the project will be presented at the Annual Graduate Research Symposium.