Course Spotlights - Fall 2026
Want to make a real difference in your community? Take an Urban Studies and Planning course in Fall 2026.
Learn how to shape future cities with a focus on sustainability, transportation, and community design. You’ll get practical experience and work with experts as you tackle current urban challenges. Sign up now for Fall 2026 courses and start your journey to becoming an urban planner!
URBS 150 Discover the City
This course requires students to make connections between their daily experiences and urban life. Housing, neighborhoods, parks, transportation, environmental conditions, urban infrastructure and other aspects of urban living are examined. Students will investigate a range of urban problems and effective solutions with examples from Southern California and elsewhere. Course assignments will include active exploration of the city.
- Available for General Education Requirement: Area 4 Social & Behavioral Sciences.
- Courses offered:
- Mondays & Wednesdays from 10:00 AM - 11:15 AM
- Mondays & Wednesdays from 11:30 AM - 12:45 PM
- Mondays & Wednesdays from 1:00 PM - 2:15 PM
- Mondays & Wednesdays from 2:30 PM - 3:45 PM
- Mondays & Wednesdays from 4:00 PM - 5:15 PM
- Tuesdays & Thursdays from 10:00 AM - 11:15 AM (ONLINE)
- Tuesdays & Thursdays from 11:30 AM - 12:45 PM
- Tuesdays & Thursdays from 1:00 PM - 2:15 PM
- Tuesdays & Thursdays from 2:30 PM - 3:45 PM
- Tuesdays & Thursdays from 4:00 PM - 5:15 PM
URBS 220 Cities and Climate Change
Introduction to the complex relationship between the urban and global environments. This course explores the scientific, social, economic, and cultural aspects of climate change, and addresses mitigation and adaptation strategies for cities and regions. Emphasis on the critical analysis and development of climate action plans.
- Available for General Education Requirement: Basic Skills Area 1B Critical Thinking.
- Courses Offered:
- Mondays & Wednesdays from 8:30 AM - 9:45 AM
- Mondays & Wednesdays from 11:30 AM - 12:45 PM
- Mondays & Wednesdays from 1:00 PM - 2:15 PM
- Mondays & Wednesdays from 4:00 PM - 5:15 PM
- Tuesdays & Thursdays from 1:00 PM - 2:15 PM
URBS 310 Growth and Sustainable Development of Cities
Examination of the forces contributing to the form, structure and sustainable development of cities. Emphasis on urban areas of the U.S. Conservation of resources and heritage in city development will be considered.
- Prerequisite: Completion of the lower division writing requirement.
- Available for General Education Requirement: Area 4 Social & Behavioral Sciences.
- Courses Fully Online Offered:
- Mondays & Wednesdays from 10:00 AM - 11:15 AM
- Mondays & Wednesdays from 4:00 PM - 5:15 PM
- Tuesdays & Thursdays from 11:30 AM - 12:45 PM
- Fridays from 11:30 AM - 2:15 PM
URBS 350 Cities of the Developing World
Urbanization process of cities with an emphasis on the historical background and the social, economic, cultural and political factors responsible for shaping cities in the developing world. Spatial dimensions of the urbanization process and common urban problems are explored using case studies of cities in Africa, Latin America, the Caribbean, the Middle East and Asia.
- Prerequisite: Completion of the lower division writing requirement.
- Available for General Education Requirement: CSUN Section F Comparative Cultural Studies.
- Tuesdays & Thursdays from 10:00 AM - 11:15 AM
URBS 380 Los Angeles: Past, Present, Future
Multidisciplinary investigation of the Los Angeles urban area, its patterns of population and resources distribution; its historical, economic, social and cultural developments; and policies models designed to cope with its problems and to develop its potential as an ethnically diverse metropolis on the Pacific Rim. Application of social science methodology. Series of faculty and guest speakers, weekly discussion sessions and field trips.