Programs in Urban Community Studies (UCS) are offered at the Jacob H. Carruthers Center for Inner City Studies (CCICS), 700 East Oakwood Boulevard, 60653, in the heart of Chicago's historic Bronzeville community. The scholar/activist thrust is the overriding entity that drives the community and academic programming of the programs of the Carruthers Center.
The Programs in Urban Community Studies, through the Goodwin College of Education, offer the following degrees:
Bachelor of Arts in Urban Community Studies
Minor in Urban Community Studies
Master of Arts in Urban Community Studies
Major in Urban Community Studies for the Bachelor of Arts Degree
The Urban Community Studies undergraduate program seeks to introduce undergraduate students to the social, cultural, political and economic forces that impact urban communities. It reflects the ongoing trends and developments that continue to be a part of the changing demographics of the city so that students become equipped with understanding the complexity, diversity, and history associated with urban spaces. UCS seeks to prepare students to acquire employment in the broad fields of social and human services including community organizations, alternative educational programs such as charter schools, contract schools, after school programs, and mentorship programs aimed at improving the condition of urban youth. This is not a teacher preparation program and does not lead to licensure.
Specific Goals of the Bachelor of Arts Degree in Urban Community Studies
- Identify, deconstruct, and decode the existing socio-economic forces that influence Urban Community structures.
- Examine the literature, scholarship, social movements, and activism associated with understanding Urban Community issues.
- Identify and analyze culturally relevant models to navigate dilemmas faced in the Urban Community.
- Prepare UCS majors to pursue graduate degrees in Urban Community Studies and other related fields.
Admission Requirements
Undergraduate admission to Northeastern Illinois University
University Core Curriculum Requirements
| General Education Distribution Area | Cr. Hrs. |
|---|---|
| Fine Arts (FA)* 2 courses, from at least two of the following areas of study: Art, CMT (Mass Media or Theatre), Music (includes Dance). | 6 |
| Humanities (HU)* 3 courses, from at least two of the following areas of study: CMT (Communication), English, Linguistics. Philosophy, Women's and Gender Studies, World Languages and Cultures, (Note: No more than two foreign language courses may be used to fulfill this requirement.) | 9 |
| Behavioral/Social Sciences (SB)* 3 courses, from at least two of the following areas of study: African & African American Studies, Anthropology, Computer Science, Economics, Geography & Environmental Studies, History, Justice Studies, Latino & Latin American Studies, Political Science, Psychology, Sociology, Social Work | 9 |
| Natural Sciences (NS and NSL)** 3 courses, from at least two of the following areas of study; one course must have a laboratory component (NSL): Biology, Chemistry, Earth Science, Environmental Science, Physics (Note: If an FYE ANTH that counts as Natural Science is taken, only one Biology course may be used for Natural Science). | 9 |
| Engaged Learning Experiences | |
| Students must complete, at Northeastern, three courses designated as Engaged Learning Experiences courses. One of the Engaged Learning Experiences courses must be at the 300-level, and one Engaged Learning Experiences course must be designated as "Boundary Crossing". | |
| Discipline Specific (ELE-DS) These courses have pre-requisites that are specific courses within a program of study. Discipline Specific courses give students a deeper understanding of how knowledge is created and applied in their field. | |
| Boundary Crossing (ELE-X) These are courses that cross disciplinary boundaries and/or cross boundaries through engagements outside the classroom or University allowing students to see how knowledge gained in one field might inform other fields or other aspects of society. | |
| Math/Quantitative Reasoning (MA) 1 Math course, that has intermediate Algebra as prerequisite OR is a course listed on the General Education Distributive Learning List of Approved Courses. Any 3 hour college level math course, beyond Intermediate Algebra, meets this requirement. |
- *
Majors in Fine Arts, Humanities or Social/Behavioral Sciences, may waive up to 6 credit hours of General Education requirements in the corresponding distribution area.
- **
Majors in Natural Sciences may waive up to 9 credit hours of General Education requirements in the Natural Sciences distribution area.
Students should also be aware of all other university requirements to obtain a degree - NEIU requirements
Major in Urban Community Studies requirements
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses | ||
| UCS-103 | Introduction To Urban Community Studies | 3 |
| UCS-201 | Power And Oppression In The Urban Community | 3 |
| UCS-302 | Urban Education And The Art Of Critical Pedagogy | 3 |
| UCS-303 | Writing Intensive Program: Research Writing In Urban Community Studies | 3 |
| UCS-304 | Contemporary Issues In Urban Community Studies | 3 |
| UCS-343 | Racism, Xenophobia, And Bias In The Urban Context | 3 |
| ELECTIVES | 12 | |
| Media And Popular Culture In Urban Communities | ||
| Trauma, Resilience, And Resistance In Urban Communities | ||
| Structural Violence In The Urban Community | ||
| Film Analysis In The Urban Context | ||
| Motherhood Studies In The Urban Community | ||
| A Critical Analysis Of Hip Hop Culture | ||
| Seminar In Urban Community Studies | ||
| Total Hours | 30 | |
Program Maintenance Criteria
Students must maintain a minimum 2.5 grade point average every semester. Should the candidate’s GPA fall below 2.5 in any semester or the cumulative GPA falls below 2.5, the student is allowed one semester to raise the GPA back to 2.5.
Exit Requirements for Degree Completion
Minimum credit hours for degree: 120 credit hours
A minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5