BA in Liberal Studies, Urban Studies

Explore community, create transformative change.

This innovative program recognizes the unique needs and realities of our local and regional human and ecological communities.  Students receive the necessary training to become effective change-makers who can envision a socially, economically, racially, and ecologically just future. Urban Studies is offered as a major or minor area of concentration of the BA in Liberal Studies degree at AU Los Angeles.

Program Overview

Our Urban Studies Concentration explores and celebrates the unique needs, lived experiences, and realities of our human-made and natural communities. The Urban Studies curriculum incorporates the study and practice of political, historical, cultural, ecological, legislative and economic analysis, social movements and revolutions, as well as media and the arts. Students are engaged in learning from and interacting with the people and communities who represent and impact our environment and experiences, training to become effective change-makers who solve problems and enter real-world careers in social justice. 

Degree Requirements

In addition to the general degree requirements outlined on the BA in Liberal Studies page, students must successfully complete a minimum of 20 units (Minor) or 40 units (Major) for the Urban Studies Concentration. These units can be transferred or earned at Antioch. If the student has not fulfilled these unit requirements, the Area of Concentration will be designated as Liberal Studies.

Courses

The curriculum incorporates the study and practice of media; the arts; social, political, historical, cultural, ecological, legislative and economic analysis. Students are engaged in learning from and acting with the people and communities who make up our world. The core curriculum serves as a guide to students in the concentration for establishing a strong foundation and the faculty strongly recommends that Urban Studies students take as many of the core courses as possible during their enrollment.

Core Courses

• Toolkit for Community Leaders
• Writing for Social Change
• Urban Ecology: The LA River
• Urban Studies: The City as a Learning Lab
• Cinematic Los Angeles
• Social Justice and Environmental History of LA
• The Immigration Debate in Historical Perspectives
• Working Toward the Healthy City: Environmental People & Health
• Immigration Experiences in the Global City

For detailed curriculum and degree requirements, please visit the AULA catalog.

Undergraduate New Student Orientation

New Student Orientation is scheduled every term. It’s a chance for students to visit the campus, meet faculty, register for classes, and get started on their educational journey. Upon acceptance into the program, students receive specific information for the New Student Orientation designed for them.  To RSVP for an orientation, admitted students should email: [email protected] or call 310-578-1080 EXT. 3210.