
Important Updates | Newsfeed | |
Cancellation of INI309H1SDue to lower than expected enrolment, the USP is regrettably cancelling INI309H for this coming academic year. Given that INI309H is not a core course for any USP Subject POSts, this should not cause undue upset in terms of students’ time to completion. Please accept our sincere apology for this last minute cancellation. Regards, Richard J. DiFrancesco, Ph.D., M.C.I.P., R.P.P. Important Note Regarding Program Changes for 2011-12Dear students of the Urban Studies Program (USP), as you know students in the Specialist POSt must take the pairing (INI338H+INI430H) in order to complete the program. Students in the Major POSt can take this same pairing OR INI437Y to complete their program. For the coming academic year, I will be introducing a new pairing (INI336H+INI433H) that will be taken as equivalent to (INI338H+INI430H) for all students. So, if you were planning on taking (INI338H+INI430H) this coming year, these will not be offered, but instead the pairing (INI336H+INI433H) will be offered. So, as far as your program of study is concerned, this will be a simple seamless substitution. If you already have the pairing (INI338H+INI430H) you can still take either or both of (INI336H+INI433H) but priority will be given to those students who need the courses for their program requirements. The course descriptions have not been finalized but their titles and descriptions are as follows: INI336H - CREATIVE CITIES: this course will examine contemporary conceptualizations of urban growth and change through the lens of the "Creative Capital" thesis. Emphasis will be placed on understanding the tenets of this thesis and how they compare to more traditional interpretations. INI433H - SPECIAL TOPICS IN URBAN STUDIES: CREATIVE CITIES PRACTICUM: this course will focus on in-depth applied research into how the benefits of creative cities can be (or have been) cultivated in various parts of Toronto (and other places). The objective will be to determine what, if anything, can be done "on-the-ground" to facilitate the creation of a creative city. For those students ENROLLED IN THE USP SPECIALIST OR MAJOR POSts who have completed INI338H and had intended to complete INI430H in 2011-2012, you can step directly into INI433H WITHOUT TAKING INI336H. INI338H will serve you well as background for the course. Of course, if you have already taken INI338H you are still free to take INI336H (space permitting) and I can count INI338H as 0.5 FCES in breadth requirements. So, there is no need to worry about this causing you extra time. Indeed, my intention in making this change is to enrich the program. I am quite sure everyone will benefit tremendously from these new additions. Note: If you have taken INI430Y in the past, your program requirements are likely already met (or they will be with the completion of INI437Y). As such, admission to these courses can only be accommodated if space remains after all priorities have been met. Best regards, Prof. D. |
The Urban Studies Program
@ Innis College
Urban planners, engineers, economists, geographers, architects and environmental scientists (to name a few) all study the city from their specific theoretical and philosophical perspectives. The Urban Studies Program at Innis College is based on a recognition of this multidisciplinarity, and it aims to provide students with a multitude of lenses through which to observe, interpret and understand urban life.
The Program is suited for those students who wish to study cities using several disciplinary approaches. It is also of interest to those students who wish to become involved in urban issues in Toronto. The Program offers an internship in the office of either a municipal politician, non-profit research group, or other government organization as part of its experiential learning program. Class sizes are typically small and interaction with other students and professors is enriched
Because urban issues are so varied, a Specialist, Major or Minor in Urban Studies combines well with many other programs of study. Students are advised to consult the Program Director when designing programs that meet their particular interests.
The Program encourages students to take advantage of the Study Elsewhere Program at the University of Toronto to broaden their knowledge of cities.