City Studies Major (HBA)
Admissions Category: Social Sciences & Humanities
Program Overview
City Studies is an undergraduate program that introduces students to concepts and skills to understand and tackle problems of an increasingly urban world. City Studies at UTSC is one of the largest and most comprehensive urban studies programs offered in Canada. Students acquire a combination of conceptual, methodological, and critical skills relevant in many fields including city planning, real estate development, transportation, housing, community development, urban governance, and city management. The is designed to give students the opportunity to see how they might apply ideas about cities from the social sciences and kindred disciplines in their field of professional interest. The program also offers preparation for students interested in pursuing graduate education in a field of study related to cities.
Complementary Programs:
, , , Geographic Information Sciences
Check out future career opportunities and skills acquired from completing this program:
Competencies & Skills
- Critical thinking & evaluation
- Survey and sample
- Understand societal developments
- Communicate urban policy issues and identify policy strategies
- Analytical & communication鈥 Qualitative & quantitative urban research methods
- Plan and develop long-term projects
Careers for Graduates
- Outreach & Program Coordinator (Non-Profit)
- Community Development Officer (Non-Profit & Government)
- Policy Analyst (Government)
- Researcher (Government & Think Tanks)
- Mapping Analyst
- Planner and Planning Consultant
- ...and many more!
Further Education
- Planning
- Politics
- Public Policy and Administration
- Law
- Social Work
- Community Development
- Adult Education
Program Pathway
Year 1 | Year 2 | Year 3 | Year 4
Year 1
Choose Your Courses Wisely
Develop Your Academic & Research Skills
Apply Theory to Practice
Become an Engaged Citizen (Locally & Globally)
Plan for Your Future Career
Year 2
Choose Your Courses Wisely
Develop Your Academic & Research Skills
Apply Theory to Practice
Become an Engaged Citizen (Locally & Globally)
Plan for Your Future Career
Year 3
Choose Your Courses Wisely
Develop Your Academic & Research Skills
Apply Theory to Practice
Become an Engaged Citizen (Locally & Globally)
Plan for Your Future Career
Year 4
Choose Your Courses Wisely
Develop Your Academic & Research Skills
Apply Theory to Practice
Become an Engaged Citizen (Locally & Globally)
Plan for Your Future Career
Choose Your Courses Wisely
- 1.0 credit from: , , , , [ or ], [ or ], , , .
- , the gateway course into this program, introduces City Building, Community Development, and City Governance; choose the B-level CIT core courses to explore these areas.
- Consider research methods courses or .
- Use and to plan your degree.
Develop Your Academic & Research Skills
- First year courses allow you to develop basic academic reading, writing and research skills.
- Develop your research methods skills by enrolling in relevant courses.
- Visit the for assistance when doing research for your assignments; writing support is also available at the .
Apply Theory to Practice
- Apply to the Department of Student Life鈥s (DSL) First Year Experience Program or Arts First Year Learning Community.
- Volunteer in your community, for example, a Food Program, a Community Garden, or a Youth Program; or check out a City Council meeting to see how decisions are made.
- Start building your Co-Curricular Record (CCR).
Become an Engaged Citizen (Locally & Globally)
- Join the Geography & City Studies Student Association (GCSA) and attend their events and programs. See what other student clubs exist on campus and how to get involved.
- Volunteer in East Scarborough through DSL鈥檚 Community Action Projects, and Alternative Reading Week.
Plan for Your Future Career
- Volunteer with organizations to explore your interest within industries related to your program of study; check listings on the (CLNx>Jobs & Recruitment).
- Attend the UTSC Get Experience Fair in September or register with Scarborough Campus Students Union鈥檚 (SCSU) .
Year 2
Choose Your Courses Wisely
- 1.0 credits from the following: , , , .
- Use to ensure you meet your degree and program requirement.
Develop Your Academic & Research Skills
- Think about which areas of City Studies are of interest to you and what academic and research skills might be most useful to expand on.
- Seek support from your professors and TAs during office hours.
- Check the Research Catalogue on for possible undergraduate co-curricular research opportunities.
Apply Theory to Practice
- Consider enrolling in , a service learning course offered by Centre for Teaching & Learning (CTL).
- Continue exploring ways to get involved in your community on an issue that you are interested in.
- Use social media to stay informed about what is going on in the city in terms of politics, planning and community issue.
Become an Engaged Citizen (Locally & Globally)
- Open yourself to other cultures by participating in the International Student Centre鈥檚 (ISC) Development and Culture events in February and consider doing their Global Citizenship Certificate.
- Explore Global Learning opportunities such as a through the ISC.
Plan for Your Future Career
- Gain experience by applying for a summer, part-time or Work Study position via (>Jobs & Recruitment).
- If you are considering graduate school, speak to professors and program advisors early; they are also potential mentors and references.
- Explore careers through the Academic Advising & Career Centre鈥檚 (AA&CC) Job Shadowing and programs.
Year 3
Choose Your Courses Wisely
- 1.0 credit from: and ///.
- Start taking Applications and Approaches to City Studies course requirements (check UTSC Calendar for details). Aim to complete at 2.0 credits here.
- Use to ensure you are on track with your degree.
Develop Your Academic & Research Skills
- Apply to work study positions on (>Jobs & Recruitment>Work Study) focusing on building both academic & research skills within your field of interest.
- Apply for the Summer Research Exchange Program (SREP) or Program.
- Enter to win the UTSC Library or .
Apply Theory to Practice
- Most experiential learning courses are available to students in 3rd and 4th year; there are a wide variety to choose from: , , , , , (check the ); speak to your professor or program advisor for more information.
- Explore summer internships or job opportunities in a related field.
Become an Engaged Citizen (Locally & Globally)
- Look into volunteering or working overseas to expand your network through ISC鈥檚 Summer Research Exchange Program or Global Local Program.
- Make a contribution to the well-being of your community through volunteering, attending events and meetings, and taking on a leadership role in an organization.
Plan for Your Future Career
- Speak with staff at the to plan a potential career path.
- Check for possible networking events or information sessions to attend.
- Consider attending Open Houses from graduate programs; attend the in September.
Year 4
Choose Your Courses Wisely
- Complete the remainder of 1.5 credits at the C- and/or D-level from Applications and Approaches to City Studies courses (check for details).
- Take D-level courses that allow you to apply your research methods skills.
- Use to ensure you are on track to graduate.
- Register your 鈥淚ntent to Graduate鈥 on by the deadline.
Develop Your Academic & Research Skills
- If you have done well in a C- or D-level course with a faculty member and want to go deeper into the research, explore independent research courses such as .
- Check if your professors have research assistantships available.
Apply Theory to Practice
- Consider taking one or both of the two courses for hands-on practical experience.
- City Studies Workshop courses provide training in a range of career-oriented research, consulting, and professional skills.
Become an Engaged Citizen (Locally & Globally)
- Consider becoming a student member of a relevant professional association; volunteer for their events and get to know people.
- Apply your skills, passion and knowledge by sitting on the board of a nonprofit organization dedicated to an issue you care about or get involved in an election campaign of a political candidate you want to support.
Plan for Your Future Career
- Attend the AA&CC鈥檚 job search conference in April/May.
- Attend the orientation for a job search 鈥渃rash course鈥; and for access to full-time job listings.
- Get your Personal Statement reviewed in the AA&CC.
Glossary
- AACC - Academic Advising and Career Centre (www.utsc.utoronto.ca/aacc)
- CCR - Co-Curricular Record (https://clnx.utoronto.ca/ccr/overview.htm)
- CLNx - Career Co-Curricular Learning Network (https://clnx.utoronto.ca/home.htm)
- CTL - Centre for Teaching and Learning (/ctl)
- DSL - Department of Student Life (/studentlife)
- GCSA - Geography and City Studies Student Association (https://www.facebook.com/GCSAutsc)
- ISC - International Student Centre (/utscinternational)
- SCSU - Scarborough Campus Students Union (https://www.scsu.ca)
Contacts
Departmental Contact
Arifa Akhter Nitol
E-mail: arifa.nitol@utoronto.caLocation: HL 226
Phone: 416-208-4847
City Studies Librarian
Sarah Shujah
E-mail: sarah.shujah@utoronto.caLocation: HL 337
Phone: 416-287-7491
Academic Advising & Career Centre
Phone: (416) 287-7561
Department of Student Life
Location: SL157
Phone: 416-208-5129
Geography and City Studies Students Association
Did You Know?
Some City Studies courses are taught by professionals in the field of city planning, policy, and community development.