URBS UN1515

A couple of short papers/projects for the semester, a group presentation, and a whole lot of tiny assignments like discussion posts, outlines, etc. Easy, if a little annoying. There are also readings before every class which will help you understand the material better, and I personally found the readings to be the best part of the class, but you don't suffer if you don't do them.

4 papers, fishbowl, participation, reflection (graded on completion). Some opportunities for extra credit.

One group project which included a group presentation and a 4-page individual report, one 4-page paper, in-class midterm, and in-class final, both of which will take the entire time to complete. 100-200 pages of reading per week.

I wish I could give Prof. Torres a high review because she is very sweet, kind, and accommodating. The class itself is easy to pass and her expectations are fair, as is her grading. However, she is terrible at communicating. She tends to mumble or not finish her sentences, repeat information, or contradict herself. I always felt MORE confused about expectations when she explained or repeated them for the fourth class in a row. She also addresses the class as if she's apologizing for even having expectations, which was really annoying and made her difficult to respect. I appreciated the content of the course - it's my major! - and readings, but every single lecture felt like pulling teeth.

If you like seminars, this class if for you. It seemed a little strange to me to have an introductory course that was based solely on in-class discussions, but if that's your jam then you'll like this class. The readings she chose for the class were really interesting, I just wish the discussions were supplemented with a few lectures. Despite that, Professor Panetta is incredibly kind and accommodating, and I can really tell she cares about her students.

I took Professor Kimberley Johnson for URBS V1515, Introduction to Urban Studies. Professor Johnson is the chair of the interdisciplinary Urban Studies program (hosted at Barnard, but open to all Columbia College and General Studies undergrads as well), and is very knowledgeable on the subject. She kept lectures interesting with multimedia presentations, guest speakers, and a personal interest in the topic. At times the reading seemed overwhelming, but some of the readings were removed as the course progressed. Also, Professor Johnson was very good at succinctly reviewing the readings, so if there is something you didn't understand or get to, the lecture will fill in the blanks. There were around 50 students in the class, so the discussion was limited, but Professor Johnson was always available after class or during office hours to discuss anything from the coursework to what other classes to take to pursuing Urban Studies as a major. Professor Johnson is not an easy grader (she apologized to the class for making the midterm more difficult than she had planned, then gave a final which was just as difficult), but there were opportunities for extra credit.

1 6-8 page paper, 1 group presentation, 1 ethnographic study and coinciding 15-20 page paper.

There was a total of 4 paper 1000-1200 words every month. These papers were worth 15% each. You also had to complete 2 out of 3 short answer reflection assignments on the papers that were worth 10%. Fishbowl Activity which was very low stress and you only had to talk like twice to get full credit. That assignment was worth 10%. There is also a participation grade worth 20% which is made up of attendance and preparation and participation in class. You had 2 readings a week for each class that averaged 10-20 pages. I spent around 5 hours a week on readings for this class.

An overarching class requiring every urban studies topic and issue. Workload is good. Would recommend for anyone interested in architecture, cities, urban development, urban planning, political science, history, and sociology.

I had no expectations going into the class but it really exceeded my expectations. The class is based off the readings so its not that lecture based. It is a conversation based class so you have to do the readings but they aren't too bad. The content of the course is very interesting and I looked forward going to class because everyone was engaged in conversation. The waitlist is very long but it's honestly worth it if you have some interest in social science. Professor Panetta is very understanding and flexible. I would 100% recommend taking this class with Professor Panetta.