Urban Studies Senior Seminar · Urban Studies
It was senior thesis so a lot of time went into it each week but it was always manageable.
Occasional reading. Class does not meet every week. Word-count deadlines for thesis leading up to April 17 due date.
I had signed up to do my senior thesis with a different professor and about a week before the semester started, we received an email that the course would be taught by Professor Panetta instead. Professor Panetta was brand new to Barnard and given a year-long senior thesis section. The senior thesis process is intimidating and can feel overwhelming but Professor Panetta made it one of the best courses I've taken. She is kind and patient and truly wants to see her students succeed. I am so happy I took thesis with her.
Professor Smiley is my thesis advisor as an urban studies major. Although I had not taken any courses with him prior to our thesis seminar/meetings, he has proven his insight and thoughtfulness. Several times a week, Smiley sends me a personal email with ideas/articles that relate to my thesis topic, and I am not alone in this He cares deeply about each of his students' work and feels invested in our projects. The Built Environment is the ideal thesis course for urban studies majors. Linn's sociology section is too heavily weighted in interviews/social research. Smiley makes the thesis experience comfortable and enlightening.