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The Urban Curriculum
The Urban Curriculum (UC) is a unique pedagogy developed at San Francisco State to provide community voice on urban issues directly into the university classroom. UC courses possess the following characteristics:
• Use of course materials that combine academic theories with real-life scenarios wherein students perform service learning at City agencies or nonprofit service organizations where they are exposed to the issues, challenges, and the politics of social justice and equity.
• The course enrolls regularly matriculated SF State students alongside staff from community-based organizations and community members representing the focus issue. The mix generates matter-of-fact inquiry and discussions. The dialogue provides valuable lessons that can not be learned through books or lectures alone.
• The course includes civic engagement activities either through service learning or community-based research.
• Expert community partners (public officials, community leaders) collaborate with SF State faculty in the design and/or delivery of the course as co-presenters or as guest lecturers.
Urban Curriculum courses generally offered are:
Economic Development, Housing and Neighborhoods in San Francisco from the Post War Period to the Present (PLSI 475 / URBS 485) is taught each fall semester. The class explores the economic transformation of San Francisco from the end of World War II to the present, with a particular focus on the relationships between different forms of economic development, the dilemmas of affordable housing, and the transformation of San Francisco's residential and industrial neighborhoods. The course is team-taught under the supervision of Dr. Brian Murphy, President of DeAnza College, and Calvin Welch, SF Information Clearinghouse.
Elementary Statistics (Math 124) was taught by Dr. Gerald Eisman this past spring to students interested in using statistics to examine social issues. The course included an introduction to participatory research, probability, data analysis, and statistical inference. Students measured the effectiveness of reentry programs and policies for formerly incarcerated people.
Developing and Managing Resources in Non-Profit Agencies (PA / Rec 570 ) is offered during the spring semester. This course, taught by Dr. Asuncion Suren, examines how nonprofit agencies can sustain themselves through fundraising strategies, marketing, volunteer recruitment, and management so they can continue to provide services in their communities. This course is a part of San Francisco State's American Humanics Certificate Program in nonprofit administration.
Empowering Poor Families to Graduate Out of Poverty (Coun / HED 280) is offered during the spring semester. In this class, Prof. Will Flowers uses a variety of methods to help students understand how the social and economic constructs of wealth and poverty have systematically impacted social justice, explore the urban environment in which systems of poverty and wealth operate, and the how they can create change through civic engagement and advocacy.
