Program in Urban Studies

The Program in Urban Studies is an interdepartmental plan of study for undergraduates that offers an interdisciplinary framework for the study of cities, metropolitan regions, and urban and suburban landscapes. With courses in diverse departments, including art and archaeology, music, civil and environmental engineering, sociology, and politics along with the School of Architecture and the Woodrow Wilson School of Public and International Affairs, the program encourages students to think about metropolitan centers in all their complexity—as physical spaces, social, cultural, political, and economic nexuses, and historical artifacts.

The program is offered through the Woodrow Wilson School’s Policy Research Institute for the Region (PRIOR), which enables students to take advantage of its many programs pertaining to the important urban areas in close proximity to campus. In addition, students are advised about opportunities to acquire field experience in urban settings through the Community-Based Learning Initiative (CBLI) and, when appropriate, encouraged to participate in that program to gain practical experience in urban policy and service delivery. Those students with appropriate background and training are also encouraged to study and conceptualize cities in a comparative, international perspective, using the resources of Princeton’s area studies and international relations programs. Please consult the Undergraduate Announcement for more details.