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Historic Preservation Home > Syllabi > 200 Level Courses > HISP 209-02 Planning History and Practice
UNIVERSITY OF MARY WASHINGTON
Department of Historic Preservation

PLANNING HISTORY & PRACTICE – HISP 209-02
Spring 2009 - T/R 2:00-3:15 pm - Combs Hall 114

Instructor:
Dr. Andréa Livi Smith
alsmith@umw.edu
(540) 654-1316

Office Hours (Combs 134):
M 1:00 – 3:00, W 11:15-12:15
T&R 10:00 – 11:00
Or by appointment

COURSE OUTLINE

The purpose of this course is to introduce students to the theories, methods and practical applications involved in the field of planning, particularly at the state and local levels. The first section of the course will be devoted to a study of the history of planning in the United States. This will provide the proper context for the remainder of the course. The second section emphasizes modern planning concepts, tools and procedures, both in terms of theory and practice. The third section of the course focuses on various sub-disciplines of urban planning, in particular those relating to historic preservation. These include urban design, sustainability, transportation, etc.

Course Objectives:

  • Provide an overview of the development of planning in the U.S.
  • Foster a basic understanding of the theory of planning in the U.S.
  • Create awareness of current social, political, and economic issues surrounding land and land use in the U.S.
  • Develop the basis for an understanding of the relationship between land use regulations and historic preservation.
  • Encourage interest in the diverse realm of issues addressed by planning.

READINGS

Levy, J. (1991) Contemporary Urban Planning, 7th or 8th Ed. New Jersey: Prentice Hall. (The textbook will be placed on 2-hour reserve in Simpson Library)

All materials other than the textbook listed above will be made available online, either with a URL or on Blackboard. Readings are detailed in the schedule at the end of the syllabus. Refer to Blackboard for URLs and PDFs.

REQUIREMENTS

  • Honor Code: All graded work is bound by the provisions of the Honor Code and must be pledged, signed, and dated.
  • Preparation & Participation: Keeping up with readings and assignments, participating in class, and interacting with your classmates/teammates in a respectful manner will enrich the learning experience for all of us. Participation will count toward a substantial portion of your final grade.
  • Attendance & Behavior: Your attendance is vital both for your learning as well as for lively class discussion. Attendance for all in class exercises or presentations is required; these cannot be made up at a later date. Students are expected to display civil and respectful behavior during class. Cell phones must be silenced in class sessions, and laptops may only be used if used in a non-disrupting manner (no instant messaging, games, or sound). Violators will be referred to the Office of Judicial Affairs.
  • Graded Coursework: No passing grade can be achieved in this course without completion of all graded assignments, which are due at the beginning of class unless otherwise specified by the instructor. Late submissions will be marked down ten points per day. All assignments must be typed in Times New Roman, 12 pt. font, double spaced, with 1” margins all around unless otherwise noted for specific assignments. Pages should be stapled. Spelling, grammar, and punctuation errors will reduce the overall grade on assignments, so please proofread carefully and do not rely solely on computer spelling/grammar checkers! I encourage you to take advantage of the Writing Center’s assistance prior to submitting assignments.

Grading Scale

A

4.00

94-100%

A-

3.70

90-93%

B+

3.30

87-89%

B

3.00

83-86%

B-

2.70

80-82%

C+

2.30

77-79%

C

2.00

73-76%

C-

1.70

70-72%

D+

1.30

67-69%

D

1.00

60-66%

F

0.00

<60%

      In Assignment 1, students will produce a city playing the game SimCity. Furthermore, students will complete a paper explaining the similarities and differences of SimCity with actual tools and procedures of urban planning. Further instructions will be given in class.
      In Assignment 2, students will participate in a class debate regarding planning case studies. Students will be assigned to teams and will be responsible for crafting arguments for/against particular actions. Furthermore, students will each produce a short paper summarizing and analyzing the debate of other teams, choosing a victor and justifying their decision. Further instructions will be given in class.

A mid-semester report of unsatisfactory (U) will be reported if a student has a C- or below in the course at the time reports are submitted.   

Graded Course Requirements

Weight

Class Participation

10%

Mid Term Exam

25%

Assignment 1: SimCity

20%

Assignment 2: Class Debate & Paper

20%

Final Exam

25%

Office of Disability Services
The Office of Disability Services has been designated by the University as the primary office to guide, counsel, and assist students with disabilities. If you receive services through that office and require accommodations for this class, please make an appointment with me as soon as possible to discuss your approved accommodation needs and bring your accommodation letter with you to the appointment. I will hold any information you share with me in strictest confidence unless you give me permission to do otherwise. If you have not made contact with the Office of Disability Services and have accommodation needs, (note taking assistance, extended time for tests, etc.), please contact them at (540) 654-1266.

CLASS SCHEDULE AND ASSIGNMENTS

WEEK 1

1/13 T

NO CLASS

1/15 R

Class Introduction. What is Urban Planning?

WEEK 2

1/20 T

Early Developments in America
Readings: Reps, Introduction (B)

1/22 R

Washington, DC – Take 1: Planned Cities in the New Country
Readings: Reps, Chapter 9 (B)

WEEK 3

1/27 T

Cities of Industry
Readings: History of Lowell (Prologue to Products of the Mills)
http://www.nps.gov/archive/lowe/loweweb/Lowell_History/prologue.htm

1/29 R

Washington, DC – Take 2: The City Beautiful Movement
Readings: Krueckeberg, Chapter 3 (B)

WEEK 4

2/3 T

The Garden City Movement
Readings: Krueckeberg, Chapter 7 (B)

2/5 R

City vs. Suburb I
Screening: New York, Episode 7

WEEK 5

2/10 T

City vs. Suburb II
Screening: New York, Episode 7

2/12 R

The Dominance of the Automobile
Readings: Krueckeberg, Chapter 10 (B)

WEEK 6

2/17 T

MID-TERM EXAM

2/19 R

Legal Basis of Planning
Readings: Levy, Chapter 5

WEEK 7

2/24 T

The Rational Comprehensive Plan
Readings: Levy, Chapter 8

2/26 R

Alternatives to the RCP
Readings: Levy, Chapter 19

WEEK 8

3/3 T

NO CLASS – SPRING BREAK

3/5 R

NO CLASS – SPRING BREAK

WEEK 9

3/10 T

Planning Tools I - Zoning
Readings: Levy, Chapter 9

3/12 R

Planning Tools II

WEEK 10

3/17 T

Housing  & Social Justice
Readings: Levy, Chapter 11

3/19 R

SimCity Paper Due
Economic Development
Readings: Levy, Chapter 13

WEEK 11

3/24 T

Transportation
Readings: Levy, Chapter 12                     

3/26 R

Sustainability & Smart Growth
Readings: Levy, Chapter 14 & 15

WEEK 12

3/31 T

CLASS DEBATE I

4/2 R

CLASS DEBATE II

WEEK 13

4/7 T

Urban Design I
Readings: Levy, Chapter 10

4/9 R

Urban Design II
Readings: TBA

WEEK 14

4/14 T

First Debate Papers Due
Planning around the world
Readings: Levy, Chapter 18

4/16 R

Second Debate Papers Due
Planning problems today
Screening: Radiant City (I)

WEEK 15

4/21 T

Planning in the future
Screening: Radiant City (II)

4/23 R

Course Review

WEEK 16

4/30 T

FINAL EXAM