Graduate Curriculum Committee Course Proposal Form
for Courses Numbered 5000 and Higher
PLAN 6003
1. Course prefix and number:
2. Date:
02/14/08
3. Requested action (check only one box):
x New Course
Revision of Active Course
Revision & Unbanking of a Banked Course
Renumbering of an Existing Course from
from
to
#
#
4. Justification (assessment or accreditation based) for new course or course revision or
course renumbering:
Plan 6003 provides graduate students with knowledge of design concepts and tools
required for urban design analysis. Professionals and graduate students from ECU
and other universities in North Carolina have expressed the need and desire to pursue
urban design on a graduate level. Urban design as a field and profession is
recognized as a vital component of national smart growth policies and there is
consistent and growing demand for professionals who can address urban design
issues. The undergraduate Certificate in Urban Design that started in 2005 has been
very successful and more than 20 students have graduated with the Certificate in
Urban Design.
5. Course description exactly as it should appear in the next catalog:
6003. Design For The Built Environment (3) (F) Analysis of urban design theories, tools and
determinants of urban form. Examines the design concepts, problems, and potentials
associated with urban development projects of varying scales.
6. If this is a course revision, briefly describe the requested change:
88
7. Graduate catalog page number from current graduate catalog:
8. Course credit:
Lecture Hours
3
3
Weekly
OR
Per Term
Credit Hours
s.h.
Lab
Weekly
OR
Per Term
Credit Hours
s.h.
Studio
Weekly
OR
Per Term
Credit Hours
s.h.
Practicum
Weekly
OR
Per Term
Credit Hours
s.h.
Internship
Weekly
OR
Per Term
Credit Hours
s.h.
Other (e.g., independent study) Please explain.
Total Credit Hours
9. Anticipated annual student enrollment:
8
3
s.h.
10. Affected degrees or academic programs:
Current
Degree(s)/Course(s) Catalog Page
Changes in Degree Hours
11. Overlapping or duplication with affected units or programs:
Not Applicable
x
Notification & response from affected units is attached
12. Approval by the Council for Teacher Education (required for courses affecting teacher
education programs):
Not Applicable
x
Applicable and CTE has given their approval.
13. Statements of support:
a. Staff
Current staff is adequate
x
Additional Staff is needed (describe needs in the box below):
b. Facilities
Current facilities are adequate
x
Additional Facilities are needed (describe needs in the box below):
c. Library
Initial library resources are adequate
x
Initial resources are needed (in the box below, give a brief explanation and
an estimate for the cost of acquisition of required initial resources):
d. Computer resources
Unit computer resources are adequate
x
Additional unit computer resources are needed (in the box below, give a
brief explanation and an estimate for the cost of acquisition):
x
ITCS Resources are not needed
The following ITCS resources are needed (put a check beside each need):
Mainframe computer system
Statistical services
Network connections
Computer lab for students
Software
Approval from the Director of ITCS attached
14. Course information: see Instructions for Completing the Graduate Curriculum
Committee Course Proposal Form for more detail.
a. Textbook(s): author(s), name, publication date, publisher, and city/state/
country
b. Course objectives student – centered behavioral objectives for the course
c. A course topic outline
d. A list of course assignments and weighting of each assignment and the
grading/evaluation system for determining a grade.
A. Textbook(s) and readings.
Carmona, M., T. Heath, T. Oc and S. Tiesdell (2003), Public Places – Urban Spaces: The
Dimensions of Urban Design, Architectural Press, London
Bentley I. (1999) Urban transformations: Power, People and Urban Design, London and New
York, Routledge
B. Course behavioral objectives.
Students will gain knowledge of design concepts and tools required for urban design analysis.
Students will critically evaluate urban design theory and modern urban developments.
Students will develop an interdisciplinary understanding of urban design.
Students will have the opportunity to synthesize different theoretical constructs as well as
empirical design knowledge to prepare urban design reviews and assessments of micro and
macro-scale built environments.
C. Course content/topical outline
The first part includes a review of the urban design discourse. It exposes students to historical
as well as contemporary urban space design ideas and combines lectures, seminars and slide
shows. Themes discussed include:
Smart Growth
New Urbanism
Sustainable Cities
Downtown Historic Preservation,
Downtown Revitalization,
Streetscape Improvements,
Suburban Retrofitting,
Low Impact Development (LID)
Waterfront Development
The second part includes a review of site analysis techniques with specific references to recent
downtown developments, waterfront improvements, campus spaces, and streetscapes. This part
encompasses student presentations, slide shows, and fieldtrips.
Students are required to choose a city in North Carolina as a locale for field research. Students
must visit the chosen city and take photographs for areas with key urban design improvements
and/or in need of urban design initiatives. Students are also required to arrange for an interview
with the city planner and collect relevant information. This part culminates with the preparation
of a poster and a presentation that summarizes research findings and provides assessment based
on readings, lectures, interview results, and field research. Students should identify ways to
change or enhance the existing context.
The third part of the course allows students to synthesize theory, site analysis, and experiences
gained through lectures, seminars and dialogues with city planners. Students are required to write
a final paper analyzing urban design issues and challenges in the cities visited.
D. Course assignments, assignment weighting, and grading scale
Book review
Poster and Presentation
Paper
Grading scale:
90-100 points A
80-89 points B
70-79 points C
Less than 70 F
30%
30%
40%