Associated Colleges of the Midwest (ACM): Urban Studies in Chicago
- The goals of the ACM Urban Studies Program in Chicago are to provide students with an intimate look at the way Chicago functions as a city and assist them in acquiring skills for use in a career while contributing to public life. The program features four academic components: the Core Course, Seminar, Internship and Independent Study Project.
- The Core Course introduces students to Chicago and focuses on giving a comprehensive view of the city, examining how art, business, and politics intertwine and exploring how race, class, and ethnicity affect culture and commerce. A series of guest lectures provides the opportunity to interact with people actively engaged in the areas being studied. The course offers an introduction to urban public policy organized around themes such as health care, mass transit, neighborhood development, and public education. Common readings prompt conversation, research, and exploration. Most importantly, the Core Course gets students into the city to meet people who are working in the arts, solving problems, and transacting business.
- The Seminar involves extensive reading and writing on topics related to individual areas of interest, such as immigration and labor, racism, faith and social justice, women's issues, housing, Chicago media, and politics.
- During the Internship -- supervised work experience with a non-profit organization -- students work 12-15 hours per week, and class meetings allow students to reflect on their work experiences and integrate them into their academic work. There is a wide range of possible placements, including the public defender's office, public television, local election campaigns, and youth centers.
- A unique feature of Urban Studies is the Precept, which links students' living arrangements -- groups of two to four students in a furnished apartment clustered together with several other groups in a Chicago neighborhood -- with Independent Study Projects. Neighborhood experts help students explore the assets of their neighborhood, participate in community activities, and develop a project that can make a difference.
- Numerous field trips are included in the program. Accommodation is in shared apartments.
- Eligibility: Open to students with strong interest in urban studies.
For a Program Adviser Appointment, contact:
Professor Carter, (Anthropology) Goodnow 104
Associated Colleges of the Midwest | PH: 312-263-5000 | Fax: 312-263-5879
acm@acm.edu
