Urban and Suburban Studies

Why choose urban and suburban studies at North Central College?

You’ll work closely with faculty who are published authors and experts on Chicago history, media, sports, jazz, architecture and art history. Through the Chicago Term, these professors will extend the boundaries of your classroom as you travel through the city’s vibrant neighborhoods for faculty-led lectures, field trips and research. You'll examine principles of social justice while you explore the history, culture and social fabric of the inner city and suburban communities.

You can also:

Hear presentations by visiting lecturers and attend on-campus film screenings that support and supplement the urban and suburban studies curriculum.
Travel abroad to study the issues faced by cities around the world.

Peace Corps Director Aaron Williams to address North Central College Commencement

Aaron Williams, director of the Peace Corps, will deliver the address June 9 at the 147th Commencement ceremony of North Central College.

Registration open for Verandah walking tour during spring term

North Central College offers Verandah course, Chicago on the Ground: Walking Tour of America’s Architectural Capital, with Tribune critic and art faculty.

Award-winning author Isabel Wilkerson gives talk Feb. 29

North Central College welcomes Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist and bestselling author Isabel Wilkerson to discuss her epic book “The Warmth of Other Suns.”

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Internships

City of Naperville Plan Commission
Streetwise Newspaper, Chicago
The RedEye (Chicago's free daily newspaper)
The Field Museum, Chicago

Careers

Recent graduates in urban and suburban studies include:

Urban planning
Architecture
Social work
Youth work
Public administration

Feature

Ben Altensey

Urban and suburban studies minor

“Students can read about urban problems anywhere, but North Central puts you into the city to witness those issues first-hand,” says Ben. The sociology major participated in the Chicago Term, which involves commuting into the city for 10 weeks of study, research and touring. North Central’s faculty teach the Chicago Term courses and lead urban outings. “The experience furthered my interest in city planning and led me to obtain an internship with the City of Naperville Plan Commission,” Ben says. “I plan to go on to graduate school for urban planning. Whatever you study, North Central offers a variety of unique opportunities that many other schools do not.”

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