PLAN 3040

Easy class. This is pretty much just an architectural/art history course, so don't expect to learn much about urban planning. Professor Sewell is passionate about the material and really kind. Skim the readings for the first couple of weeks and don't bother with them after that. As long as you attend every lecture and take decent notes, you're golden.

DO: Go to class
DON'T: Do the readings (other than on the theorists at the beginning of the semester)
This is much more of an architectural history/art history course than it is an urban planning course. Professor Sewell is clearly passionate and well-versed in the subject matter but to someone looking for a course rich in urban design and planning, this wasn't the most exciting or fun. Lectures were based around the professor describing buildings, history or art in one of five different cities while referring to pictures (no words at all) on PowerPoint slides. Many foreign names that are hard to memorize, especially when the slides she posts on Collab don't have words on them, but she does provide a list of buildings and other important names we studied. IF YOU MISS CLASS IT IS VERY HARD TO FIGURE OUT WHAT YOU ARE LOOKING AT, LET ALONE FIGURE OUT WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW. GO TO CLASS! Grade is based on one in-class written midterm (2 slide comparisons and 2 short essays), 1 short paper (< 5 pages) analyzing a city of your choice, 1 long (10-12 page) research analysis paper, and 1 final (4 slide comparisons, 2 short essays). She is a generous grader. Easy to get an A- or even an A in this class with minimal effort outside of class.