Courses

I teach graduate classes in Geographic Information Systems (GIS), participatory mapping, ecosystem services, and environmental planning methods; I also teach an undergraduate course that examines environmental issues in urban planning. While the courses I teach maintain a strong emphasis on planning methods, I strive to link methodological applications to the theoretical and epistemological foundations.

The general structure of my courses uses a dual framework of “planning and policy” and “planning research”. The former involves structuring problems, anticipating outcomes and evaluation. The latter involves exploration, discovery, and knowledge building. Through this structure, my aim is to provide the necessary conditions for course participants to achieve five learning objectives:

  1. Problem solving: Develop analytical and critical-thinking capacities
  2. Research design: Craft a study using appropriate research tools to address one problem from the field of urban and regional planning
  3. Communication: Present a coherent and thoughtful analysis of a research study
  4. Group work: Develop interpersonal communication while working in teams
  5. Community engagement: Collaborate with community organizations to address a pressing societal problem

Below are sample syllabi from the courses I teach. Currently, I teach 7 courses per calendar year -- five during the academic year and two during the summer. While the content material may vary from year-to-year, general learning objectives and the problem-based approach will remain consistent. If you have any suggestions about the material used in these courses or if you are interested in taking a course, I welcome your feedback.

Sample Syllabi: