If you are thinking about pursuing an MA in Theories of Urban Practice, please read below for answers to frequently asked questions about the program.
Who applies to this program?
Since this program is transdisciplinary, students who participate in it have different backgrounds, including architecture, industrial design, history, philosophy, geography, anthropology, law, community development and organizing, social art, economics, communication design, and film. Students entering this program may have work experience in their fields.
What sets this program apart from other urban planning, urban studies, and urban design programs?
While this program does draw upon fields and disciplines that are assumed to be under the broad umbrella of "urbanism," this is not explicitly an urban planning or urban design program. It is designed for students who want to understand, question, and challenge the constant shaping and reshaping of cities through urban planning, public policy, real estate development, architecture, and other forms of design. Students have the freedom to pursue their own interests and endeavors, allowing their past experiences to shape their work, leading to multiple ways of practicing. The MA in Theories of Urban Practice is interdisciplinary, meaning that applicants from all bachelor degrees are considered. The program promotes urban theory and practice as a field existing in multiple sectors with a great degree of overlap of disciplines.
The notion of design that the program employs moves beyond the limited scopes of professional design or planning. Design is a medium that brings together teaching, research, knowledge, and action in order to lead critical urban transformations. With its flexible approach to research topics and a curriculum that allows students to go beyond traditional disciplinary boundaries, the MA in Theories of Urban Practice allows students to explore a wide range of topics through electives. This flexibility provides students with a grounding in the field of urbanism while enabling them to benefit from areas and disciplines throughout Parsons and The New School at large.
The MS Design and Urban Ecologies program and the MA Theories of Urban Practice program share themes and curriculum elements. What are the differences?
The two programs are run by the same faculty, use the same space for courses, and share an educational philosophy that fosters social justice and community engagement. In addition, the faculty encourage cooperation between the programs in the form of events and activities, both formal and informal. The MA Theories of Urban Practice program is not studio based but instead relies on research-based projects and papers. Students in the MA program analyze and challenge current urban practices including policymaking, economic and social development, and professional urban design practice, both past and present. Students may propose practice-based thesis projects depending on their previous education and/or work experience. Students complete 36 credits during a two-year period, which gives them the opportunity to intern, work, or continue their artistic practice outside of the program should they choose to do so.
Will my research be focused in New York City?
The work within compulsory courses of the first year focuses on locations in New York City and the surrounding areas, allowing students to take advantage of available resources such as nonprofits, community organizations, and city agencies. However, students are encouraged to investigate a wide range of global topics to learn from and understand different sociospatial politics and culturally motivated approaches and can also explore the possibility of focusing on an international location in their thesis fieldwork. The program also offers opportunities for working abroad (see Travel Opportunities, below).
What kinds of projects will I work on?
Projects vary greatly between classes and elective courses. Student will be expected to carry out advanced research using different methods and tools such as ethnography, mapping, site analysis, historical, quantitative, and qualitative research. The findings can lead to recommendations, interventions or demonstrate a different understanding of a certain topic, site, historical moment, phenomenon, etc. All projects should have the objective to create new forms of knowledge or different tools that can inform ways of practicing as an urbanist.
Are there any travel opportunities available through this program?
Travel opportunities in the form of individual exchange agreements, graduate student travel funds, and other possibilities are offered by centers at The New School. Students interested in traveling for their research may also work with the Tishman Environment and Design Center and the India China Institute at The New School. Both of these groups offer fellowships, travel grants, and scholarships to contribute to students' scholarly work. The urban programs at The New School also offer a three-credit global intensive elective each semester (locations vary) that provides students with a two-week travel component to their coursework.
Will my work be individual or group oriented?
Throughout the two years, students carry out both group and individual projects. There is a strong emphasis on the benefits of collaboration and peer learning between students, as each brings different kinds of expertise to one project. The thesis can be completed as either an individual or a group project.
What will my final year in the program look like?
The final year focuses on providing support for the student's final thesis through a series of compulsory classes on thesis preparation and advanced research methods. Students are still able to take one elective each term. The thesis research starts at the beginning of the year, and students are expected to achieve a substantial amount of work, including theoretical analysis and development of a theoretical framework, local and/or global case studies, recommendations, and (optionally) an intervention. Different formats and mediums, such as audio or video documentaries and curatorial practices, can also be used in the thesis.