GSC 300: Urban Adventure
Leadership. Communication. Critical Thinking. Collaboration. Empathy.
This experiential, scenario-based class puts undergraduate students right in the middle of the action to solve a metropolitan crime. Utilizing core skills and knowledge from across the Urban Affairs disciplines, students enhance their interpersonal communication and critical thinking abilities, their leadership and collaboration skills, their capacity to interact with the media, their ability to empathize with people and understand how communities provide social support, and their knowledge of the justice system. They also learn how to adapt to different challenges and environments, as well as develop solutions to urban problems.
For more Information on how to enroll, email the Urban Affairs advising center.
College Integration
More than 20 faculty and staff members from across the Greenspun College of Urban Affairs created content for the Urban Adventure. Students are exposed to major focus areas in Communication Studies, Criminal Justice, Journalism and Media Studies, Public Policy and Leadership, and Social Work.
Throughout the course I was able to adapt to new experiences while learning about all the majors that make up the College of Urban Affairs.
Triana G., Journalism and Media Studies
Exploration of Social Issues
Using carefully crafted scenarios, students are exposed to a wide range of social issues present in urban environments. Among the issues explored are homelessness, veterans issues, trauma, domestic violence, and substance abuse.
From day one we were collaborating in group discussions, thinking critically and further developing our interpersonal communication skills by discussing current social issues. This allowed us to develop our ideas and solutions while considering the perspective of others.
Alisha B., Communication Studies
Team-Based Approach
Students work in collaborative teams to take on the challenges of the Urban Adventure. To succeed, students use adaptable skills as they adopt real-world roles, such as Public Information Officer, Victim Advocate, District Attorney, or Team Leader.
The major strengths of this class were being able to bring together a group of people across five different majors and give them an experience that is fun, collaborative and challenging.
Celestina T., Social Work
Community Involvement
The Urban Adventure is brought to life by actors and subject matter experts. Actors create dynamic scenarios that highlight social issues and challenge students in innovative ways. Subject matter experts, drawn from Las Vegas social service providers, law enforcement agencies and media professionals, mentor students and provide professional guidance in solving the Urban Adventure.
Having actors made it feel so real and definitely helped me show empathy and deal with conflict effectively.
Trevor R., Communication Studies
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Urban Adventure class draws in multiple disciplines to create a uniquely detailed scenario for students.
Urban Adventure class draws on police, social workers, actors and more to make a complex scenario come to life for Urban Affairs students.