Taking a minor in architecture is a unique opportunity for students to stimulate their imaginations and learn creative approaches to problem solving. Any educated person needs to have an understanding of the history of our built environment, the people and cultures that defined and inhabited it, and the processes by which it is being shaped today. After completion of three initial courses, each student will be able to select upper division units in various fields of emphasis within the School of Architecture.

Minor in Architecture
A minor in architecture provides the flexibility of complementing a student's major with an area of specialization.  Since the School of Architecture at USC is one of the top rated schools in the country, students would not only benefti by gaining rich theoretical knowledge and exciting skills, but they would also be learning from some of the region's top architects, designers, and writers, many of whom balance teaching with an active practice.

The minor is not available to architecture majors.

Required for Architecture Minor (8 units)

 
Arch 114 is a lecture and discussion class and Arch 106 is a design laboratory.  Together these courses show the depth of the filed of architecture understanding of the creative process through design and exploration exercises.  Arch 304 is an overview of the history of architecture and the technological changes that occured during its development.

Following successful completion of these intial classes, students in the minor will take a minimum of 12 additional upper division units in a field of emphasis.  This will give the student a total of at least 16 upper division units.  Each students must meet with an academic advisor in the School of Architecture to determine his or her minor program. 

Minor in Landscape Architecture
The landscape architecture minor provides students with the ability to integrate an understanding of the natural and cultural landscape into their course of study.   Students will learn about natural resources and their importance in the built environment.  The art of the garden in literature, music, painting and sculpture will be presented as it relates to the history of human culture.  This is an excellent emphasis for students in Environmental Studies, Civil Engineering, Planning, Bio-Anthropology, as well as anyone who is interested in the relationship between nature and the built environment.

The minor is not available to architecture majors.

Required for the Landscape Architecture Minor (9 units)

Upper Division Course Options (14 Units)                               

The minor is supported by the four "urban schools" of USC: Architecture, Education, Social Work, and Policy, Planning, and Development. The core studies are "hands-on" as a practicum in learning about neighborhoods and learning how the disciplines of the four schools provide the means for understanding and treating urban issues. The core courses are team taught by faculty from the collaborating schools.

This minor should be of interest to students generally, but especially to those interested in the nature of urban life and the policies and actions directed toward the improvement of cities.

The requirements for the minor include two required courses and 12 units of elective courses, including at least one from each of three of the Schools of Architecture, Education, Social Work, and Policy, Planning, and Development.

One of the listed geography courses may be substituted for a course from one of the sponsoring schools. At least 8 of the 12 elective units must be upper division. Students in the School of Architecture and in the School of Policy, Planning, and Development may not apply more than one core course toward their major and must take all of their elective courses outside their major.

Required Courses for Urban and Neighborhood Studies Minor (8 units)

Upper Division Courses (14 units)