Here are the requirements for his PhD. I was surprised to see that Ebonics 101 was not part of the curriculum.
USP 513/613 Urban Economic and Spatial Structure (3): The purpose of this course is to provide an introduction to the economic and spatial aspects relevant to the field of urban studies. The course provides and overview of existing theories and empirical evidence relating to urban spatial and economic relationships. Examines the impact of federal, state, and local government policies, and changing economic conditions on these relationships
USP 514/614 History and Theory of Urban Studies (3): Leading thinkers and milestones in the analysis of urban development and urban life. Complementary theories and models of social sciences. Postmodern approaches. Visionary and critical responses to the possibilities of metropolitan life
USP 517/617 Sociology and Politics of Urban Life (3): A survey of important theories and empirical research about the social structure and political dynamics of urban areas. The impacts of globalization on urban social and political life, the changing nature of community and social relations within cities and suburbs, and evolving patterns of intergovernmental cooperation and conflict within metropolitan regions will be analyzed.
USP 530 Research Design (4): Principles of research design, including philosophical bases of scientific research, approaches to research, problem identification, problem statement, development of research questions, development of research hypotheses, and the relationship of research hypotheses to modes of data gathering and analysis. The laboratory (530L) must be taken concurrently. Prerequisite: USP 430.
USP 597/697 Urban Studies Seminar (4): Research seminar required for second-year students in the urban studies Ph.D. and M.U.S. programs. Students apply their substantive background and methodological training to develop all the components of a social science research paper: statement of focused research question, literature review, development of hypotheses, definition of appropriate methodology, design of data acquisition, and pilot testing of data acquisition strategy. Prerequisites: USP 530, USP 513/613, USP 514/614, USP 517/617.
The first three courses listed introduce the student to the basic ideas, concepts, and theories about urban development and urban life. This helps students position their own interests within the larger field of urban studies. The Research Design course introduces the student to the range of methods appropriate to the field and serves as a starting point from which the M.U.S. and Ph.D. student is expected to take advanced courses in quantitative and qualitative methods. The Urban Studies Seminar, typically taken in the beginning of the second year, engages the student in hands-on social science research, producing a research design proposal appropriate for the student's interests and degree.
Each student offers two fields of specialization, at least one of which should be chosen from among those listed above. A student-nominated field, developed in conjunction with School faculty, may be offered as a second specialization. Faculty groups specify field-specific course requirements, including methodology courses and courses essential to a multidisciplinary approach. These groups work closely with students to develop coherent specializations that prepare each individual to do Ph.D.-level research in that field. Click on the following links to see a more detailed description of each field:
· Planning
· Community Development
· Policy Analysis
· Gerontology
· Social Demography
You can judge for yourself just how rigorous this program is.