This urban studies course, a pilot version, is designed to help high school students understand concerns and problems in contemporary American cities. Viewing the city as a total environment, students delve into the dynamics of a city, relating people to the form of a city, develop a useful concept of the urban complex, and identify urban problems. Activities and discussions involve students in critical thinking skills and, moreover, focus on the affective realm. Rather than being concerned with factual data, materials are comprised of thematic poems, ideas, excerpts from magazines and journals, questions, and author input. The positive aspects and rewards of living in the city are discussed along with the problems. Seven social studies units are entitled: What is a City; Prejudice; Poverty; The Inner and Outer City; Government; and Education; and are accompanied by a reference booklet, giving footnote information for the combined units, and a personal/social action booklet. (SJM)