The guide outlines an interdisciplinary seventh grade course on urban studies focusing on the city of Bethlehem and the Lehigh Valley in Pennsylvania. By comparing the city of Bethlehem with other urban centers in the nation the student gains an understanding of the following: 1) the development of urban centers; 2) the increasing role played by cities in national life; 3) problems faced in urban areas and how they might be solved; 4) the life of the people who reside in cities; 5) the rights and values of others. Suggested teaching strategies include questioning techniques, classroom discussion, surveys, research, field trips, role playing, games and creative writing. Language arts teachers work closely with social studies teachers in a team teaching effort: oral and written communication skills are taught within the context of realistic situations provided by the social studies. The guide consists of the following five units: 1) Social/Mass Media; 2) Economic/Short Story and Novel; 3) Government/Drama; 4) Physical Structures/Poetry; and 5) A Vision of the Future. An overview, concepts to be taught, objectives, social studies and language arts resource materials, names of local resource people, teaching strategies, and individual and small group activities are provided for each unit. (Author/RM)