CEP 498 D: Exploring Public Transit & Car-Free

Mobility
Spring 2024 | Fridays 1:30 - 3:20pm | Gould 100 | 1 credit | CR/NC

Instructor: Zaref Anderson

Email: zaref7@uw.edu
Phone: (206) 681-5693

Office Hours: By Appointment

Instructor on Record: Gregory Keith Harris (for administrative purposes)

Email: gkh2@uw.edu
For all course purposes, Zaref Anderson will be the instructor for CEP 498 D. Keith Harris will not be
attending classes, and is noted as the instructor on record for administrative purposes only, and will not
play an active role in the class itself. If you have any significant issues with the course or instructor, you
can reach out to Keith Harris or another College of Built Environments advisor or administrator.

Course Description
This class is a one-credit seminar covering the subjects of public transportation and car-free mobility,
including planning concepts, experiential learning, and guest perspectives. The course is available to any
University of Washington student. The purpose of the course is to provide students with a broader
perspective on key transportation issues and to learn about how to create positive change in their own
cities and communities. Assessment for this course will be based on a combination of attendance,
participation, and weekly assignments.

Structure & Process

This course will be mainly focused on in-class time and activities. As a one-credit course, students are
expected to spend about three hours per week on this class, including up to two hours of class time and
up to one hour of homework. Class will meet once per week, where students will attend lectures,
participate in discussions, attend field trips and participate in live planning activities. Homework
assignments are generally due before the start of the following class.

Learning Outcomes
● Develop an understanding of the rider experience on public transit from multiple perspectives
● Understand what planning practices can be used to improve public transit connections and access
to transit
● Develop planning skills to implement stronger public transit and connective networks
● Understand the different modes used to access public transit, the issues with each, and how they
can be improved for all riders
● Develop intentionality in transportation choices, both as a rider and as a planner
Participation
Students are expected to attend and participate actively in each weekly class session, and complete all
homework assignments by the end of the quarter. A student who is anticipating being absent from class
due to a Religious Accommodation activity needs to complete the Religious Accommodations request
process by the second Friday of the quarter.

Assignments
Several assignments will be assigned throughout the quarter. These include weekly journal assignments,
occasional surveys, and major assignments every 2-3 weeks. At the end of the quarter, students will
complete a self-guided final project and presentation. Assignments will have deadlines posted on
Canvas, but with the exception of journal prompts and extra credit assignments, students will be
permitted to turn in assignments anytime before the end of the quarter.

Grading
This is a credit/no-credit course. Students will receive credit if they receive a total final score of 80% or
above. Final grades are based on the following score breakdown:

Attendance & Participation (45%)

● There are 10 possible attendance points. Showing up in class will gain 0.5 points, while
participating / engaging with the material when possible will gain another 0.5 points.
● Absences can be excused with an email anytime before the class is scheduled to start, or
afterwards in case of emergency

Journaling (10%)
● Every week, there will be journal prompts, which encourage students to share experiences with
using public transit through the week. At the end of the quarter, there will be a final reflection on
the quarter’s journaling
● Completing the journaling assignment each week will earn one point towards the journaling total

Surveys (5%)
● At the start and end of the quarter, as well as periodically throughout the quarter, surveys will be
distributed about the overall experience with the course, content and instructor
● Completing the surveys will earn points towards the survey grade

Assignments (20%)
● Assignment 1: Ride a bus route from end to end and record observations of any kind before,
during, and after the ride
● Assignment 2: Complete a week without cars challenge and record observations, thoughts and
reflections during this time

Final Project (20%)

 ● A student-led exploration project about transit, in an area of choice
● Students will will start by researching existing transit in their chosen region, and finding its
strengths and weaknesses based on service planning best practices from the quarter
● Students will then create suggestions for improvements to the network, or redesign the network
entirely, with the intention of creating a more logical, rider-focused system
● To be presented to the class during week 10

If a student falls below 80% they will receive an “incomplete” for the quarter. They are then required to
meet with the instructor(s) to discuss ways to make up for the deficiency the following quarter. If they
meet these goals then their “incomplete” will be changed to “credit.” Completing extra credit
assignments during the quarter will also reduce the likelihood of an “incomplete” grade.

Calendar (Subject to change)

We Date Pre-Reading Description Homework Notes

ek

1 Mar. 29 Optional: Human Introduction, Ride the Bus, 45-Minute

Transit Introduction icebreaker, syllabus Journal 1, Class
Survey 1 Extra Credit:
Swift Orange
Line

2 Apr. 5 CityNerd Car Cars (and why we Journal 2

Dependency Video don’t like them very
and Better Buses, much)
Better Cities Chapter
8

3 Apr. 12 Human Transit Transit planning Journal 3,

Chapters 2 & 3 basics Survey 2, Week
without driving
assignment

4 Apr. 19 None Seattle transit race Journal 4 Field trip, start

in Gould 100

5 Apr. 26 Optional: Carlos Bus driver, transit Journal 5, Extra Credit:

Mayorga Weed fans & advocates Survey 3 East Link
Reflection guest speaker Starter Line
discussion

6 May 3 South Seattle Aurora Field Trip - Journal 6 Meet at Gould

Emerald Article focusing on equity, 100, depart at
accessibility, first/last 1:30
mile connections
 7 May 10 Human Transit More transit planning Journal 7,
Chapters 7 & 12 & how we can be Survey 4
Optional: Human active and involved
Transit Chapter 4

8 May 17 Human Transit Interactive transit Journal 8, Extra Credit:

Chapters 6 & 13 planning activity Survey 5, Start Transit
Optional: Human Final Project Comfort Zone
Transit Chapter 10 & Transit
Marketing

9 May 24 None Optional final project Journal 9, Work

work session on Final Project

10 May 31 None Final presentations Journal

Reflection, Final
Survey

Resources & Policies

Disability Resources
Your experience in this class is important to us. It is the policy and practice of the University of
Washington to create inclusive and accessible learning environments consistent with federal and state
law. If you have already established accommodations with Disability Resources for Students (DRS),
please activate your accommodations via myDRS so we can discuss how they will be implemented in
this course.

If you have not yet established services through DRS, but have a temporary health condition or
permanent disability that requires accommodations (conditions include but not limited to; mental health,
attention-related, learning, vision, hearing, physical or health impacts), contact DRS directly to set up an
Access Plan. DRS facilitates the interactive process that establishes reasonable accommodations.
Contact DRS at disability.uw.edu.

Academic Integrity
The University takes academic integrity very seriously. Behaving with integrity is part of our responsibility
to our shared learning community. If you’re uncertain about if something is academic misconduct, ask
me. I am willing to discuss questions you might have.

Acts of academic misconduct may include but are not limited to:
● Cheating (working collaboratively on quizzes/exams and discussion submissions, sharing
answers, and previewing quizzes/exams)
● Plagiarism (representing the work of others as your own without giving appropriate credit to the
original author(s))
● Unauthorized collaboration (working with each other on assignments)
 ● Concerns about these or other behaviors prohibited by the Student Conduct Code will be
referred for investigation and adjudication by (include information for specific campus office).

Students found to have engaged in academic misconduct may receive a zero on the assignment (or
other possible outcome).

Student Conduct
The University of Washington Student Conduct Code (WAC 478-121) defines prohibited academic and
behavioral conduct and describes how the University holds students accountable as they pursue their
academic goals. Allegations of misconduct by students may be referred to the appropriate campus
office for investigation and resolution. More information can be found online at
https://www.washington.edu/studentconduct/

Religious Accommodations
Washington state law requires that UW develop a policy for accommodation of student absences or
significant hardship due to reasons of faith or conscience, or for organized religious activities. The UW’s
policy, including more information about how to request an accommodation, is available at Religious
Accommodations Policy
(https://registrar.washington.edu/staffandfaculty/religious-accommodations-policy/). Accommodations
must be requested within the first two weeks of this course using the Religious Accommodations
Request form (https://registrar.washington.edu/students/religious-accommodations-request/).

Safety
Call SafeCampus at 206-685-7233 anytime – no matter where you work or study – to anonymously
discuss safety and well-being concerns for yourself or others. SafeCampus’s team of caring
professionals will provide individualized support, while discussing short- and long-term solutions and
connecting you with additional resources when requested.

Title IX
The UW, through numerous policies, prohibits sex- and gender-based violence, harassment, and
discrimination and expects students, faculty, and staff to act professionally and respectfully in all work,
learning, and research environments.

For support, resources, and reporting options related to sex- and gender-based violence, harassment, or
discrimination, refer to the UW Title IX’s website, specifically the Know Your Rights & Resources guide.
Should you wish to make the Office of the Office of the Title IX Coordinator aware of a Title IX concern,
visit the Make a Title IX Report webpage.

Please know that if you choose to disclose information to me about sex- or gender-based violence,
harassment, or discrimination, I will connect you (or the person who experienced the conduct) with
resources and individuals who can best provide support and options. You can also access additional
resources directly:

● You can request anonymous support, from SafeCampus

● You can request confidential support from a confidential advocate
 ● If you know you want to submit a formal complaint, contact the Civil Rights Investigation
Office

Please note that some senior leaders and other specified employees have been identified as Officials
Required to Report. If an Official Required to Report learns of possible sex- or gender-based violence,
harassment, or discrimination they are required to contact the Office of the Title IX Coordinator and
report all the details they have in order to ensure that the person who experienced harm is offered
support and reporting options.