Advanced European Planning Studies (i)

Overview

This module acts as an administrative function for returning the marks for MPlan students that have taken part in the Erasmus programme during the first Semester of Stage 4. The content will be determined by the module choice in the host institution, although this will be strictly controlled by the programme director and confirmed via a student learning agreement. Only those modules dealing with the core issues of the programme (i.e. European planning, development, territorial cohesion etc) will be permitted.

Learning Objectives

The learning outcomes developed during this module will vary according to the actual modules sanctioned to be taken at each host university, but broadly they are expected to include:

1.Demonstrate understanding of European-wide planning debates;
2.Using a range of European examples, describe alternative forms of planning intervention and evaluate their effectiveness;
3.Understand more fully how spatial planning and development are related to their political, social, economic and cultural contexts;
4.Demonstrate effective research and appraisal skills, define problems and design appropriate research strategies;
5.Collect, evaluate, analyse and interpret qualitative and quantitative data to answer specific research questions
6.Conduct research requiring individual initiative;
7.Understand the importance of time and project management and prioritisation of work tasks;
8.Competently use ICT for presenting information and searching and retrieving complex information;
9.Communicate complex arguments using a high standard of written and graphic communication;
10.Self-manage competing work priorities and reflect on their own progress.

Skills

The skills developed during the Erasmus programme will depend to a certain degree on the specific modules taken at the host university, although this is expected to include comparative analysis and studies of planning policy and practice in the host country.  

Assessment

Students are required to take pre-specified modules in a European partner institution in the second semester of Stage 4. The modules taken must be the equivalent of 50 CATS.