Independent Research Project in European Planning

Overview

The module seeks to provide students with the opportunity to undertake a final research project, focussed on the country of their Erasmus placement, but with pan-European relevance . This will be done in the form of an independent research project, providing an opportunity for students to further develop an area for in-depth research on a topic of their choice. It is anticipated that this will further develop the issues addressed in EVP3X01 and focus on issues of European Planning, drawing on extensive examples from the country of the Erasmus placement. The independent research project consists of a piece of research on a chosen topic to be presented in a written form of 12,000 words (maximum).

In order to support students in this module, each will be allocated a supervisor in QUB with whom regular video-based supervisory meetings will take place. Students are also expected to attend two three day recall sessions at QUB, coinciding with the end of each semester. These will include a number of debriefing and reflective sessions, where students at different host institutions can exchange experiences in a structured format. This will include a number of formal seminars, at which each student will be required to present a paper and act as a lead respondent on another student presentation. These sessions will also be a formal opportunity for students to meet their personal tutors and address any outstanding pastoral issues.

The last recall session will focus particularly on reflecting on their Erasmus experience, including the submission of a reflective journal based on their time in Europe.

Learning Objectives

By the end of the module the students should be able to:

1.Engage in theoretical and ethical debate on their chosen specialism in the field of European Planning
2.Evaluate the social, economic, environmental, cultural and political context for planning in a European context spatial regeneration.
3.Evaluate the distinctive contribution of spatial planning to the making of place and the mediation of space in a variety of European contexts;
4.Demonstrate the relationship of spatial planning context to other specialist areas of expertise in a European context;
5.Demonstrate the type and quality of skills that would be expected of a graduate from the MPlan European Planning undertaking the practice experience period of the APC.
6.Evaluate the contributions of the wide range of stakeholders involved in place-making in the area of spatial planning in a European context.
7.Undertake a complex research project to a high standard.

Skills

The skills developed in this module will partly depend on the nature of the project undertaken, but is aimed to develop a range of skills including:

Cognitive skills:
- The translation of theory and knowledge into practical planning strategies including the writing of clear aims and objectives, the formulation articulation and evaluation/appraisal of different policy responses; ;
- The understanding of the inter-relationship between development patterns, infrastructure and human activities at a pan-European scale;
- Creative problem-solving skills and propositions for action;
- The need and techniques for monitoring and evaluation of planning interventions and outcomes.
- Self-manage a long term project and reflect on their own progress

Employability Skills (Practical skills transferable into employment):
- Collect, evaluate, analyse and interpret qualitative and quantitative data to answer specific research questions
- Conduct research requiring individual initiative;
- Effectively use information and communication technology to gather, analyse, synthesise and present relevant data.;
- Understand the importance of time and project management and prioritisation of work tasks;
- Effectively communicate planning information, ideas and arguments through written, graphic and oral means and demonstrate effectively written, oral and information literacy skills.
 

Assessment

Students must pass all assessment components. Students are also required to attend the compulsory 3 day recall sessions for this module which will take place in Queen’s University, Belfast at the end of each semester in Stage 4. During these sessions students will be required to make formal presentations on their progress with the module while at their Erasmus partner