Module Catalogue 2025/26

Pre Requisite Comment

Students must have taken one of the two pre-requisite modules at stage 2.

Co Requisite Comment

N/A

Aims

•       To examine critically existing understandings and models of local and regional development
•       To provide an advanced knowledge and understanding of local and regional development theory and policy.
•       To develop an advanced understanding of the instruments and policies of local and regional development.
•       To examine local and regional development in practice in an international context.

Outline Of Syllabus

Following an Introduction to local and regional development which outlines the changing context of local and regional development and social and spatial inequalities and poses fundamental questions about the purpose and nature of ‘development’ locally and regionally:

Part I – Frameworks of understanding -concepts and theories of local and regional development: provides a range of conceptual and theoretical frameworks for understanding and interpreting local and regional development, with a focus on post-crisis development.

Part II –Local and Regional Development in Context looks at ‘on the ground’ experiences in different contexts internationally, as well as future career development skills.

Part III – Policy and Practice: discusses the strategies and policies of attempts to generate and shape local and regional development processes.

Intended Knowledge Outcomes

•       An advanced knowledge and understanding of models of local and regional development.
•       An advanced knowledge and understanding of local and regional development theory and policy.
•       An advanced understanding of the instruments and policies of local and regional development.
•       Detailed understanding of local and regional development practice in an international context.

Intended Skill Outcomes

•       An ability to critically engage with current issues and debates about concepts and theories of local and regional development.
•       The ability to engage critically with local and regional development policy.
•       The ability to critically assess the value, applicability and transferability of local and regional development practice in an international context.
•       The ability to synthesise and present local and regional development data and to interpret and analyse its significance.
•       The ability to critically select and access relevant and appropriate information and data from a range of sources.
•       Practical experience of local and regional development theory, policy and practice through the analysis of case studies.
•       The ability to communicate by means of well prepared, clear, concise and well written documents.
•       The ability to plan, organise and prioritise work activities and manage time effectively.
•       The ability to work independently with initiative and solve problems.

Teaching Rationale And Relationship

Lectures introduce, develop and illustrate the core conceptual, theoretical, empirical and policy content of the module.

Seminars provide an opportunity to ground and deliver lecture content in smaller groups, with analysis and student-led debates.

The workshops focus upon debate and analysis of contemporary material in smaller groups, with links to the assessment.

Guided learning through set readings and tasks deepens student knowledge and discussion, enabled through online discussion boards.

Module Talks introduce students to employment skills related to core material covered.

The drop in/surgery provides an opportunity for discussion and problem solving in addressing course material and assessment.

Assessment Rationale And Relationship

The assessed essay tests the students’ ability to explore subjects in-depth, demanding critical reading and writing skills and an ability to gather and synthesise material and to formulate a rigorous argument. Students will be able to demonstrate knowledge and critical examination of existing models of local and regional development alongside an application of relevant theory.
The policy report tests student’s ability to engage with the workshops materials, demonstrating an advanced understanding of the instruments and policies of local and regional development in practice, and developing report writing and research skills, policy writing and critical analysis skills, useful in the transition to a future career.

General Notes

N/A