Module Catalogue 2026/27

Pre Requisite Comment

N/A

Co Requisite Comment

N/A

Aims

This module aims to introduce first-year planning students to core concepts of 'place' and 'place-making', enhance their reflexivity, critical thinking and research skills, and develop their professional practice through collaborative group work. By engaging with multidisciplinary perspectives in lectures, methods workshops, and their own fieldwork, students will consider how places are shaped and inhabited. Moreover, they will gain a nuanced understanding of different places in Tyne and Wear, identifying key issues and opportunities within the local region.

Outline Of Syllabus

The module is designed to enhance students’ critical understanding of particular places within Tyne and Wear and beyond. It introduces social science research methodologies and skills that are further developed in Stage 2 (TCP2027), preparing students for their self-selected, independent, and supervised research project in Stage 3 (TCP3099).

The module’s teaching and learning are delivered through:

a) Lectures exploring multi-layered concepts of place, including a range of issues such as atmosphere, emotion and lived experiences of place, as well as, feminist, post-colonial and power-based debates;

b) Methods workshops that introduce diverse 'ways of knowing' and and understanding places; and

c) Group projects allowing students to conduct original research into a specific place in Tyne and Wear and present their findings.

Intended Knowledge Outcomes

1. A critical awareness of national and international debates on ‘place’, alongside context-sensitive methods for investigating these within diverse localities.

2. A comprehensive knowledge of contemporary challenges and opportunities facing localities, drawing upon multidisciplinary literature and a diverse range of case studies.

3. A critical evaluation of research methodologies that transcend positivist planning and economic frameworks, assessing their relative merits and the value of triangulation in achieving multi-layered understandings of places.

Intended Skill Outcomes

1. Critically synthesize theoretical concepts with contemporary practical issues, demonstrating the ability to evaluate the reliability of diverse information sources.

2. Formulate and communicate analytical arguments that integrate perspectives from planning, geography, and other cognate disciplines.

3. Engage in critical thinking through collaborative inquiry, debating and discussing diverse perspectives on 'place'.

Teaching Rationale And Relationship

Structured guided learning provides a foundational exploration of key concepts, examining the critical literature and methodological frameworks surrounding the core theme of ‘place’. Scheduled learning and teaching activities facilitate critical discussion, enabling students to apply theoretical and methodological concepts to contemporary urban challenges. Furthermore, guided independent study enables students to synthesise their learning and refine the analytical skills required for their assessment. Throughout the module, collaborative and practical learning opportunities are provided within a supportive environment to foster essential skills and professional practice.

Assessment Rationale And Relationship

The assessment strategy is designed to develop collaborative professional skills while encouraging methodological experimentation in the study of 'place'. This module uses a two-part assessment consisting of a group project and an individual reflective log. While the group work fosters teamwork and creative research, the assessment is weighted toward the individual log. This structure ensures that each student is able to critically evaluate their personal contribution and intellectual journey.

General Notes

N/A