TCP1026 : Understanding Place: Methods and Perspectives
- Offered for Year: 2026/27
- Module Leader(s): Dr Brendan Doody
- Owning School: Architecture, Planning & Landscape
- Teaching Location: Newcastle City Campus
Semesters
Your programme is made up of credits, the total differs on programme to programme.
| Semester 2 Credit Value: | 20 |
| ECTS Credits: | 10.0 |
| European Credit Transfer System | |
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.
Teaching Methods
Teaching Activities
| Category | Activity | Number | Length | Student Hours | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Lecture | 6 | 2:00 | 12:00 | Lectures introducing creative and conceptual frameworks for understanding place. |
| Guided Independent Study | Assessment preparation and completion | 1 | 120:00 | 120:00 | Collecting material and writing time focussed on group work and reflective commentaries. |
| Guided Independent Study | Directed research and reading | 10 | 2:00 | 20:00 | Engaging with set texts. |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Practical | 2 | 2:00 | 4:00 | Group presentations. |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Workshops | 6 | 2:00 | 12:00 | Workshops for students to learn different practical methods and approaches for understanding place, and to develop their group work. |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Fieldwork | 2 | 4:00 | 8:00 | Fieldwork walks to visit sites |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Drop-in/surgery | 2 | 1:30 | 3:00 | Drop-in for advice prior to presentations and feedback afterwards. |
| Guided Independent Study | Student-led group activity | 7 | 3:00 | 21:00 | Group presentation organisation, research, and preparation. |
| Total | 200:00 |
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 Methods
The format of resits will be determined by the Board of Examiners
Other Assessment
| Description | Semester | When Set | Percentage | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oral Presentation | 2 | M | 35 | Short group presentation (10 minutes) providing an in-depth exploration of an allocated place in Tyne and Wear, drawing on chosen perspectives, and methods from the course. |
| Reflective log | 2 | M | 65 | This assessment reflects on the students individual contribution to the group project, drawing on their process, methods, perspectives as well as their learning from the group work. 2500 words. |
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.
Reading Lists
Timetable
- Timetable Website: www.ncl.ac.uk/timetable/
- TCP1026's Timetable