In-depth Study of the Sociology and Policy of Space and Environment, Town and Housing

Academic year: 2009-2010 Course code module 1MSOC_240 Semester: 1st semester Credits: 15 Study load (hours) 420 Theory (hours): 30,00 Practice/Exercises(hours): 15,00 Other (hours): Part-time program: 2 Instructor(s) Nicolas Puymbroeck Luc Goossens Ilse Loots N. Language of instruction: Dutch Semester exam information: exam in the 1st semester Contract restriction information: 1. Prerequisites *Algemene competenties No specific prerequisites required. *Sequentiality None 2. Objectives (expected learning outcomes) 1) Knowledge and insight in social theory and thematic sociologies that focus on society and its environment; sociology of space; sociology of the built environment; rural sociology, environmental sociology, ... 2) To become familiar with policy scientific insights on the content (discourse), the organisation and dynamics of spatial planning and area-specific policy, sustaibalble development and environmental policy on different scales and policy levels.   As policy scientific and sociological knowledge and insight prevails,  is out of question. No natural scientific nor technical knowledge (in the domains of common pool resource management and of environmental flows) is required. Environmental risks are considered as social contructs; environmental issues as social dilemma's. 3) To apply the concepts and analytical and evaluation frameworks into an applied context of real life issues, including to develop an attitude to collaborate with experts with another (more technical) background (interdisciplinarity), to deal with complexity, uncertainty and controversy and to value non-scientific input in knowlegde production, decision making and policy processes (transdisciplinarity).   3. Course content Topics in the state-of-the art 1. spatial planning, town and country planning and comprehensive/integrated area specific policy processes; local and international trends 2. impacts of other policy domains (rural, urban, mobility and infrastructure policy, ...) 3. types of spatial issues and conflicts 4. environmental policy issues, common pool resource management and sustainability discours, ecological modernisation, local and international trends 5. risk society; risk perception; risk communication; environmental justice and governance 6. environmental issues as social dilemma's; external and internal policy instruments 7. dealing with complexity, uncertainty and controversity, inter- and transdisciplinarity in knowledge production and policy processes 8. dynamics and institutionalisation of these policy domains 9. policy evaluation perspectives and methods 4. Teaching method Direct contact: Lectures Tutorials Personal work: Exercises Assignments - individual Paper - individual Supervised self-study 5. Assessment method Exam: Oral, with written preparation Open book Continuous assessment: Assignments Participation in classroom activities Written assignment: With oral presentation Presentation 6. Compulsory reading – study material / 7. Recommended reading - study material Nihil. 8. Tutoring After college and by appointment. laatste aanpassing: last update: 25/11/2009 13:35 sonja.vos