Spatial and Social Planning programme

Internationalisation and global processes affect the individual and society at both the local and regional level. Our society is becoming increasingly complex and dependent on the world. This requires a broader outlook and long-term planning while the speed of change demands flexibility and economical management of local resources. There is urgent need of long-term visions for developing society. Stricter environmental rules also impact on urban areas, and the infrastructure and landscape planning are expected to promote long-term sustainable development. Individual and public interests have to be considered and the planning process has to include different social groups, democracy issues and a gender perspective. The Community Planning programme offers a solid basis for addressing future societal challenges.

Education level: Basic level

Prerequisites

General admission requirements, plus either
- field-specific eligibility A4 (Mathematics 3b or 3c, Social studies 1b or 1a1 + 1a2) with the lower-lever Mathematics 2a or 2b or 2c, or
- field-specific eligibility 4 (English B, Mathematics C and Social Studies A) with the lower-lever Mathematics B.

Elective programme courses may have different admission requirements.

Education

The education integrates social, economic, ecological and physical aspects on community planning from a social science perspective. There are also broader multidisciplinary aspects, which add a sustainability dimension to the problem area. Students acquire broad and deepened knowledge relevant to public and private sector planning. They are prepared for the roles of community planner and project manager in different areas. Examples of areas covered are societal development and implementation, organising and managing implementation, the potential of community planning in local and regional development, democratic and social processes from a citizen and power perspective, and the planning and developing of sustainable environments.

The core of the community planning programme lies in the choice of human geography, sociology and political science studies of at least 60 ECTS cr., that is, one year full-time study, in the first two terms. In terms 3 and 4 there are courses with international and European planning components and courses in concrete community planning. Term 3 offers courses in europeanisation, regional development processes, international planning and community planning methods. Term 4 focuses on project management and communication methods, GIS, geographical information systems, and field or project work. In the fifth term students may choose studying abroad, or internship, or courses with an international focus at Karlstad University, other universities in Sweden or abroad. Subject to approval, transfer of credits can be made to the elective term. The recommended course of study concludes with a sixth term in which students specialise in their chosen major field of study, human geography, sociology or political science, including a degree project of 15 ECTS credits.

Form of Instruction

Teaching is usually in the form of lectures, group work, seminars and field studies.

Examination

There are no set examination periods, and generally no final exam at the end of a semester, an academic year, or a complete study programme. Examination usually takes place at the end of each course, module, or unit.

Professional Contact

Our excellent network of regional community planners guarantees that students have opportunities to find exciting socially relevant research problems for projects and degree thesis.

Course of study

Läsårs- och programvärderingar