Spatial and Social Planning programme
180 ECTS credits
Study 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 upper secondary school level Social Studies 1b or 1a1 + 1a2 or A, and English 6 or B.
Elective programme courses may have different admission requirements.
While studying
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
| Semester 1 | ECTS credits |
|---|---|
| Introduction - Spatial and Social planning and project management (Obligatory) | 7.5 |
| Spatial and Social Planning I (Obligatory) | 7.5 |
| Political framework for Spatial and Social Planning (Obligatory) | 7.5 |
| The Sociological Context of Spatial Social Planning (Obligatory) | 7.5 |
Total ECTS credits:
30
| Semester 2 | ECTS credits |
|---|---|
| Spatial and Social Planning II: Sustainable development - individual, society and environment (Obligatory) | 15 |
| Research Methods and Essay in Social Sciences (Obligatory) | 15 |
Total ECTS credits:
30
| Semester 3 | ECTS credits |
|---|---|
| Processes of regional development (Elective) | 7.5 |
| Reformation of the welfare state (Elective) | 7.5 |
| Sociological theory and social change (Elective) | 7.5 |
| Methods of Spatial and Social Planning (Obligatory) | 7.5 |
| Social Planning as a Democratic Process (Obligatory) | 7.5 |
| The Sociological Context of Spatial Social Planning II (Obligatory) | 7.5 |
Total ECTS credits:
30*
| Semester 4 | ECTS credits |
|---|---|
| Introduction to GIS, as a Tool in Social Planning (Obligatory) | 7.5 |
| Organization, group processes and project management (Obligatory) | 10 |
| GIS, Social Planning and Project Work (Obligatory) | 12.5 |
Total ECTS credits:
30
| Semester 5 | ECTS credits |
|---|---|
| Social planning - practical training (Optional) | 15 |
| Social Planning: Practical Training (Optional) | 30 |
| Optional course (Elective) | 30 |
| Spatial Planning in Practice (Optional) | 7.5 |
| Public Decision Making in Practice (Optional) | 15 |
Total ECTS credits:
30*
| Semester 6 | ECTS credits |
|---|---|
| Sociology III (Elective) | 30 |
| Human Geography III (Elective) | 30 |
| Political Science III (Elective) | 30 |
Total ECTS credits:
30*
*Full-time study always equals 30 ECTS credits per semester (20 weeks).
Elective course: Students are free to choose among certain alternative courses, often depending on their choice of specialisation.
Optional course: Students are free to choose any course offered at Karlstad University or at other universities. Courses listed are examples of recommended or frequently chosen courses for a specific programme.