Module Catalogue

GEO3114 : Local and Regional Development

  • Offered for Year: 2024/25
  • Available to incoming Study Abroad and Exchange students
  • Module Leader(s): Dr Emma Ormerod
  • Lecturer: Professor Danny MacKinnon, Professor Andy Pike, Dr Kean Fan Lim
  • Owning School: Geography, Politics & Sociology
  • Teaching Location: Newcastle City Campus
Semesters

Your programme is made up of credits, the total differs on programme to programme.

Semester 1 Credit Value: 20
ECTS Credits: 10.0
European Credit Transfer System

Aims

•       To examine critically existing understandings and models of local and regional development
•       To provide an advanced knowledge and understanding of local and regional development theory and policy.
•       To develop an advanced understanding of the instruments and policies of local and regional development.
•       To examine local and regional development in practice in an international context.

Outline Of Syllabus

Part I – Introduction to local and regional development: outlines the changing context of local and regional development and social and spatial inequalities and poses fundamental questions about the purpose and nature of ‘development’ locally and regionally.

Part II – Frameworks of understanding -concepts and theories of local and regional development: provides a range of conceptual and theoretical frameworks for understanding and interpreting local and regional development, with a focus on post-crisis development.

Part III – Policy and Practice: discusses the strategies and policies of attempts to generate and shape local and regional development processes.

Part IV – International Perspectives: addresses ‘on the ground’ experiences in different contexts internationally, as well as future career development skills.

Teaching Methods

Teaching Activities
Category Activity Number Length Student Hours Comment
Scheduled Learning And Teaching ActivitiesLecture211:0021:00Lectures
Guided Independent StudyAssessment preparation and completion140:0040:00N/A
Guided Independent StudyDirected research and reading1121:00121:00N/A
Scheduled Learning And Teaching ActivitiesSmall group teaching31:003:00Small group seminars to support learning in lectures.
Scheduled Learning And Teaching ActivitiesWorkshops31:003:00Small group workshops linked to assessment.
Structured Guided LearningStructured non-synchronous discussion61:006:00Key readings and tasks based on lecture and workshop content.
Scheduled Learning And Teaching ActivitiesDrop-in/surgery21:002:00Online live drop-ins at end of each semester, supporting assessment.
Scheduled Learning And Teaching ActivitiesModule talk12:002:00Film Screening & Discussion.
Scheduled Learning And Teaching ActivitiesModule talk11:001:00Whole group introduction to Assessment 2, leading into small group workshops
Total199:00
Teaching Rationale And Relationship

Lectures introduce, develop and illustrate the core conceptual, theoretical, empirical and policy content of the module.

Seminars provide an opportunity to ground and deliver lecture content in smaller groups, with analysis and student-led debates.

The workshops focus upon debate and analysis of contemporary material in smaller groups, with links to the assessment.

Guided learning through set readings and tasks deepens student knowledge and discussion, enabled through online discussion boards.

Module Talks introduce students to employment skills related to core material covered.

The drop in/surgery provides an opportunity for discussion and problem solving in addressing course material and assessment.

All lectures, module talks and small group teaching sessions (unless otherwise stated) are planned to be PiP in 23/24, but alternative online provision will be provided should individual and wider health contexts demand it.

Assessment Methods

The format of resits will be determined by the Board of Examiners

Other Assessment
Description Semester When Set Percentage Comment
Essay1M602,000 word essay
Report1M401,300 word policy report
Assessment Rationale And Relationship

The assessed essay tests the students’ ability to explore subjects in-depth, demanding critical reading and writing skills and an ability to gather and synthesise material and to formulate a rigorous argument. Students will be able to demonstrate knowledge and critical examination of existing models of local and regional development alongside an application of relevant theory.
The policy report tests student’s ability to engage with the workshops materials, demonstrating an advanced understanding of the instruments and policies of local and regional development in practice, and developing report writing and research skills, policy writing and critical analysis skills, useful in the transition to a future career.

Reading Lists

Timetable