Culture, Politics and Planning

The course is required in the Joint Master's Program in Nordic Urban Planning (NUPS).

The course may also be part of other disciplinary Master programmes within Social Sciences and Humanities and may be taken as a single course.

This course starts out with a brief theoretical introduction to major contestations around the concept of culture in contemporary social sciences and humanities. This is followed by an overview of shifts in interdisciplinary and thematic angles on "culture in development", from the classical era of development in the late 20th century to current rather instrumental uses of culture as a result of the neo-liberal turn and a policy focus on integration and smart city concepts, within which privatization and securitization figures prominently. A major focus is on how planning cultures and urban projects in Asian and African mega cities respond to mega trends (climate changes, tourism, youth unemployment, voluntary and involuntary migration, violent conflict, privatization of security and basic services) and emerging and future implications for Arctic cities.

Bachelor degree in a social science subject is required as a general rule. Applicants must have a minimum grade average comparable to a Norwegian C (2,5) in the ECTS scale.

The course requires solid competence in reading and writing English.

Application code: 9371

The students have the following learning outcomes:

Knowledge

The student has:

• A basic theoretical insight in challenges of development and North-South relations with special emphasis on aspects of culture and planning and the interfaces of culture and planning.

Skills

The student is able to:

• Make sense of historical and current perspectives on culture, knowledge production, social capital, gender and planning with relevance for development and NGOs.

Competences

• Competent application of theoretical and analytical concepts relevant to culture, planning and development

The course consists of 10 double lectures and 10 single hour seminars.

Quality assurance

The course will be evaluated at the end of the semester.

Language of instruction and examination

The language of instruction is English.

Language of examination is English or Norwegian.

This course is open for inbound exchange student who meets the admission requirements. Please see the Admission requirements.

Do you have questions about this module? Please check the following website to contact the course coordinator for exchange students at the faculty: INBOUND STUDENT MOBILITY: COURSE COORDINATORS AT THE FACULTIES | UiT

More info about the coursework requirements

• Obligatory attendance at 75 % of the lectures
• Presentation of an article at a seminar

Re-sit examination