SAL-33306 Space, Place and Society

Vak

Studiepunten 6.00

Language of instruction:

English

Assumed knowledge on:

Human Geography (SAL-20306)

Continuation courses:

Urban Development and Rural Change in Contemporary Societies, SAL-33806, SAL-70316, SAL-80326

Contents:

This course focuses on recent theoretical contributions to the social production, consumption, representation and experience of space. The central problem is how people transform space through spatial practice and design, and how the environment influences people's attitudes, behaviour and well-being. The transformation of space as a result of constantly changing ideals, needs and practices will be approached from both a macro- and micro-sociological perspective. Attention will be given to general processes such as globalisation, changing production and consumption patterns, the formation of spatial life styles and forms of governance. The interface between these processes and local-level developments will be explored by focusing on how communities, organizations, companies and interest groups develop new demands for spatial qualities and how conflicting claims can effectively be inserted in policy and planning mechanisms. Focusing on discourses, identities and how people develop a sense of place, this analysis will also include the level of everyday life worlds and experiences. The significance of theoretical considerations will be further explored by confronting these with a number of regional cases on rural and urban development projects. Students will be confronted with the question of how socio-spatial analysis can contribute to a better understanding of empirical developments, and how it can contribute to processes of policy making, planning and design.

Aims:

Upon completion of the course, students will:
- have theoretical and conceptual understanding of how and why people transform space and how space influences people;
- have advanced knowledge of the main social-science theories of spatial processes and practices, the experience of space and place, and the representation of space;
- understand how social and cultural developments influence the use of space and the demands for spatial qualities;
- be able to link processes of globalisation and localisation;
- be able to analyse spatial configurations and spatial conflicts;
- be able to assess the usefulness of socio-spatial analysis for policy, planning and design - be able to integrate knowledge about the everyday life-world with policy and planning processes;
- be able to apply theoretical knowledge in applied research related to rural problems;
- have insight in societal debates about the meaning and future of rural areas.

Activities:

- lectures;
- discussion and literature study;
- case study analysis;
- essays.

Examination:

Written exam and assignments.

Literature:

Course outline available. Literature to be announced.