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REMP63: Independent Study in Planning and Development
Module code: REMP63
Module provider: Real Estate and Planning; Henley Business School
Credits: 40
Level: 7
When you'll be taught: Full year
Module convenor: Dr Christopher Maidment, email: c.s.maidment@henley.reading.ac.uk
Pre-requisite module(s):
Co-requisite module(s):
Pre-requisite or Co-requisite module(s):
Module(s) excluded:
Placement information: NA
Academic year: 2024/5
Available to visiting students: No
Talis reading list: Yes
Last updated: 19 November 2024
Overview
Module aims and purpose
This module gives students the opportunity to carry out an in-depth Independent Study into a planning and development-related topic of their choice.
The first part of the module introduces students to the process of choosing and defining a research proposal, alongside developing core academic and professional skills. The second part of the module introduces research philosophies and methods in both qualitative and quantitative methods. A field trip to a European city will give students the opportunity to apply these research methods in a controlled environment. During the summer period students will draw on their learning and secondary data collection to develop their in-depth Independent Study, supported by a programme of group supervisory tutorials.
The module will enable students to develop their understanding and skills in all aspects of research, including learning from international examples and allow them to develop an in-depth, critical understanding of their chosen topic.
Module learning outcomes
By the end of the module, it is expected that students will be able to:
- Evaluate the appropriateness of different research methods by designing a research proposal to address a specific problem.
- Apply appropriate research methods to collect primary and secondary data about an international case study of planning and development practice.
- Understand the value of learning from alternative contexts and apply this to an international case study of planning and development practice.
- Analyse literature, secondary data and/or primary data to prepare an in-depth Independent Study that addresses a specific research problem.
Module content
Skills for Professional and Academic Practice
- Searching and critically reviewing different literatures
- Persuasive written and oral communication
- Creative thinking
- Preparing your research proposal
- Comparing international contexts and policy transfer
- Contemporary research in planning and development
Skills for ResearchÂ
- Research philosophies and different types of data
- Being an ethical researcher
- Qualitative research methods
- Quantitative research methods
- Collecting secondary data
- Data analysis
Structure
Teaching and learning methods
The module is taught using in-person lectures that will introduce students to a range of core academic and research skills, philosophies and methods. These will be supported by guest lectures that will introduce students to contemporary research in the discipline and workshops that guide students through certain aspects of the process. Fieldwork in a European city will allow students to apply their research skills. Group project supervision sessions, starting in Semester 2 and continuing part-way into the Summer period will support students as they develop their Independent Study. Students will also be supported in their learning through the provision of a range of digital resources to compliment the lectures and allow students to deepen their understanding of key concepts and skills.
Study hours
At least 70 hours of scheduled teaching and learning activities will be delivered in person, with the remaining hours for scheduled and self-scheduled teaching and learning activities delivered either in person or online. You will receive further details about how these hours will be delivered before the start of the module.
 Scheduled teaching and learning activities |  Semester 1 |  Semester 2 | Ìý³§³Ü³¾³¾±ð°ù |
---|---|---|---|
Lectures | 10 | 12 | |
Seminars | |||
Tutorials | |||
Project Supervision | 4 | 6 | |
Demonstrations | |||
Practical classes and workshops | 2 | 6 | |
Supervised time in studio / workshop | |||
Scheduled revision sessions | |||
Feedback meetings with staff | |||
Fieldwork | |||
External visits | 30 | ||
Work-based learning | |||
 Self-scheduled teaching and learning activities |  Semester 1 |  Semester 2 | Ìý³§³Ü³¾³¾±ð°ù |
---|---|---|---|
Directed viewing of video materials/screencasts | 10 | ||
Participation in discussion boards/other discussions | |||
Feedback meetings with staff | |||
Other | |||
Other (details) | |||
 Placement and study abroad |  Semester 1 |  Semester 2 | Ìý³§³Ü³¾³¾±ð°ù |
---|---|---|---|
Placement | |||
Study abroad | |||
 Independent study hours |  Semester 1 |  Semester 2 | Ìý³§³Ü³¾³¾±ð°ù |
---|---|---|---|
Independent study hours | 320 |
Please note the independent study hours above are notional numbers of hours; each student will approach studying in different ways. We would advise you to reflect on your learning and the number of hours you are allocating to these tasks.
Semester 1 The hours in this column may include hours during the Christmas holiday period.
Semester 2 The hours in this column may include hours during the Easter holiday period.
Summer The hours in this column will take place during the summer holidays and may be at the start and/or end of the module.
Assessment
Requirements for a pass
Students need to achieve an overall module mark of 50% to pass this module.
Summative assessment
Type of assessment | Detail of assessment | % contribution towards module mark | Size of assessment | Submission date | Additional information |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Written coursework assignment | European Field Trip Case Study | 25 | 2,000 words | Week 8, Semester 2 | |
Capstone project | Independent Study | 75 | 8,000 words |
Penalties for late submission of summative assessment
The Support Centres will apply the following penalties for work submitted late:
Assessments with numerical marks
- where the piece of work is submitted after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): 10% of the total marks available for that piece of work will be deducted from the mark for each working day (or part thereof) following the deadline up to a total of three working days;
- the mark awarded due to the imposition of the penalty shall not fall below the threshold pass mark, namely 40% in the case of modules at Levels 4-6 (i.e. undergraduate modules for Parts 1-3) and 50% in the case of Level 7 modules offered as part of an Integrated Masters or taught postgraduate degree programme;
- where the piece of work is awarded a mark below the threshold pass mark prior to any penalty being imposed, and is submitted up to three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline), no penalty shall be imposed;
- where the piece of work is submitted more than three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): a mark of zero will be recorded.
Assessments marked Pass/Fail
- where the piece of work is submitted within three working days of the deadline (or any formally agreed extension of the deadline): no penalty will be applied;
- where the piece of work is submitted more than three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension of the deadline): a grade of Fail will be awarded.
The University policy statement on penalties for late submission can be found at: /cqsd/-/media/project/functions/cqsd/documents/qap/penaltiesforlatesubmission.pdf
You are strongly advised to ensure that coursework is submitted by the relevant deadline. You should note that it is advisable to submit work in an unfinished state rather than to fail to submit any work.
Formative assessment
Formative assessment is any task or activity which creates feedback (or feedforward) for you about your learning, but which does not contribute towards your overall module mark.
At the end of Semester 1 students will present their research proposal and receive informal feedback from their peers and the module tutor. The presentation will be assessed on a pass/fail basis.
During Semester 2 and the Summer Period the student will participate in group supervision meetings and will receive informal feedback on the development of their Independent Study.
Reassessment
Type of reassessment | Detail of reassessment | % contribution towards module mark | Size of reassessment | Submission date | Additional information |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Written coursework assignment | European Field Trip Case Study incorporating Reflection | 25 | 2,000 words | During the university resit period | To incorporate reflection on how student has addressed feedback from original assignment |
Capstone project | Independent Study incorporating Reflection | 75 | 8,000 words | To incorporate reflection on how student has addressed feedback from original assignment |
Additional costs
Item | Additional information | Cost |
---|---|---|
Computers and devices with a particular specification | ||
Required textbooks | ||
Specialist equipment or materials | ||
Specialist clothing, footwear, or headgear | ||
Printing and binding | ||
Travel, accommodation, and subsistence | For the field trip to a European city, the department will pay for travel from the point of departure to the destination and accommodation. However, students will be expected to cover their daily subsistence requirements. | £300 |
THE INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS MODULE DESCRIPTION DOES NOT FORM ANY PART OF A STUDENT'S CONTRACT.