Bachelor's Programme in Planning and Communication

The Bachelor´s Degree Programme in Planning and Communication imparts students with fundamental insight into how social scientific knowledge may be actively used in planning and communication processes, contributing to development in regions, cities and places.

In order to contribute to social change through planning and communication processes, it is crucial that students know the basic processes that affect how we shape and change the society that surrounds us. During the first year of the study programme the following topics will be examined:

• Cultural change processes and population development
• Development and change perspectives on allocation, poverty, welfare and the environment
• Political processes and the development of political systems
• Economic globalization, value creation, allocation and consumption

A key feature of all these issues is that different parts of the world are increasingly interlinked. Globalization is therefore a recurrent theme in studies of social change.

The focus is on how, and to what extent, social change can be affected. We will look at three approaches to how we as individuals and as members of society can contribute to changes:

• Community planning and regional development
• Culture, planning and urban development
• The importance of media and communication in policy and planning

Students will get a basic introduction to social science research methods, also learning to design their own empirical investigation. Planning theory, media- and communication theory, geographical perspectives on change, discourse analysis and cultural analysis are important theoretical tools.

Minor component (‘breddeenhet’):

In the 3rd and 4th semester, students choose their own profile in their education by choosing exchange abroad or one of five minor components (‘breddeenhet). The minor components consist of a total of 40 ECTS in the second year of study: 10 ECTS in the autumn semester and 30 ECTS in the spring semester. The minor components are chosen prior to the 3rd semester in StudentWeb, in the period 10 June - 20 August. Please note that changes might occur. Students are encouraged to go on exchange in their 4th semester.

On successful completion of the programme, the student should be able to:

Knowledge

• have basic knowledge of moving and settlement patterns, value creation, distribution and consumption, cultural diversification, challenges concerning environmental change and resource allocation, localization issues, political institutions, international relations, global patterns of distribution of welfare, historical processes behind conflict
• have knowlegde of the history of planning
• have knowledge of cultural analysis, planning theory, ethics, and media and communication ethics in a social science perspective
• have knowledge of social science methodology and epistemology

Skills

• be able to actively contribute to social change through participation in planning and communication activities.
• participate in organizations working with the media and communication strategies, promoting organizations, development of information materials, mobilization of interest groups
• participate in public planning through finding, producing and facilitating relevant knowledge and organizing the planning process, the involvement of NGOs in public planning, obtaining input from various interest groups and the development of surveys
• to analyze and assess migration and settlement patterns, value creation, distribution and consumption, cultural diversification, challenges concerning environmental change and resource allocation, localization issues and patterns of welfare distribution
• be able to update their knowledge on planning challenges in society and relevant methods
• master relevant professional tools in public planning

General competence

• gain insight into the general ethical, political, and epistemological issues that are central to public planning, communication and dissemination
• be able to use interdisciplinary forms of collaboration that are used in various forms of planning, communication and dissemination

Assessment forms include oral presentations, essay writing, project assignments and school exam.

The programme qualifies students for work related to:

• Community planning
• Urban and regional development
• Information and dissemination
• Communication strategies and public relations
• The public sector, voluntary organizations, but also business organizations

The program qualifies for admission to the following master's programmes at University of Agder:

• Master's programme in Global Development and planning
• Master's programme in Social Communication
• Master's programme in Political Science and Management
• Master's Programme in Sociology and Social Work
• Master's programme in Innovation and Knowledge Development (Grimstad)

The language of instruction is primarily Norwegian, although certain courses will be taught in English.

It is required that all students at UiA have their own laptop computer for use in teaching and examination, cf. Regulations on Studies and Examination at the University of Agder § 12d.