Print Syllabus

Syllabus

MP0001 Place, Activity and Human Development, 15.0 Credits

Plats, aktivitet och individens utveckling

Subjects

Environmental Psychology

Education cycle

Master’s level

Modules

Title	Credits	Code
Single module	15.0	0101

Advanced study in the main field

Second cycle, has only first-cycle course/s as entry requirements
Master’s level (A1N)

Grading scale

Language

English

Prior knowledge

Knowledge equivalent to 120 credits and English 6

Objectives

The aim of the course is to give a psychological understanding of how people´s emotional bonds to specific places evolve during life, with particular focus on home and residential areas.

After completion of the course the student will be able to:

• specify general characteristics of activities taking place in green settings and some psychological principles regulating this behaviour

• give an overview of the general changes that occur in the way a person relates to the outdoor environment during the course of a lifetime

• elaborate on how people develop emotional bonds to specific places and the role of home environment in the formation of identity

• discuss the implications of people having bonds to places for planning and community development.

Content

The course combines the study of theory on the subject with workshops and assignments to investigate the following topics:

• How people use different places in the outdoor environment and what functions they take on in everyday life. With a focus on opportunities for privacy and rest, as well as possibilities for movement and creative action; in gardens, yards, parks and squares. Important concepts are "creativity", "self-regulation" and "personal space"
• How places take on meaning. We pay attention to how the acquirement of favourite places in childhood can be a precursor to feelings of home in the place of residence. Important concepts are "place attachment", "place identity" and "social cohesion"
• The role of people’s relationships to place following changes in their physical environment , due to moving, redevelopment, natural disasters e t c.

Specifications of assignments are given at course start. A selection of seminars and workshops and presentations of assignments are mandatory.

The course combines mandatory online meetings with tasks carried out independently.

Grading form

The grade requirements within the course grading system are set out in specific criteria. These criteria must be available by the course start at the latest.

Formats and requirements for examination

Participation in a selection of workshops/seminars and successful completion of assignments. Passed exam.

• If a student has failed an examination, the examiner has the right to issue supplementary assignments. This applies if it is possible and there are grounds to do so.

• The examiner can provide an adapted assessment to students entitled to study support for students with disabilities following a decision by the university. Examiners may also issue an adapted examination or provide an alternative way for the students to take the exam.

• If this syllabus is withdrawn, SLU may introduce transitional provisions for examining students admitted based on this syllabus and who have not yet passed the course.

• For the assessment of an independent project (degree project), the examiner may also allow a student to add supplemental information after the deadline for submission. Read more in the Education Planning and Administration Handbook.

Other information

• The right to participate in teaching and/or supervision only applies for the course instance the student was admitted to and registered on.

• If there are special reasons, students are entitled to participate in components with compulsory attendance when the course is given again. Read more in the Education Planning and Administration Handbook.

Additional information

The course is given as a distance course, with mandatory online meetings, at 50% speed.

Responsible department

Department of People and Society