After successful completion of the course, students are able to structure their diploma or master thesis in urban research, urban design or urban planning into smaller steps of operationalization.
Students will have gained experience in improving individual writing skills. They have learned how research questions, methods and forms of analysis and interpretation need to be linked together as part of wider research designs. They will have learned to carve out the social relevance of their diploma/master thesis. A special focus will be set on urban studies approaches and planning theory approaches and how they can be linked to other research traditions (sociology, political science, architecture, planning, urban design, landscape architecture, human, social and political geography, ethnography, etc.)
Short intro lectures á 30min will be offered on salient issues of thesis writing, e.g. research design, research strategies, and they will also introduce different strands in urban studies, planning theory, thesis writing, etc. After a general introduction and depending on the number of attending students, each participant will be allocated a 20-minutes slot, in which his/her work is discussed in the group by other students and by lecturers. The students will prepare a text of 4-6 pages about their research and upload it on the course website at least 10 days in advance to their presentation slot, so that teacher(s) and fellow students can read it in preparation for the session. In addition, each student can propose a reading that speaks to his/her research, whereas teaching team will also propose a second reading.
Students will present their work, describing the subject of their research, their aims and objectives, their theoretical framework, their research methodology, and the results of their work so far. Students will be expected also to relate their research to contemporary urban theory through key readings and key online lectures. The group will then engage in a debate about these points with the students, helping to clarify and develop the research design, questions, hypotheses, concepts and methods of the research project. The nature of the seminars is developmental, designed to help the students with constructive feedback. Furthermore, participants will benefit from the range of issues that are covered and discussed. The development of a friendly group atmosphere is an essential part of the course, and so it is important that all participants attend all the sessions and engage in supportive discussion of one another’s work.
The course will benefit from engaged face-to-face feedback methods in urban studies which combine blended learning (e.g. digital lecture inputs) with face-to-face interaction, formal presentation and also informal debating rounds. We follow an interest-based approach to learning and therefore start from individual thesis projects (or first ideas about choosing a theme for diploma or master thesis) and develop teaching along your themes, interests and motivations. By using an international urban studies context to engage with international scholarly debates in urban studies and planning theory, we combine selected readings with international keynote lecturers and the intensive training of interviewing and other research techniques.
The seminar will be held in presence - In case of a changed corona situation, the format may be changed (e.g. possibility of distance-learning). Please check regularly (incl. TISS messages two hours before the course date).
The course will be held in German and English.
Criteria for evaluation: Deepness of analysis, engagement in the debates, reflection and self-reflection, creating an own position, proposing scientific sources, ability to take criticism, ability to carry out research methods, engaged presentation and moderation of successive debate.
Students should have ideally started working on their diploma or master thesis project or should have actively engaged with developing a first idea for a thesis project in spatial planning, architecture or urban studies.
