Regional Development

Total Hours in Course81

Number of hours for lectures16

Number of hours for seminars and practical classes16

Independent study hours49

Date of course confirmation09.11.2021

Responsible UnitInstitute of Social Sciences and Humanities

Course developer

Sociālo un humanitāro zinātņu institūts

Dace Kaufmane

Dr. oec.

Prior knowledge

Soci1013, Community Development

Soci1014, General Sociological Theory

Soci2049, Rural Sociology

VadZ3015, Management

VidZ3006, Ecology and Environmental Protection

VidZ3047, Environmental Protection and Sustainable Development

Course abstract

The course provides students with knowledge of the nature of regions and the specifics of various territories, resources needed for regional development planning and institutions involved in regional development as well as the relevant legal framework. Students gain an understanding of the development planning system in Latvia and policy instruments for reducing socio-economic disparitiesacross the regions.
The aim of the course is to develop students' understanding of the regional development process and the ability to analyze the region as a socio-economic system.

Learning outcomes and their assessment

Knowledge :
Students will be able to: demonstrate the knowledgeand understanding of the nature of a region, regional sciences, the structure of regional policy and the institutional framework for regional development.
Demonstrate the knowledge and understanding of territorial development planning, diagnostics, forecasting and strategy. Test, Exam.
Professional skills :
Independently analyse a region as a socio-economic entity - independent work;
Analyse territorial development policy documents and develop proposals for the sustainable development of a region - practical assignments.
Soft skills :
Responsibly plan the completion of the assignments given, meeting the deadlines - practical assignments;
Acquire accurate information, do practical assignments and speak in public - independent work;
Able to participate in group work and discussions - discussions in forums.
Competence:
Independently analyse regional development as a stage in the development planning system and understand the regional development planning process and the role of a sociologist in conducting applied regional research – test, practical assignments, exam.

Course Content(Calendar)

Lecture topics:
1. Socio-economic space units. (2h)
2. The region from the sociological point of view. (1h)
3. Regional science and its formation. (1h)
4. Regional policy and regional development (2h)
5. Regional development instruments in the EU (2h)
6. Regional development policy in the world. (1h)
7. Institutionalization of regional development in Latvia. (2h)
8. Spatial planning process. (1h)
9. Regional diagnostics. (2h)
10. Regional development forecasting. (1h)
11. Regional development strategy. (1h)

Workshops / Practical Topics:
1. Territorial taxa and regional division in Latvia and the European Union. Specifics of rural areas. (2h)
2. The region from the point of view of different sciences and regional science as an integrated complex. (1h)
3. Structure of regional policy in Latvia. (1h)
4. Structural Funds and their use in Latvia. (2h)
5. Institutional system of regional development. (1h)
6. Research on administrative-territorial reforms in Latvia and their impact on territorial development. (2h)
7. Test 1 on regional division, regional science, regional policy structure, institutions and instruments. (1h)
8. National level, regional level and local government level plans and development planning system. (1h)
9. Region diagnostics in Latvia. (1h)
10. Methods included in regional development planning documents. (1h)
11. Development strategy development (2 h)
12. 2nd test on territorial planning, diagnostics, forecasting and strategy. (1h)

All topics specified for full-time studies are covered, but the number of contact hours is reduced to half of the number specified for full-time studies.

Requirements for awarding credit points

The course includes two tests to be performed during the practical work in the classroom and one independent work to be submitted at the specified time and practical assignments and discussions in practical classes.
Final assessment of the study course - an exam, in which 60% is made up of an accumulative assessment of study results and 40% is made up of an exam test.

Study process in part-time distance learning is organised in accordance with the Order of the Vice-Rector of Studies No. 2.4.-5/59 On distance learning procedures at LBTU. Study courses are scheduled for each semester according to the study plan. The students learn the topics included in the study course independently, using the materials created and placed by the lecturer in the e-studies (Moodle). Feedback on the learning of lecture and seminar topics in distance learning is organised in the form of self-assessment tests, discussion forums and independent work, as well as in face-to-face or online consultations, lectures and final examinations according to the timetable.

Description of the organization and tasks of students’ independent work

Within the study course, the following is allocated for independent studies:
1. 48 hours of full-time studies, which are organized as follows: preparation for two tests (20 hours), preparation of independent work (10 hours) preparation of practical assignments at the indicated times (18 hours);
2. 64 hours of part-time distance learning, which are organized as follows: preparation for two tests (20 hours), preparation of independent work (10 hours) preparation of practical assignments at the indicated times and discussions in forums (34 hours);
AWithin the study course, the following is allocated for independent studies:
48 hours of full-time studies, which are organized as follows: preparation for tests and exam (20 hours), preparation of independent work (10 hours) preparation of practical assignments at the indicated times (18 hours).
64 hours of part-time distance learning, which are organized as follows: preparation for tests and exam (20 hours), preparation of independent work (10 hours) preparation of practical assignments at the indicated times and discussions in forums (34 hours).

Criteria for Evaluating Learning Outcomes

Independent work is assessed according to the requirements for the quality of task performance.
A student can receive a successful assessment in the exam if at least 50% of the test questions are answered correctly.

Compulsory reading

1. Zaiga Krišjāne, Juris Krūmiņš (zin. redaktori) Izaicinājumi un risinājumi ilgtspējīgas sabiedrības attīstībai Latvijā. Reģionālo ideju darbnīcu rezultātu apkopojums Rīgā, Pierīgā, Vidzemē, Kurzemē, Zemgalē, Latgalē. Rīga: LU, 2020. 57 lpp.
2. Mitra J. Entrepreneurship, Innovation and Regional Development: An Introduction. 2nd edition. London: Routledge, 2019. 504 p. ISBN: 978-1-138-68562-8
3. Regional development. [tiešsaiste] Pieejams: https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/social-sciences/regional-development
4. Reģionālās attīstības likums. (2002) LR likums [tiešsaiste] Pieejams: https://likumi.lv/doc.php?id=61002
5. Regional development policy. [tiešsaiste] Pieejams: https://www.oecd.org/regional/regional-policy/regionaldevelopment.htm
6. Par Latvijas Nacionālo attīstības plānu 2021.-2027. gadam (NAP2027) Pieejams: https://likumi.lv/ta/id/315879-par-latvijas-nacionalo-attistibas-planu-2021-2027-gadam-nap2027-
7. ES pieeja ilgtspējīgai attīstībai. Pieejams: https://ec.europa.eu/info/strategy/international-strategies/sustainable-development-goals/eu-approach-sustainable-development_lv

Periodicals and other sources

1. Plānošanas reģionu sadarbības komisijas. Piejams: http://www.varam.gov.lv/lat/darbibas_veidi/reg_att/pl_reg/?doc=13639
2. EU regional and urban development. Pieejams: https://commission.europa.eu/eu-regional-and-urban-development_en

Notes

Compulsory study course for ESAF academic bachelor study program Sociology of Organizations and Public Administration

Atsauksmes