REMP33-Land, Property Rights and Institutions

Module Provider: Real Estate and Planning
Number of credits: 20 [10 ECTS credits]
Level:7
Terms in which taught: Spring term module
Pre-requisites:
Non-modular pre-requisites:
Co-requisites:
Modules excluded:
Current from: 2020/1

Email: a.chettiparamb@reading.ac.uk

Type of module:

Summary module description:

This module provides an awareness of the land-related wider professional context of real estate and planning interventions using property rights. The first part examines the nature of both private property rights and common property regimes in relation to economic, social, environmental and cultural impacts using examples from across the world The second part draws on case –study-based teaching, again from across the world, focusing on specific land management practices used to address some of the pressing challenges of today such as urban sprawl, affordable housing and land assembly. 

Aims:

The aim of this module is to deconstruct and analyse property right regimes. It will introduce students to both the wider impacts of such regimes and the different land management tools and techniques that they give rise to. Knowledge of practices of land management from across the world and the impacts these have on individuals and societies are essential for understanding the wider context of real estate and planning interventions and appreciating the consequences that follow.   

Assessable learning outcomes:

By the end of the module the student will be able to: 

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  Identify the philosophical roots of current practices in land and property rights; 

  
  


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  Understand and articulate the influence of property rights regimes on ecological systems, poverty, food security, gender and human rights; 

  
  


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  Defend a position on controversial deba tes surrounding property rights; 

  
  


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  Critically appreciate land and property management techniques and ways in which these have been institutionalised in various contexts; 

  
  


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  Apply their knowledge of land management techniques to design an intervention; 

  
  

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  Develop innovation and creativity by desi gning an intervention package to address a given scenario.

  
  

Additional outcomes:

• Increased cross-cultural understanding; 


• Appreciation of the complexity and potential of property rights regimes; 


• Increased global awareness; 


• Increased decision-making capacity by synthesising information in complex situations.

Outline content:

The module will cover the following topic areas: 

• The philosophies underpinning property rights 


• Common property regimes 


• Ecological systems, food security and property rights 

• Tenure and land grab 


• Housing, gender and property rights 


• Land banks and planning 


• Plot reconstitution and land assembly  ;


• Development rights and Transferable Development Rights 


• Unbundling of property rights – Community Land Trusts 

Global context:

This module is wholly situated within a global context. The issues discussed in lectures and case studies used will develop a global awareness in students.  

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:

The module will be delivered through a combination of interactive lectures, student activities and case –study-based teaching. The first half of the module will be largely composed of interactive lectures and these will be consolidated through a student activity that tests for critical awareness amongst students. The latter half of the module will be based on the case study method of teaching. The end-of-module assessment will require students to consolidate their le arning by designing an intervention strategy for a specific given situation. 

Summative assessment- Examinations:

Not applicable

Summative assessment- Coursework and in-class tests:

There are two components of assessment. The first is a set exercise, either a debate or a presentation, depending on the number of students enrolled on the module. This will take place in the sixth teaching week of the module. The second assessment will ask students to propose a solution to a set problem situation using one or a combination of techniques for managing land/property. The word length of the report will be 3,500 words and will need to be submitted during the first week of the Summer term. 

Formative assessment methods:

Penalties for late submission:
Penalties for late submission on this module are in accordance with the University policy. Please refer to page 5 of the Postgraduate Guide to Assessment for further information: http://www.reading.ac.uk/internal/exams/student/exa-guidePG.aspx

Assessment requirements for a pass:

The pass-mark for this module is 50%.

Reassessment arrangements:

If the first assessment is a debate, reassessment will consist of a position paper of 1500 words. If a presentation, reassessment will be by the same method as for the module’s original assessment. Reassessment of the second assessment will be by the same method as the module’s original assessment requirement.  

Additional Costs (specified where applicable):

Last updated: 27 August 2020