Seminar Social Dimensions of Structural Change

The transformation of industrial into post-industrial regions is a multi-dimensional process that involves much more than -just” economic restructuring in the form of deindustrialization or at least industrial decline which the title -post-industrial” seems to imply. Already industrialization was not simply the establishment of a new economic regime or system, but a complex and interconnected process of change which saw the emergence of new technological, social, political and institutional arrangements. Society at large, social institutions, arrangements, roles, norms, mechanisms of control all underwent significant changes, leading to the creation of new ways of life, milieus and structures. Likewise, post-industrial change again has brought about challenges that are multi-faceted and which defy one-dimensional solutions. The problems of post-industrial regions are not simply the creation of new and different jobs or of retraining the workforce for a changed labour market. Rather, a multi-dimensional conceptualization of post-industrialization is required, both to analyse the complexity of the transformation, and to develop adequate political and planning approaches to deal with it. With other courses in the programme focussing on the economic, political and planning implications and approaches to post-industrial change, this course will primarily look at the social transformations experienced by post-industrial regions in the process of structural change. We will start discussing some key theoretical reference points to the academic debates over post-industrialization – and consider the experiences of a number of former industrial regions beyond the Ruhr. Then we will turn our attention to the Ruhr, charting both, the social repercussions of change as well as the diverse strategic political and planning approaches and initiatives developed for and in the Ruhr over the decades. The course is a seminar-course, based on a variety of literature sources, some lecturing inputs, and discussions in class; it thus requires the preparation of reading material and active participation in class by students. Depending on the size of class and the possibilities of mutually agreeable timing, some short-term field visits may be arranged in the Ruhr to highlight some of the processes discussed in class. To be arranged. Institut für Soziologie M.Sc. Spatial Planning (2012): Requirement for passing this course is a proof of successful active participation according to §19 MPO. Active participation includes conscientious reading of the prescribed reading material and participation in class discussions during weekly sessions, therefore presuming regular attendance. Furthermore, students are expected to prepare at least one oral presentation as well as a 15-page written report on the topic of said presentation. In addition participating students can take a marked exam (partial module exam). The choice of exams (usually oral exam or seminar paper) and their conduct are according to the examination regulations and the module handbook. M.Sc. Raumplanung (2008): Die Veranstaltung wird als Pflichtveranstaltung einer Vertiefungsrichtung abgeschlossen über eine benotete Studienarbeit oder, gemeinsam mit einem weiteren Element, über eine mündliche Prüfung. Alternativ kann die Veranstaltung als Wahlpflicht-Veranstaltung belegt werden und wird mit dem Nachweis der erfolgreichen aktiven Mitarbeit abgeschlossen. Daran werden die o. g. Anforderungen gestellt. Technische Universität Dortmund SoSe 2014 Master Raumplanung (2008) Prof. Dr. Basten Ludger