The calendar below shows regular lecture sessions (L), review sessions (R), workshops (W), special sessions (S), assignment and final exam due dates, and other key dates.
Course schedule.
| SES # |
TOPICS |
KEY DATES |
| Unit One: Introduction to Planning Traditions and Dilemmas - Prof. de Souza Briggs |
| L1 |
Course Overview, What is Planning, Learning from Theory and from Context (Cases) |
|
| W1 |
Part One: Required Workshop on Professional Communication |
|
| L2 |
Major Planning Traditions and Global Influences |
Assignment 1 due |
| L3 |
From Traditions to Dilemmas |
|
| W2 |
Part Two: Required Workshop on Professional Communication |
|
| Unit Two: (Case 1) Public Housing Redevelopment in Boston - Prof. Vale |
| L4 |
Case Introduction: Expert vs. Indigenous Knowledge; Power and Limits of Physical Design; Planning in Diverse Contexts (Race and Class) |
|
| R1 |
Review Session - Same Classroom, Remaining Reviews |
|
| L5 |
Case Discussion (cont.) |
|
| L6 |
Student Briefings |
Assignment 2 due |
| R2 |
Review Session |
|
| L7 |
Revisiting Planning Theory and Action |
|
| Unit Three: (Case 2) Development and Mobilization - Narmada in India - Prof. Rajagopal |
| L8 |
Case Introduction: Planning from Above vs. Planning from Below (Social Mobilization); Planning in a Global/Transnational Age; Planning Politics |
|
| S1 |
Required Film on Narmada: Multiple Screenings |
|
| L9 |
Case Discussion (cont.) |
|
| R3 |
Review Session |
|
| L10 |
Student Briefings |
Assignment 3 due |
| L11 |
Revisiting Planning Theory and Action |
|
| Unit Four: (Case 3) The Growth Machine and the Public Interest - Reinventing the Anacostia Waterfront in Washington, DC - Andrew Altman, MCP '88 |
| L12 |
Case Introduction: Comprehensiveness vs. Incrementalism; The City as Growth Machine; Power and Limits of Physical Design
Guest Lecturer: Andrew Altman, MCP '88 |
|
| L13 |
Case Discussion (cont.) |
|
| R4 |
Review Session |
|
| L14 |
Student Briefings |
Assignment 4 due |
| L15 |
Revisiting Planning Theory and Action |
|
| Unit Five: Stakeholders, Agreements, and Planners in the Middle |
| L16 |
Negotiation and Facilitation: Stakeholder Analyses, Conflict and Consensus, Interested Parties vs. Neutrals |
|
| S2 |
Out-of-class Negotiation Exercise, In Assigned Groups |
|
| L17 |
Debrief Negotiation Exercise |
|
| Unit Six: Human Diversity and Cities of Tomorrow |
| L18 |
Cities of Tomorrow, your Role and your Education |
Final exam distributed |
| L19 |
Course Review |
Review of themes, final exam is discussed |
| L20 |
Final Exam |
Submit final exam |