SDU-1 Methodological approaches in urban theory from the perspective of the current demands of doctoral theses

Doctoral School of Urban Planning
1st Year, sem 1, 2023-2024 | Compulsory Course | Hours/Week: 2C | ECTS Credits: 4
Course Leader:
prof. em. dr. arh. Mariana Eftenie
Learning outcomes:
Familiarization of doctoral students with the conceptual "vocabulary" of reference in urban theory . Peculiarities versus methodological generalities of research and study; The inter / transdisciplinary character of the urban planning field and the consequences in terms of research: documentation, selective bibliographic information; corroborating the information from the perspective of the scientific objectives of the doctoral study.
Content:
The response of the doctoral research in the field of urbanism to the requirements regarding the performance scientific research, involves the approach of some competitive research topics and from positions of knowledge "at the top" of the current trends/desiderata. Authentic interdisciplinarity finds its place in this context and posing the problem in the sense proposed by the course achieves these desired goals.

The general theme of the course is timely in current affairs, in the trends corresponding to academic scientific research and not only that. In the course, through a critical comparative treatment, specific investigation methodologies and systemic interpretation of information are discussed; putting into the equation a "Logical Scheme" of the doctoral exercise.

The course is made up of three chapters/modules, each considered a subject of study.
1. Methodological component - current understanding and from a scientifically corroborated perspective; limits and availabilities, conceptual boundaries and accepted scientific conventions
2. Identification of the defining components / stages of the scientific approach to the preparation of the doctoral thesis in urban planning; methods regarding bibliographic documentation in accordance with the topic studied; systemic articulation of scientific information; creating the research 'algorithm'; structuring the stages of study in an open system.
3. Interdisciplinary study methods with applicability to doctoral research subjects/themes (of PhD students).
Teaching Method:
The course is made up of presentations/lectures and debates on announced topics/themes and/or by commenting on the synthesis of a recommended bibliography in accordance with the topics studied in the PhD theses of the participating students.
Assessment:
The evaluation of the drd students' activity is a continuous process, carried out throughout the semester. The accumulated score includes assessments regarding participation along the way (oral interventions, topics proposed for debates, including attendance at classes, etc.
Bibliography:
BALANESCU O. Text editing. How to write a text correctly Ed. Ariadna ‚98. 2015
ECO. U. How to write an undergraduate thesis. Ed. Polirom 2020
DIACONU – Quantitative research methods. Designs and applications in social sciences.
GERASIM L. Ed. Polirom 2022. (also published in digital edition. www.polirom.ro)
CURELARU M.
MAIRAN C.
Notes:
Having as the main objective the adaptation of the information specific to the topic addressed in the course to the themes of the doctoral theses being developed, we will, consequently, adopt the topics discussed from this perspective.