SDP424 Real Property Theory

Credits (ECTS):5

Course responsible:Knut Boge

Campus / Online:Taught campus Ås

Teaching language:Engelsk

Limits of class size:Maximum 15 registered participants for both SDP424 and SDP425 and minimum of 10 registered participants.

Course frequency:Every two years in odd years

Nominal workload:

  • Ca. 25 hours lectures and colloquia
  • Ca. 50 hours project assignment
  • Ca. 50 hours of self-study

Teaching and exam period:The course is taught every 2 years. Commencement 27-31 January 2025, presentations in groups on 10-11 April 2025 and submission of project papers 3 June 2025. The teaching takes places as 1 week of physical gathering. The rest of the participation is digital.

About this course

Real property is understood as a defined part of the land surface or land on which various forms of rights and ownership can be established, and to which economic values are attached. In this course, different perspectives on property theory, the function of real property in today's society and different forms of rights and ownership related to real property are discussed. It also discusses how property can be identified as an instrument and regulated from a public and private law perspective and fundamental limitations for interference with property rights.

The purpose of the course is to provide a deeper theoretical understanding of key concepts such as property and property rights from economic, legal, political, and philosophical perspectives, and through the course participants will be challenged on how these perspectives can be important for the individual's research project.

The course will have a practical angle through examples of how real property theory has been applied in previous PhD work and how the participants themselves can apply real property theory in the participant's own PhD work.

The course will culminate in a project assignment, which may be a draft of an article. The course consists of lectures, project work and discussions that are part of a basic module of 5 ECTS. It is possible to take a further specialization in the subject by taking an additional module of 2.5 ECTS in addition to the basic module of 5 ECTS contained in SDP 424, but admission must instead be applied for with the course code SDP 425, which is 7.5 ECTS. SDP 425 has the same teaching module, but the requirements for the project assignment are greater (number of words) and there will be an additional syllabus that can be partially self-selected after approval by the course coordinator.

Module 1: Introduction to perspectives on real property theory (project paper)

  • Different perspectives on real property theory - including philosophical, political, economic, historical, and administrative perspectives.
  • Overview of Institutional Theory and Property and Property Rights as an Institution.
  • Institutional Regimes in the Regulation of Property Rights.
  • What are property rights?
  • Purpose of regulation of property rights.
  • Sustainable natural resource management and circular economy.
  • Property as an instrument and instrument for changing or influencing property rights.

Learning outcome

Knowledge - the participants

  • is familiar with the knowledge front in real property theory and master the subject area's theory of science.
  • can assess the appropriateness and use of different perspectives on real property theory and institutional theory in research and in the development project.

Skills - the participants

  • can formulate problems for, plan and carry out research and professional development work using real property theory and institutional theory.
  • can conduct research and professional development work at national and international level within real property theory.
  • can handle complex academic issues and challenge established knowledge and practice in the field.

General competence - the participants

  • can identify new relevant issues and conduct their research with academic integrity.
  • can contribute to the development of new knowledge, new theories, methods and interpretations in the field.
  • can disseminate research and development work through recognized national and international channels.
  • can participate in academic debates within the subject area in national and international forums.
  • Learning activities
    Lectures, colloquia, presentation of project outline, project assignment, and self-study.
  • Teaching support
    • Lectures
    • The teacher(s) supervises the project work
    • Canvas
  • Prerequisites
    Participants must be admitted to a PhD programme.
  • Recommended prerequisites
    North, Douglass C. (1990) Institutions, Institutional Change and Economic Performance. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
  • Assessment method
    Project assignment, where the assessment form is Passed/Not passed.

    Project work Grading: Approved/ Not approved
  • Examiner scheme
    The external examiner and course coordinator read through exam papers and project assignments and arrive at grades for the various papers.
  • Mandatory activity
    Participation in teaching, presentation in groups, and submission of project paper.
  • Preferential right
    PHD, LANDSAM
  • Admission requirements
    Must be admitted to a PhD programme.