TM9541 - Events Design, Planning and Production

This module embraces a student-centred, problem-based approach to learning. You will learn about event management by designing, planning and organising small high-quality events in collaboration with others. These collaborative tasks will provide you with a real-world experience and will form the bases of your assessment. The module engages all participants as learning and knowledge builders.
You will be provided with a teaching and learning plan, which will provide an overview of the module, clarify arrangements for assessment, and provide details of learning activities as well as providing a reading list to support you in your learning. The teaching and learning plan will also introduce the initial project and tasks.
Scheduled taught: The weekly lecture will introduce the fundamentals of event planning, design and production, providing academic and professional frameworks that contextualises your work. The two weekly seminars will explain the projects and facilitate your group tasks, thus establishing a link between theory and practice. This collaborative work will form the basis of the module’s assignments.
Directed learning: the module will include a range of tutor-guided student-led activities and online content, which will help you to appreciate key issues and challenges. Through these activities you will be equipped with the necessary knowledge and skills to plan and produce small high-quality events.
Independent learning: You will also be encouraged to engage in wider reading beyond the learning materials provided, particularly in relation to the potential focus of your event.

Support will be provided to you by a member of academic staff. This member of staff will introduce key management ideas and support you in workshop groups of about 20 students; these will be fellow students studying the same programme as yourself. The main role of this member of staff in these workshops is to facilitate your learning, developing an atmosphere of shared responsibility.

Your module is supported by an e-learning portal, which houses resource materials which you will need to access as part of your studies, assessment details and various other support facilities such as recordings of academics on key issues. You will also be provided with a wide-ranging electronic reading list that comprises of various books, academic reports, conference papers and journal articles.

All your collaborative work will feed into the module assessment, which includes two elements. In small groups of maximum of 4 you will first design a business plan for a small high-quality event. This first assignment focuses mainly on event design and planning. You will be also submitting a Practical planning story board. This second assignment centres on event management and production.

On an ongoing basis your tutor and peers will give formative feedback on the tasks allowing you to reflect on your learning. Your tutor will be looking for, and supporting, your ability to investigate and analyse problems. This module requires you to reflect on your learning, you will be provided with online and personal support to develop your reflective skills.

All modules at Northumbria include a range of reading materials that students are expected to engage with. The reading list for this module can be found at: http://readinglists.northumbria.ac.uk
(Reading List service online guide for academic staff this containing contact details for the Reading List team – http://library.northumbria.ac.uk/readinglists)

Knowledge & Understanding:

• Consider, apply and critically evaluate design concepts at events (MLO1)

• Demonstrate an understanding of key management principles and techniques that are relevant to the organisation of festivals and events (MLO2)

Intellectual / Professional skills & abilities:

Observe and employ the process of creativity within an event context/setting (MLO3)

• Apply transferable professional skills to the planning and management of events (MLO4)

Personal Values Attributes (Global / Cultural awareness, Ethics, Curiosity) (PVA):

• Design and evaluate project work and research. (MLO5)

Collaborate with others in a constructive, effective and ethical manner. (MLO6)

The module assessment comprises two components, both of which are intimately related with the tasks you do collaboratively with others

Part 1: Business plan for a small high-quality event (50%, 1500 words). The assignment focuses on event design and planning and addresses MLO1, MLO3 and MLO5.

Part 2: Practical planning story board (50%). The assignment focuses on event management and production and addresses MLO2, MLO4 and MLO6.

On an ongoing basis your tutor and peers will give formative feedback on the tasks allowing you to reflect on your learning. Your tutor will be looking for, and supporting, your ability to investigate and analyse problems.

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This module provides an overview of the principles and practices of planning, managing and staging professional events. You’ll develop a strong understanding of each stage of the event cycle, from creative design and planning to production and evaluation, focusing on the practical considerations of running an event. You’ll learn how events enrich the lives of communities and improve communications in business, politics and professional life. Topics covered also include venue inspection, budgeting, risk assessment, volunteer and crisis management, and post-event evaluation. By designing, planning and staging your own events, you’ll gain the practical skills needed to start working towards a career in this exciting and competitive industry.