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GEPL452 Changing Communities: Development Planning

Updated: 19 April 2010
Credit Points 6
Offering
Responsible Campus Teaching Period Mode of Study Online Level
Armidale Semester 2 Off Campus A- Internet access required
Intensive School(s) None
Supervised Exam There is a UNE Supervised Examination held at the end of the teaching period in which you are enrolled.
Pre-requisites candidature in a postgraduate award
Co-requisites None
Restrictions GEPL352
Notes None
Combined Units GEPL352 - Changing Communities: Development Planning
Coordinator(s) Barbara Rugendyke (brugendy@une.edu.au)
Unit Description

This unit develops understanding of issues involved in planning for change in disadvantaged communities, primarily in developing nations. The aims, techniques and problems associated with policy formulation, development planning and program or project management are explored (including examination of the planning cycle - research and data collection, plan formulation, implementation, management, monitoring and evaluation). The efficacy and sustainability of development strategies as instruments of change are evaluated.
Prescribed Material
Mandatory 		Text(s):

Note: Students are expected to purchase prescribed material

Development Planning: Concepts and Tools for Planners, Managers and Facilitators
ISBN: 9781842774335
Dale, R., Zed Books 2004
Text refers to: Semester 2 , Off Campus
Disclaimer Unit information may be subject to change prior to commencement of the teaching period.
Assessment
Title Exam Length Weight Mode No. Words
Assignment 1 20% 1800
Relates to Learning Outcomes (LO) and Graduate Attributes (GA)
LO: 1 - 3 and 5 - 6 GA 1 - 3 and 6
Assignment 2 30% 3000
Relates to Learning Outcomes (LO) and Graduate Attributes (GA)
LO: 1-6 GA 1-4 and 6
Final Examination 2 hrs 50%
Relates to Learning Outcomes (LO) and Graduate Attributes (GA)
LO 1-6 GA 1-3 and 6

Learning Outcomes (LO) Upon completion of this unit, students will be able to:
  1. understand the complexities and dilemmas of development processes;
  2. demonstrate detailed knowledge about the issues which affect planning strategies for development in communities;
  3. be familiar with, and able to critically evaluate, strategies commonly used in development planning, including policy formulation and program or project implementation;
  4. be aware of the role community participation and education for sustainable development, and the practical difficulties and dilemmas involved in facilitating both;
  5. have knowledge of and be able to assess the appropriateness of the use, in different contexts, of techniques commonly used in development practice;
  6. critically evaluate the efficacy of development projects and programs as instruments of change.

Graduate Attributes (GA)
Attribute Taught Assessed Practised
1 Knowledge of a Discipline
Community development is essentially about addressing global spatial inequity, which is inherently geographical. Therefore knowledge of the discipline of geography is central to this unit. 		True True
2 Communication Skills
Graduates will be able to communicate effectively. Students practice communication skills in written assignments. Feedback from each assignment will assist them to improve communication skills. These are assessed when the assignments are assessed. 		True True
3 Global Perspectives
Graduates will be able to demonstrate a global perspective and intercultural competence in their professional lives. the focus on development practice in inevitably global and involved teaching cross-cultural awareness. Both will be assessed in assignments and the examination. Where students are engaged in development practice in their professional lives, practice of these skills will be encouraged and assignment topics will be designed in such a way as to allow reflection on such practice where relevant to individual students. 		True True True
4 Information Literacy
Graduates will have developed competencies in information literacy. Assignments will require students to practice skills in information literacy. Unit notes will provide some guidance in this regard. Information literacy skills will be assessed in written assignments. 		True True True
5 Life-Long Learning
Graduates will be prepared for lifelong learning in pursuit of personal and professional development. The unit teaches skills in problem formulation, planning and evaluation, which are beneficial skills for life, as well as for professional development. 		True True
6 Problem Solving
Graduates will be effective problem solvers, capable of applying logical, critical and creative thinking to a range of problems. Central to development practice is the need to solve problems - the focus of the development project cycle is problem formulation and implementation of strategies to bring about change. Assignments will require problem - solving, which will therefore be practised and assessed. Techniques used for problem solving in development practice will be taught. 		True True True
7 Social Responsibility
Graduates will be committed to ethical action and social responsibility. A topic within the unit involves consideration of ethical issues involved in development practice, in interventions for development, and in working in cross-cultural contexts. This is assessed in examinations. The central theme of the unit is on social responsibility - integral to development practice. Again this is taught and assessed. 		True
8 Team Work
Development practice inevitably involves practitioners working in teams. The unit build understanding of the importance of team work for successful implementation of community development projects. 		True
   

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