Part A: Course Overview

Course Title: Planning Theory

Credit Points: 12.00

Terms

Course Code

Campus

Career

School

Learning Mode

Teaching Period(s)

ARCH1065

City Campus

Undergraduate

330H Social Science & Planning

Face-to-Face

 Sem 1 2006

ARCH1065

City Campus

Undergraduate

365H Global, Urban and Social Studies

Face-to-Face

 Sem 1 2007,
Sem 1 2008,
Sem 2 2010,
Sem 2 2011,
Sem 2 2017,
Sem 2 2018,
Sem 2 2019,
Sem 2 2020,
Sem 2 2021,
Sem 2 2022,
Sem 2 2023,
Sem 2 2024

ARCH1065

City Campus

Undergraduate

365H Global, Urban and Social Studies

Internet

 Sem 1 2009

Course Coordinator: Alexandre Faustino

Course Coordinator Phone: +61 3 9925

Course Coordinator Email: alexandre.faustino@rmit.edu.au

Course Coordinator Location: Building 8. Floor 11

Course Coordinator Availability: By appointment


Pre-requisite Courses and Assumed Knowledge and Capabilities

None


Course Description

This course introduces you to theories and concepts related to the nature, purpose and policy practices of planning. It is a course designed to bring together theory and practice in what is generally termed praxis. Ideally, theory should underpin planning practice at all levels, in all types of plan- and policy-making. In turn, practice should inform theory. Theory, therefore, helps planning and environmental practitioners to understand the environments (social, economic and environmental) in which they work and how they work. The course will not provide you with recipes or templates for ‘how to do’ planning and environmental policy-making and implementation. Instead, it will raise questions and issues, which enhance our capacity to think about planning practice and the ‘practical judgements’ that have to be made. 

If you are enrolled in this course as a component of your Bachelor Honours Program, your overall mark will contribute to the calculation of the weighted average mark (WAM).  

See the WAM information web page for more information. 


Objectives/Learning Outcomes/Capability Development

Program Learning Outcomes 

In this course you will develop the following program learning outcomes: 

  • Discern the value of information and knowledge from a wide variety of sources and experiences and reflect on and evaluate their application in planning practice and research. 
  • Apply a range of social science research methods to conduct research and undertake policy development that consider theoretical, historical, local and international contexts for decision making. 


Course Learning Outcomes 

Upon successful completion of this course you will be able to: 

  1. Critically review the main traditions of thought, key authors and their work in fields relating to planning theory and practice
  2. Analyse relationships between planning theories, governance and policies 
  3. Relate theoretical concepts and debates about planning processes to case examples in policy and practice. 


Overview of Learning Activities

Learning activities may include lectures and structured discussions. Structured discussions are based on your readings of key texts, in which you will explore some specific aspects of theories, answering questions and relating the theories and concepts to planning and environmental policy practices, referring to your own experiences as appropriate.


Overview of Learning Resources

RMIT will provide you with resources and tools for learning in this course through our online systems. 

A list of recommended learning resources will be provided by your lecturer, including books, journal articles and web resources. You will also be expected to seek further resources relevant to the focus of your own learning. 

 There are services available to support your learning through the University Library. The Library provides guides on academic referencing and subject specialist help as well as a range of study support services. For further information, please visit the Library page on the RMIT University website and the myRMIT student portal. 


Overview of Assessment

You will be assessed on how well you meet course learning outcomes and on your development against the program learning outcomes. Feedback will be given on all assessment tasks. 

Assessment Tasks 

  1. Reflective reading of planning theory 30% (Individual task linked to CLO 1,2,3) 
  2. Presentation and discussion of key debates 30% (Individual task linked to CLO 1,2,3) 
  3. Major analysis of theory in practice 40% (Individual task linked to CLO 1,2,3)  
If you have a long term medical condition and/or disability it may be possible to negotiate to vary aspects of the learning or assessment methods. You can contact the program manager or Equitable Learning Services if you would like to find out more.     Your course assessment conforms to RMIT assessment principles, regulations, policies, procedures and instructions.