Part A: Course Overview

Course Title: Urban Planning Research

Credit Points: 12.00

Terms

Course Code

Campus

Career

School

Learning Mode

Teaching Period(s)

HUSO2165

City Campus

Undergraduate

330H Social Science & Planning

Face-to-Face

 Sem 2 2006

HUSO2165

City Campus

Undergraduate

365H Global, Urban and Social Studies

Face-to-Face

 Sem 2 2007,
Sem 2 2008,
Sem 2 2009,
Sem 2 2010,
Sem 2 2011,
Sem 2 2012,
Sem 1 2014,
Sem 1 2015,
Sem 1 2016,
Sem 1 2017,
Sem 1 2018,
Sem 1 2019,
Sem 1 2020,
Sem 1 2021,
Sem 1 2022,
Sem 1 2023,
Sem 1 2024,
Sem 1 2025

Course Coordinator: Ani Landau-Ward

Course Coordinator Phone: +(61 3) 9925 5234

Course Coordinator Email: ani.landau-ward@rmit.edu.au

Course Coordinator Location: Building 8, Level 11

Course Coordinator Availability: By appointment


Pre-requisite Courses and Assumed Knowledge and Capabilities

Required Prior Study

You should have satisfactorily completed HUSO2166 Foundations of Social Research before you commence this course.

Alternatively, you may be able to demonstrate the required skills and knowledge before you start this course. Contact your course coordinator if you think you may be eligible.


Course Description

This course is designed to develop in-depth understanding of applied social research skills particular to the discipline of urban and regional planning. You will develop a critical awareness of the ways in which social data is produced and used, and insight into the sorts of decisions and compromises that are made at each stage of the research process.

Emphasis will be placed upon the diverse practical challenges you may encounter as a planning professional working with complex social issues and with diverse groups in a research context. You will develop an understanding of the range of conceptual, ethical, material, and logistical considerations that urban research projects entail. You will learn about a range of common methods of research data collection and analysis and assess their suitability to address specific urban research problems and questions.

Working in teams you will apply this understanding to design a complete research project proposal, relevant for future studies and professional work in urban and regional planning.

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:

  • Demonstrate creativity, critical thinking and innovation when identifying and solving urban and regional problems in diverse contexts and assessing implications of decisions and actions;
  • 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. Describe, evaluate and implement key theoretical and practical approaches to urban and regional planning research; 
  2. Review, analyse and synthesise existing research literature to inform scholarship and professional practice; 
  3. Critically analyse and interpret a range of social data and reflect on the ways in which it has been produced and used; 
  4. Design, plan and implement planning research projects; 
  5. Analyse the ways in which social research informs professional practice and public policy in urban and regional planning.


Overview of Learning Activities

You will be actively engaged in learning that involves a range of face-to-face and online activities such as lectures, tutorials, group and class discussion, group activities and individual research. 


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. 

The University Library has extensive resources for planning students. The Library has produced a subject guide that includes quality online and print resources for your studies http://rmit.libguides.com/planning. 

 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 the course learning outcomes and on your development against the program learning outcomes. 

Assessment tasks:

  • Research scoping activities (30% Linked to CLOs 1 and 3)
  • Research methods development tasks (20% Linked to CLOs 2, 3 and 5)
  • Research proposal tasks (40% Linked to CLOs 3, 4 and 5)
  • Project management and progress portfolio (10% Linked to CLO 4)

Feedback will be given on all assessment tasks. 

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 coordinator 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.