| Overview and Aims of the Program |
The Specialisation in International Development is a focused program of study that develops students’ skills in planning in an international development context, and prepares them for a variety of planning positions in the public and private sector, including international organisations.
The Specialisation, and the Master of Planning it is offered through, are accredited by the Australian Institute of Planning and build on an urban and environmental studies program that commenced in 1978.
A key feature of the Specialisation is its focus on development policy and practice, in the context of sustainability, and how this applies to strategic land use planning and assessment.
A distinctive feature across the degree is the development of skills needed for the practicing planner. The curriculum is based on lectures, workshops, tutorials and importantly field visits to ground theory to practice. |
| Graduate Capabilities |
The Graduate Capabilities Framework articulates the fundamentals that underpin all of Macquarie’s academic programs. It expresses these as follows:
Cognitive capabilities
(K) discipline specific knowledge and skills
(T) critical, analytical and integrative thinking
(P) problem solving and research capability
(I) creative and innovative
Interpersonal or social capabilities
(C) effective communication
(E) engaged and ethical local and global citizens
(A) socially and environmentally active and responsible
Personal capabilities
(J) capable of professional and personal judgement and initiative
(L) commitment to continuous learning |
| Program Learning Outcomes |
By the end of this program it is anticipated you should be able to:
Demonstrate advanced practical and applied knowledge of development planning theory incorporating legal and governance principles, processes and practice
Critically evaluate planning and sustainability theories and apply this knowledge to contemporary development planning issues across spatial and temporal scales
Interpret and apply planning policies and instruments
Evaluate the implications of contemporary international development planning issues and how they impact on the environment and society
Demonstrate capacity to make ethical decisions in relation to professional planning practice
Synthesise core principles of urban and regional planning within an interdisciplinary context. |
| Learning and Teaching Methods |
Students are encouraged throughout this program to develop professionally relevant subject skills, methods, knowledge and understanding through a variety of independent and collaborative activities. The program is structured so that students do a set of required units which build core competencies, and electives which enable students to pursue their interests.
The teaching and learning approaches are designed to encourage creative and critical thinking about environmental, development and planning issues as well as a range of practical skills oriented towards professional development. Teaching and learning strategies include weekly workshops that typically involve a lecture accompanied by in-class activities involving peer-to-peer learning; block-mode teaching where teaching is condensed into extended blocks involving guest lectures and practical activities spread over two or three days; and field trips to research sites. In each case staff work closely with students to ensure the best learning outcomes. The program mixes the knowledge and skills of academic staff with practicing professionals who play a prominent role in many of the teaching and learning activities.
Within the program there is an emphasis on student directed learning through peer-to-peer interaction and discussion, drawing on the diverse skills and backgrounds of people within the class. Students are expected to research subjects outside class time and present that research via a variety of formats in class. A number of units are aimed at developing professional teamwork skills and require students to work in small teams to generate and present ideas and research. There are also opportunities to apply skills and knowledge to practical ‘real world’ problems by producing research reports for public, private and community sector organisations. |
| Assessment |
Students are exposed to a wide range of assessment tasks through this program. The majority of these are individual pieces of work oriented at developing the critical thinking, practical and communication skills required for a career as an environmental or development planner. The most common assessments involve writing essays and reports on contemporary environmental, development and planning topics; writing reviews and evaluations of current policies and approaches; and making presentations and participating in discussions with your peers. Other individual assessment tasks may include quizzes, exams, proposals, research projects, academic papers, critical reflections and the application of relevant environmental and development planning skills. You will also be required to work in groups on group assessment tasks that will reflect your knowledge, as well as teamwork and communication skills.
Clear standards and criteria for coursework are included in the unit guides. Marking rubrics provided for specific assessment tasks to help students clarify what is expected. Feedback on submitted assignments takes a range of forms but generally involves written notes regarding the strengths and weaknesses of each student’s work, as well as either quantitative or qualitative assessment in accordance to the assessment marking rubric. Teaching staff also provide feedback in-class or through personal appointments for further feedback and guidance. Constructive peer feedback may be sought for some assessment tasks, particularly those that require presentations. When conducting research for a public, private or community sector organisation as part of the training, feedback is also sought from these entities. |
| Recognition of Prior Learning |
Macquarie University may recognise prior formal, informal and non-formal learning for the purpose of granting credit towards, or admission into, a program. The recognition of these forms of learning is enabled by the University’s Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) Policy (see www.mq.edu.au/policy) and its associated Procedures and Guidelines. The RPL pages contain information on how to apply, links to registers, and the approval processes for recognising prior learning for entry or credit.
Domestic Students
For undergraduate RPL information visit www.goto.mq.edu.au/nonschoolrpl
For domestic postgraduate RPL information visit www.goto.mq.edu.au/pgrpl
International Students
For RPL information visit www.mq.edu.au/international/rpl undefined |
| Support for Learning |
Macquarie University aspires to be an inclusive and supportive community of learners where all students are given the opportunity to meet their academic and personal goals. The University offers a comprehensive range of free and accessible student support services which include academic advice, counselling and psychological services, advocacy services and welfare advice, careers and employment, disability services and academic skills workshops amongst others. There is also a bulk billing medical service located on campus.
Further information can be found at www.students.mq.edu.au/support/
Campus Wellbeing contact details:
Phone: +61 2 9850 7497
Email: campuswellbeing@mq.edu.au
www.students.mq.edu.au/support/wellbeing |
| Program Standards and Quality |
The program is subject to an ongoing comprehensive process of quality review in accordance with a pre-determined schedule that complies with the Higher Education Standards Framework. The review is overseen by Macquarie University's peak academic governance body, the Academic Senate and takes into account feedback received from students, staff and external stakeholders. |
| Graduate Destinations and Employability |
Graduates of the Environmental Planning specialisation in the Master of Planning find employment in a wide variety of organisations: Government, in Australia particularly at local and state levels; non-government organisations; and in the private sector there are opportunities in specialist and multi-disciplinary environmental management, planning and engineering consultancies.
Career opportunities include:
State government: strategic planning; policy development and research; statutory planning; development assessment & control; environmental & social impact assessment
Local Government: strategic planning; statutory planning; development assessment & control; environmental impact assessment
Federal Government: policy development & research; environmental & social impact assessment
Private Sector: specialist and multi-disciplinary environmental management, planning and engineering consultancies; development companies & agencies
Non Government Organisations: advocacy & lobby groups; peak interest and action groups; research organisations.
The program prepares students via exposure to a wide variety of case studies; training in diverse disciplines and in cross-disciplinary thinking; workshops and field work that provide training in practical skills; and the opportunity to be part of a student consulting team with an actual government or private sector client. |
| Assessment Regulations |
This program is subject to Macquarie University regulations, including but not limited to those specified in the Assessment Policy, Academic Honesty Policy, the Final Examination Policy and relevant University Rules. For all approved University policies, procedures, guidelines and schedules visit www.mq.edu.au/policy. |
