Handbook : Unit informationEdith Cowan University

School: Business and Law

This unit information may be updated and amended immediately prior to semester. To ensure you have the correct outline, please check it again at the beginning of semester.

• Unit Title

  Planning Communication and Engagement

• Unit Code

  PLN2802

• Year

  2016

• Enrolment Period

  1

• Version

  1

• Credit Points

  15

• Full Year Unit

  N

• Mode of Delivery

  On Campus
  

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Description

This unit aims to provide students with an understanding of community engagement in the current context of Australian society and spatial decision-making. It is designed to develop student's understanding of the past, current and potential methods engaging the public in civil life, politics and spatial planning. It explores a range of communication options, particularly emerging opportunities and the communication strategies available to planning practitioners.

Learning Outcomes

On completion of this unit students should be able to:

1. Identify and compare community engagement skills and practices in the current context of Australian society and spatial decision-making.
2. Critically analyse historical, contemporary and developing engagement practices within the built environment context
3. Develop a range of communication, negotiation and engagement skills including emerging communication strategies available to planning practitioners
4. Develop work-practice skills with a project client and demonstrate understanding of the project brief
5. Develop critical analysis skills to map community needs, compare appropriate strategies, and communicate recommendations to the client
6. Apply analytical skills of community engagement in the context of a built environment project.

Unit Content

1. The role of social, political and economic structures in planning practice; cross-cultural theory and practice.
2. Planning project methodology.
3. Contemporary community engagement and participation techniques in planning practice.
4. Planning communication skills and practices, communication theory.
5. Negotiation and mediation in the roles of the advocate, expert witness and mentor.
6. Reflective practice covering the theory and implementation of community engagement and communication.

Additional Learning Experience Information

The unit comprises a combination of classroom based lectures and skills development workshops to develop an understanding of the theoretical and practical course material. Students will then have the opportunity to develop and apply community engagement strategies toward a local community based project. The project may include an environmental, spatial, social or business focus and may include partnerships with local government, business, not for profit or local community organisations.

Assessment

GS1 GRADING SCHEMA 1 Used for standard coursework units

Students please note: The marks and grades received by students on assessments may be subject to further moderation. All marks and grades are to be considered provisional until endorsed by the relevant Board of Examiners.

Text References

• Douglass, M. & Friedmann, J. (1997). Cities for citizens: Planning and the rise of civil society in a global age. Chichester: Wiley.
• Healey, P. (2006). Collaborative Planning. 2nd Edition.  Basingstoke, UK: Macmillan
• Nunes Silva, C. (2012). Online research methods in urban and planning studies: Design and outcomes. Hershey, PA: Information Science Reference.
• Sanyal, B., Vale, L. J. & Rosen, C. D. (2012). Planning ideas that matter: liveability, territoriality, governance and reflective practice. Cambridge. Mass: MIT Press.

Journal References

• Emerson, K., Nabatchi, T. & Balogh, S. (2012). 'An integrative framework for collaborative governance'. Journal of Public Administration Research and Theory, 22(1): 1-29.

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