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Course Outline

ENP365 Participation and Conflict Resolution

Course Coordinator:Greg Mews (gmews@usc.edu.au) School:School of Law and Society

2026Trimester 2

UniSC Sunshine Coast

UniSC Moreton Bay

 Blended learning Most of your course is on campus but you may be able to do some components of this course online.

Please go to unisc.edu.au for up to date information on the
teaching sessions and campuses where this course is usually offered.

What is this course about?

Description

This course provides a theoretical basis, case studies, and practical skills in participatory decision-making. This course support fields of planning, health, engineering and environmental professionals who regularly organise and lead participatory decision-making processes at various levels within institutions and between public and private institutions, and the general public. Professional skills such as facilitation, consultation, participation and negotiation are required in a range of contexts including management, collaborative planning, decision-making; policy development and strategic planning; resolving multi-party differences, and compliance.

How will this course be delivered?

Activity Hours Beginning Week Frequency
Blended learning
Tutorial/Workshop 1 – The course is provided in two intensive sessions: Tute #1 is 3 days x 6 hours each in Orientation week on Participation and engagement processes. 18hrs Orientation week Once Only
Tutorial/Workshop 2 – The course is provided in two intensive sessions: Tute#2 is 3 days x 6 hours each in mid-trimester break on Conflict resolution 18hrs Break week Once Only

Course Topics

community and stakeholder engagement and participation

facilitation, collaborative planning

group decision-making

negotiation and conflict resolution

intensive face to face experience

What level is this course?

300 Level (Graduate)

Demonstrating coherence and breadth or depth of knowledge and skills. Independent application of knowledge and skills in unfamiliar contexts. Meeting professional requirements and AQF descriptors for the degree. May require pre-requisites where discipline specific introductory or developing knowledge or skills is necessary. Normally undertaken in the third or fourth full-time study year of an undergraduate program.

What is the unit value of this course?

12 units

How does this course contribute to my learning?

Course Learning Outcomes On successful completion of this course, you should be able to... Graduate Qualities Completing these tasks successfully will contribute to you becoming...
1 Apply relevant urban and regional planning (including environment and health) methodologies in the formation of a stakeholder consultation plan Knowledgeable
Engaged
2 Facilitate and participate in group consultation practices. Effectively use voice, body-language, structure, word choice, graphics, and presentation technology appropriate to the audience. Work effectively as a team member. Knowledgeable
Empowered
Engaged
3 Communicate and demonstrate equity, professional practice ethics and consideration of future generations Knowledgeable
Ethical
Sustainability-focussed
4 Explain and describe relevant aspects of sources of conflict and methods of conflict resolution in the planning and environment context Knowledgeable
Empowered
Ethical
Engaged
5 Demonstrate critical analysis of conflict and problem-solving skills in relation to conflict resolution through scenarios/case studies and role plays Creative and critical thinker
Empowered
Ethical
Engaged

Am I eligible to enrol in this course?

Refer to the UniSC Glossary of terms for definitions of “pre-requisites, co-requisites and anti-requisites”.

Pre-requisites

Not applicable

Co-requisites

Not applicable

Anti-requisites

Not applicable

Specific assumed prior knowledge and skills (where applicable)

Not applicable

Microcredential Information

Not applicable

How am I going to be assessed?

Grading Scale

Standard Grading (GRD)

High Distinction (HD), Distinction (DN), Credit (CR), Pass (PS), Fail (FL).

Details of early feedback on progress

Timely and detailed feedback is provided for each assessment. Feedback is provided both within text and general comments to build scholarly skills. Students are able to seek feedback through face-to-face discussion with the course coordinator. Mandatory face-to-face tutorials will include extended discussion and review of the assessment task requirements.

Assessment tasks

Delivery mode Task No. Assessment Product Individual or Group Weighting % What is the duration / length? When should I submit? Where should I submit it?
All 1 Report Group 40% 
3000 words
 Week 8 Online Submission
All 2 Oral Group 20% 
10 minute presentation, 5 minutes for questions
 Week 8 In Class
All 3 Report Individual 40% 
2500 words
 Refer to Format Online Submission
All - Assessment Task 1:Stakeholder analysis and consultation plan-report
Goal: 
The class will either undertake and/or evaluate a participation exercise on a project provided at beginning of trimester. The goal is to undertake a stakeholder analysis and consultation plan that illustrates how the purpose of consultation will be met and/or was met, through consideration of diverse stakeholders' views and information.
Then, to engage with a group external to the university to identify their views, values and information pertinent to a planning project. In project teams of 3, you will organise and carry out consultation with one or more identified stakeholder groups, document and analyse input to a planning project and prepare a report evaluating the process used and outcomes of consultation.
Product: Report
Authorship Statement:
Format: 
Report with graphs and tables. The report is to include a discussion on project team dynamics referring to concepts introduced in the course. Group report in two parts: A. Consultation project; B: Team dynamics. Note: Assessment task 2 directly builds on Part A of Task 1.
Criteria:
No. Learning Outcome assessed
1 
Explanation of process and outcomes of consultation demonstrating organisation skills
and good practice communication with stakeholder group.
 1 2 3
2 
Consultation process ensured incorporation of community values and cultural, gender
and multi-generational diversity and equity.
 1 2 3
3 
Critical analysis of project team dynamics illustrating commitment to shared goals, team
processes and appropriate interpersonal skills, including respect, reliability, mutual
supportiveness and time management.
 2 3
4 
Communicate findings with clarity, cohesion, logic, structure, relevance, accuracy and
precision of expression.
 2 3
Generic Skills: 
Communication, Collaboration, Problem solving, Organisation, Applying technologies, Information literacy
All - Assessment Task 2:Presentation on group consultation
Goal: 
​Each project team will provide a compelling presentation summarising the outcomes of consultation
Product: Oral
Authorship Statement:
Format: 
Oral and visual presentation on group consultation, building on Part A of Task 1.
Criteria:
No. Learning Outcome assessed
1 
Demonstration of communication and organisation skills in presentation through
quality, structure, and graphics.
 1 2 3
Generic Skills: 
Communication, Collaboration, Problem solving, Organisation, Applying technologies, Information literacy
All - Assessment Task 3:Conflict analysis of a case study
Goal: 
To analyse the source and components of a planning and/or environmental conflict and critically assess how to resolve it. Describe the project and source of conflict; parties to the dispute and their issues and interests; and identify techniques used or recommended to resolve the conflict. Reference should be made to concepts and literature included in this course. 

Note: Those students enrolled in other degrees than Planning need to select a case-study relevant to their discipline. All students should confirm with the course coordinator that their topic is suitable.
Product: Report
Authorship Statement:
Format: 
Standard planning report format. Refer to Canvas for further information.
Criteria:
No. Learning Outcome assessed
1 
Demonstration of critical analysis of the conflict and issues/interests of the parties
 4 5
2 
Evidence of understanding and application of conflict resolution concepts identified in readings
 4 5
3 
Quality of written communication
 3 4
Generic Skills: 
Communication, Problem solving, Organisation

Directed study hours

A 12-unit course will have total of 150 learning hours which will include directed study hours (including online if required), self-directed learning and completion of assessable tasks. Student workload is calculated at 12.5 learning hours per one unit.

Schedule

Period and Topic Activities 
Orientation week: Participation
 
During this mandatory face-to-face experience a range of interactive learner experiences will take place and can include ice-breakers, research, group discussion, critical inquiries into course material, co-design of a simulated participation process framed around a practice case study, oral and visual presentation skills and teamwork.
 
trimester break week: Conflict resolution
 
During this mandatory face-to-face experience a range of interactive learner experiences will take place and can include ice-breaker, research, simulation & role play around a practice case study, group discussions, oral and visual presentation.

What resources do I need to undertake this course?

Please note: Course information, including specific information of recommended readings, learning activities, resources, weekly readings, etc. are available on the course Canvas site– Please log in as soon as possible.

Prescribed text(s) or course reader

There are no required/recommended resources for this course.

Specific requirements

Lists of required and recommended readings may be found for this course on the Canvas site. These materials/readings will assist you in preparing for tutorials and assignments, and will provide further information regarding particular aspects of your course.

How are risks managed in this course?

Health and safety risks for this course have been assessed as low. It is your responsibility to review course material, search online, discuss with lecturers and peers and understand the health and safety risks associated with your specific course of study and to familiarise yourself with the University’s general health and safety principles by reviewing the online induction training for students, and following the instructions of the University staff.

What administrative information is relevant to this course?

Assessment: Academic Integrity

Academic integrity is the ethical standard of university participation. It ensures that students graduate as a result of proving they are competent in their discipline. This is integral in maintaining the value of academic qualifications. Each industry has expectations and standards of the skills and knowledge within that discipline and these are reflected in assessment.

Academic integrity means that you do not engage in any activity that is considered to be academic fraud; including plagiarism, collusion or outsourcing any part of any assessment item to any other person. You are expected to be honest and ethical by completing all work yourself and indicating in your work which ideas and information were developed by you and which were taken from others. You cannot provide your assessment work to others. You are also expected to provide evidence of wide and critical reading, usually by using appropriate academic references.

In order to minimise incidents of academic fraud, this course may require that some of its assessment tasks, when submitted to Canvas, are electronically checked through Turnitin. This software allows for text comparisons to be made between your submitted assessment item and all other work to which Turnitin has access.

Assessment: Additional Requirements

Eligibility for Supplementary Assessment

Your eligibility for supplementary assessment in a course is dependent of the following conditions applying:
(a) The final mark is in the percentage range 47% to 49.4%; and
(b) The course is graded using the Standard Grading scale

Eligibility for Supplementary Assessment Your eligibility for supplementary assessment in a course is dependent of the following conditions applying: The final mark is in the percentage range 47% to 49.4% The course is graded using the Standard Grading scale You have not failed an assessment task in the course due to academic misconduct

Assessment: Submission penalties

Late submissions may be penalised up to and including the following maximum percentage of the assessment task’s identified value, with weekdays and weekends included in the calculation of days late:
(a) One day: deduct 5%;
(b) Two days: deduct 10%;
(c) Three days: deduct 20%;
(d) Four days: deduct 40%;
(e) Five days: deduct 60%;
(f) Six days: deduct 80%;
(g) Seven days: A result of zero is awarded for the assessment task.

The following penalties will apply for a late submission for an online examination:
Less than 15 minutes: No penalty
From 15 minutes to 30 minutes: 20% penalty
More than 30 minutes: 100% penalty

Links to relevant University policy and procedures

For more information on Academic Learning & Teaching categories including:

  • Assessment: Courses and Coursework Programs
  • Review of Assessment and Final Grades
  • Supplementary Assessment
  • Central Examinations
  • Deferred Examinations
  • Student Conduct
  • Students with a Disability

For more information, visit https://www.usc.edu.au/explore/policies-and-procedures#academic-learning-and-teaching

Student Charter

UniSC is committed to excellence in teaching, research and engagement in an environment that is inclusive, inspiring, safe and respectful. The Student Charter sets out what students can expect from the University, and what in turn is expected of students, to achieve these outcomes.

General Enquiries

For course-specific questions, contact your teaching staff or Course Coordinator.  

For other enquiries or to access support, please contact Student Central: 

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