Course Outline

ENP470 Planning Project

Course Coordinator:Silvia Tavares (stavares@usc.edu.au) School:School of Law and Society

2024Semester 1

UniSC Sunshine Coast

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 usc.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 enables you to work on an individual research project. You will apply planning knowledge and skills learned in the previous years to define the research problem, undertake a literature review, do some field research and develop options to solve a planning problem. The research needs to be presented in an individual report.

How will this course be delivered?

Activity Hours Beginning Week Frequency
Blended learning
Learning materials – Learning materials will be made available one week in advance, they may include formative quizzes, readings, short videos, podcasts, other interactive exercises. 1hr Week 1 11 times
Tutorial/Workshop 1 – Face-to-face tutorials based on exercises and discussions focused on the assignments students need to complete in preparation for their honours thesis. 2hrs Week 1 11 times

Course Topics

Planning and undertaking a research project, inlcuding defining the problem, undertaking a literature review and field research, developing options to solve a planning problem.

Application of planning knowledge and skills.

Research-related human ethics considerations.

Writing a research report. 

What level is this course?

400 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?

24 units (taught over 2 delivery periods)

How does this course contribute to my learning?

Course Learning Outcomes On successful completion of this course, you should be able to... Graduate Qualities Mapping Completing these tasks successfully will contribute to you becoming... Professional Standard Mapping * Competencies from multiple Professional Bodies (see below) *
1 Identify how research can contribute to planning theory and practice. Creative and critical thinker
Empowered
1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.4, 1.5, 1.6, 1.7, 1.8, 1.11, 11, 11.1, 11.2, 11.3
2 Justify how research process including proposed research methods contributes to solving a planning problem. Knowledgeable
Sustainability-focussed
1, 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.4, 1.5, 1.6, 1.7, 1.8
3 Critically analyse literature and use theoretical concepts and empirical data to justify research need, methods, and contribution. Knowledgeable
Creative and critical thinker
Engaged
1, 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.4, 1.5, 1.6, 1.7, 1.8
4 Undertake data gathering according to well-developed methods appropriate to your research question. Creative and critical thinker
Empowered
Engaged

                                    
5 Presentation of comprehensive research report. Knowledgeable
Creative and critical thinker
Empowered
1, 1.4, 1.5, 1.6, 1.7, 1.8

* Competencies by Professional Body

CODE COMPETENCY
Planning Institute of Australia
1 Generic Capabilities and Competencies
1.1 Recognise the need for, locate and be able to use credible information to develop new skills and knowledge
1.2 Perform critical analysis and synthesis
1.3 Develop and evaluate arguments
1.4 Apply creative thinking processes to complex problems
1.5 Make meaningful new connections between challenging, contradictory or unlikely elements
1.6 Think strategically and apply planning concepts, skills and knowledge in a range of spatial settings
1.7 Write and present with clarity, cohesion, logic, structure, relevance, accuracy and precision of expression in a range of contexts
1.8 Effectively use voice, body-language, structure, word choice, graphics, and presentation technologies, across a range of media, appropriate to the knowledge base and cultural background of the audience
1.11 Awareness of challenges and opportunities posed by operating in diverse and globally oriented settings
Education for Sustainable Development Goals
11 Sustainable Cities and Communities: Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable
11.1 Cognitive learning objectives for “Sustainable Cities and Communities”
11.2 Socio-emotional learning objectives for “Sustainable Cities and Communities”
11.3 Behavioural learning objectives for “Sustainable Cities and Communities”

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

ENP355 and ENP336 and ENP365 and ENP311 and SCS225 and enrolled in Program AR404 or AR406

Co-requisites

Not applicable

Anti-requisites

Not applicable

Specific assumed prior knowledge and skills (where applicable)

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. Tutorials will include extended discussion and review of the assessment task requirements and scope.

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 1a Written Piece Individual 25%
4000 words (+/- 10%), not including reference list.
Delivery Period 1 - Week 7 Online Assignment Submission with plagiarism check
All 1b Oral Individual 10%
5-10 minutes
Delivery Period 1 - Week 8 In Class
All 1c Written Piece Individual 15%
All documents required for ethics approval
Delivery Period 1 - Week 12 Online Submission
All 2a Practical / Laboratory Skills Individual 5%
1000-1500 word chapter
Delivery Period 2 - Week 8 Online Assignment Submission with plagiarism check
All 2b Written Piece Individual 35%
7,000-10,000 words (the word count does not include the reference list).
Delivery Period 2 - Week 13 Online Submission
All 2c Oral Individual 10%
3 to 8 minutes
Delivery Period 2 - Week 13 Online Assignment Submission with plagiarism check
All - Assessment Task 1a:Project proposal
Goal:
To prepare a project proposal for the Honours thesis. This document should present a problem statement, research question(s), literature review, research methodology, expected outcomes and a schedule for the completion of the project.
Product: Written Piece
Format:
Written piece.
Criteria:
No. Learning Outcome assessed
1
Topic background and study justification
1 2 3
2
Knowledge of the literature (from academic and practice-based sources) and identification of research gap
1 2 3
3
Knowledge of and support for chosen methods of data collection and analysis
2 3
4
Use of relevant referencing
3
5
Timeline of the study
4 5
All - Assessment Task 1b:Project Presentation
Goal:
To present and receive feedback on your research proposal.
Product: Oral
Format:
Oral presentation
Criteria:
No. Learning Outcome assessed
1
Clarity of presentation
1 2 3
All - Assessment Task 1c:Human Research Ethics application
Goal:
To prepare and submit Human Research Ethics application that allows you to undertake research involving human participants - e.g. interviews and surveys.
Product: Written Piece
Format:
Written - based on ethics forms and appendices.
Criteria:
No. Learning Outcome assessed
1
Submission of Human Research Ethics application after peer-review process
2 3
All - Assessment Task 2a:Fieldwork
Goal:
To carry out fieldwork, gathering data to support analysis
Product: Practical / Laboratory Skills
Format:
You will undertake fieldwork relevant to the research questions to be answered to produce a 1000-1500 word chapter about the data you have collected.
Criteria:
No. Learning Outcome assessed
1
Explanation and justification of methods of data collection
1 2 3
2
Key insights about your research topic that emerged while collecting the data
2 4
3
Reflection on what has worked and what could be improved
1 3
4
Use of relevant referencing
1 2 3
All - Assessment Task 2b:Honours thesis
Goal:
You are to write an Honours thesis which provides suggestions for improving the planning issue dealt
with in the research across both semesters.
Product: Written Piece
Format:
The Honours thesis must present: introduction (including research aims and questions); literature review, methodology, results, discussion and concludions.
Criteria:
No. Learning Outcome assessed
1
Thesis structure and referencing: Coherent, sequential, logical development of ideas, discussions and conclusions; and appropriate use of academic referencing
1 2 3 5
2
Literature review: Knowledge of relevant literature from academic and practice-based sources
1 3 5
3
Methodology: Justification of the methods adopted in relation to the research questions
1 2 3 5
4
Results and discussion: Ability to clearly present the results of the research and discuss the implications of the key findings
1 3 5
5
Conclusion: Presentation of the contribution of the project for Urban Design and/or Town Planning theory and practice
1 3 5
All - Assessment Task 2c:Final thesis presentation
Goal:
To present the final thesis.
Product: Oral
Format:
Powerpoint presentation
Criteria:
No. Learning Outcome assessed
1
Structure of presentation
5
2
Clarity of key ideas, procedures and outcomes
1 2 3 5
3
Visual quality: Use of illustrations and images
5

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.

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

Not applicable

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:

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 submission of assessment tasks will be penalised at the following maximum rate:

5% (of the assessment task’s identified value) per day for the first two days from the date identified as the due date for the assessment task
10% (of the assessment task’s identified value) for the third day
20% (of the assessment task’s identified value) for the fourth day and subsequent days up to and including seven days from the date identified as the due date for the assessment task
A result of zero is awarded for an assessment task submitted seven days from the date identified as the due date for the assessment task.
Weekdays and weekends are included in the calculation of days late.

To request an extension, you must contact your Course Coordinator and supply the required documentation to negotiate an outcome.

SafeUniSC

UniSC is committed to a culture of respect and providing a safe and supportive environment for all members of our community. For immediate assistance on campus contact SafeUniSC by phone: 07 5430 1168 or using the SafeZone app. For general enquires contact the SafeUniSC team by phone 07 5456 3864 or email safe@usc.edu.au.

The SafeUniSC Specialist Service is a Student Wellbeing service that provides free and confidential support to students who may have experienced or observed behaviour that could cause fear, offence or trauma. To contact the service call 07 5430 1226 or email studentwellbeing@usc.edu.au.

Study help

For help with course-specific advice, for example what information to include in your assessment, you should first contact your tutor, then your course coordinator, if needed.

If you require additional assistance, the Learning Advisers are trained professionals who are ready to help you develop a wide range of academic skills. Visit the Learning Advisers web page for more information, or contact Student Central for further assistance: +61 7 5430 2890 or studentcentral@usc.edu.au.

Wellbeing Services

Student Wellbeing provide free and confidential counselling on a wide range of personal, academic, social and psychological matters, to foster positive mental health and wellbeing for your academic success.

To book a confidential appointment go to Student Hub, email studentwellbeing@usc.edu.au or call 07 5430 1226.

AccessAbility Services

Ability Advisers ensure equal access to all aspects of university life. If your studies are affected by a disability, learning disorder mental health issue, injury or illness, or you are a primary carer for someone with a disability or who is considered frail and aged, AccessAbility Services can provide access to appropriate reasonable adjustments and practical advice about the support and facilities available to you throughout the University.

To book a confidential appointment go to Student Hub, email AccessAbility@usc.edu.au or call 07 5430 2890.

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

  • In person:
    • UniSC Sunshine Coast - Student Central, Ground Floor, Building C, 90 Sippy Downs Drive, Sippy Downs
    • UniSC Moreton Bay - Service Centre, Ground Floor, Foundation Building, Gympie Road, Petrie
    • UniSC SouthBank - Student Central, Building A4 (SW1), 52 Merivale Street, South Brisbane
    • UniSC Gympie - Student Central, 71 Cartwright Road, Gympie
    • UniSC Fraser Coast - Student Central, Student Central, Building A, 161 Old Maryborough Rd, Hervey Bay
    • UniSC Caboolture - Student Central, Level 1 Building J, Cnr Manley and Tallon Street, Caboolture
  • Tel:+61 7 5430 2890
  • Email:studentcentral@usc.edu.au