Monash University Handbook 2010 Postgraduate - Course

The Master in Regional and Community Development embodies an explicit commitment to people and place, to social justice, human rights and a sustainable environment. It will equip students with the skills to understand governance issues and undertake participatory planning and research in local, state, national and international public and private sector organisations. Its educational approaches and outcomes will contribute to increased participation in the formation of socially and ecologically sustainable communities and places through an understanding of the strategic importance to public and private sector organisations of community and place.

On the successful completion of the course, students should be able to:

• demonstrate a sound knowledge of contemporary issues and practice in regional and community development in a global context
• understand the principles and models of participatory planning in organisational and community contexts
• reflect on their community development practice in order to develop a participatory approach informed by social justice and ecological sustainability
• demonstrate capacity to work towards the involvement of diverse (and often subjugated/disadvantaged) sectors within the community
• design and implement an action research proposal for community engagement.

Students are required to successfully complete one of the following three options:

• Option 1: two 12-point core units plus 48 points of approved electives drawn from existing arts or education units, or by approval of the course coordinator
• Option 2: two 12-point core units plus two electives and two 12-point research units
• Option 3: two 12-point core units plus one elective and one 12-point research methods unit and a 24-point research dissertation.

All units are 12 points unless otherwise indicated.

Option 1

First year

• EDF6806 Sustainable community development*
• SCD4301 Participatory planning: Local, national and international perspectives*

Second year

• two elective units from approved electives

Third year

• two elective units from approved electives

Option 2

First year

• EDF6806 Sustainable community development*
• SCD4301 Participatory planning: Local, national and international perspectives*

Second year

• two elective units from approved electives

Third year

• EDF6007 Qualitative approaches to research or SCD5305 Research methods
• EDF6010 Professional project A or EDF6020 Professional project B or SCD5301 Research practicum

Option 3

First year

• EDF6806 Sustainable community development*
• SCD4301 Participatory planning: Local, national and international perspectives*

Second year

• elective unit from approved electives
• EDF6007 Qualitative approaches to research or SCD5305 Research methods

Third year

One of:

• EDF6031 Masters thesis part 1 and EDF6032 Masters thesis part 2 or SCD5302 Research Practicum (24 points)

* Core units.

** Students taking the 24 points of electives option will be required to take either EDF6007 or SCD5305 as a pre-requisite.

Students obtaining at least a credit average can exit:

• after 24 points of study with a Graduate Certificate of Regional and Community Development
• after 48 points of study with a Graduate Diploma of Regional and Community Development.

Master in Regional and Community Development