James Cook University Subject Handbook - 2021

EV5967 - Policy Development & Strategic Planning - Ridge to Reef

Available to students in the Graduate Diploma of Ridge to Reef Sustainable Development only.

Subject Description

Policy Development & Strategic Planning focuses on developing a working knowledge of the concepts and processes of environmental and regional planning and design. Human perceptions of environments, community participation and the process of designing/planning for an acceptable balance between human use and physical environment are part of this focus. The unit will cover policy formulation, policy analysis, policy implementation, policy evaluation, the formulation of strategic plans, and the roles of different stakeholder groups. Policy formulation with be covered in its four fundamental phases - appraisal, dialogue, formulation and consolidation - while consideration of strategic plan formulation will cover topics from stakeholder consultations to identification of key issues, gaps, opportunities and medium- and long-term outputs. Critical thinking and high-level independent judgement in undertaking various components of the planning process (e.g. planning objectives, environmental assessments, community involvement, report writing) will be emphasised, as will the ability to critically review, analyse and evaluate planning documents and to synthesise and report on them effectively to a variety of audiences.

Learning Outcomes

• Develop specialised working knowledge and advanced comprehension of the main principles of sustainable development including environmental, regional and resource planning
• Critically review, analyse and evaluate planning documents (e.g. site plans and management plans)
• Produce reports that apply knowledge of broader environmental and regional policy
• Select, organise and consolidate complex information based upon advanced comprehension of a body of specialised knowledge and theoretical concepts and to communicate it effectively, accurately, coherently and creatively to varying audiences

Note that minor variations might occur due to the continuous subject quality improvement process, and in case of minor variation(s) in assessment details, the Subject Outline represents the latest official information.

Availabilities