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SLE743 - Regional Development Modelling

Year:	2021 unit information
Important Update:	Unit delivery will continue to be provided in line with the most current COVIDSafe health guidelines. This may include a mix of on-campus and online activities. To find out how you are impacted, please check your unit sites for announcements and updates. Unit sites open one week prior to the start of each Trimester/Semester. Thank you for your flexibility and commitment to studying with Deakin in 2021. _{Last updated: 4 June 2021}
Enrolment modes:	Trimester 2: Burwood (Melbourne), Online
Credit point(s):	1
EFTSL value:	0.125
Unit Chair:	Trimester 2: Robert Faggian
Prerequisite:	Nil
Corequisite:	Nil
Incompatible with:	Nil
Typical study commitment:	Students will on average spend 150 hours over the teaching period undertaking the teaching, learning and assessment activities for this unit.
Scheduled learning activities - campus:	1 x 1 hour class per week, 3 hours per week of problem-based seminars (project exercises).
Scheduled learning activities - cloud:	Learning experiences are via CloudDeakin.

Content

The unit provides students with the opportunities to learn about Geographical Information Science (GIS), spatial analysis and modelling techniques to support decision-making for better guidance of regional and rural development through integration of social, economic and physical factors. A participatory, modelling approach that mixes data analysis with expert knowledge is introduced through the application of multi-criteria evaluation (MCE) and Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) techniques. Topics also include forecasting of climate change and its effects on agriculture. Students are introduced to scenario modelling and forecasting and will provide the opportunity for students to develop an understanding of the importance of context and futures planning when thinking about complex real-world regional development problems.

Rather than try to turn students into experts, this unit makes a start by showing how to use GIS and spatial analysis where necessary, thereby enabling participants to ultimately become experts in the future through further practice. Emphasis is on the application of the techniques in several hands-on tutorial/project exercises which address various regional development issues. Students may select a project relating to regional issues in her/his own country (Australia or overseas).

After undertaking this unit students will be able to select and apply techniques for pursuing spatial analysis and modelling of the kind that practically supports decision making and policy generation within any regional, rural authority.

Presentation is organised around explanations of various applied spatial and modelling techniques within a holistic approach towards regional development, and GIS is employed as a major implementing platform for such techniques.

ULO	These are the Learning Outcomes (ULO) for this unit. At the completion of this unit, successful students can:	Deakin Graduate Learning Outcomes
ULO1	Present by using maps which focus on a particular situation of a region.	GLO1: Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities GLO2: Communication GLO3: Digital literacy
ULO2	Analyse and address regional, land-development issues which incorporate various socio economic and physical factors, through application of selected spatial modelling and multi-criteria evaluation techniques.	GLO1: Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities GLO4: Critical thinking GLO5: Problem solving
ULO3	Perform more effective spatial allocation of land uses using optimisation techniques	GLO1: Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities GLO3: Digital literacy GLO4: Critical thinking GLO5: Problem solving
ULO4	Create future scenarios and study the effects of climatic factors upon agriculture	GLO1: Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities
ULO5	Pursue project which uses suitable spatial and modelling techniques to address a selected, real-world regional issue within Australia or overseas.	GLO1: Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities GLO2: Communication GLO4: Critical thinking GLO5: Problem solving
ULO6	Make decisions for regional and rural development and thereby demonstrate an understanding of how to sensibly use spatial and modelling techniques.	GLO1: Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities GLO3: Digital literacy GLO4: Critical thinking GLO6: Self-management

These Unit Learning Outcomes are applicable for all teaching periods throughout the year

Assessment

Assessment Description	Student output	Weighting (% total mark for unit)	Indicative due week
Maps	Developing maps using GIS software (6 maps)	30% (6 x 5%)	Weeks 2-7
Foresight report (group)	Collaborative written report, 10- 12 pages	30%	Week 9
Final project report (group)	Project report (approximately 50-A4 pages)	40%	Week 11

The assessment due weeks provided may change. The Unit Chair will clarify the exact assessment requirements, including the due date, at the start of the teaching period.

Learning Resource

The texts and reading list for the unit can be found on the University Library via the link below: SLE743 Note: Select the relevant trimester reading list. Please note that a future teaching period's reading list may not be available until a month prior to the start of that teaching period so you may wish to use the relevant trimester's prior year reading list as a guide only.

Unit Fee Information

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