Teaching and learning responses to a new professional degree : the case of the Bachelor of Planning, Macquarie University

First offered in 2008, Macquarie University's Bachelor of Planning offers an interdisciplinary social and environmental orientation to planning which seeks to differentiate itself from more traditional programs which focus more on urban design and architecture. Delivered from a board social science basis, the planning program seeks to build on existing University strengths in urban studies, to integrate economic, social, environmental and cultural dimensions of planning and urban management. As part of the program, in addition to a set of core planning subjects, students are required to enrol in a number of elective units ranging from Demography to Development Studies. While this degree structure offers students a firm foundation in the social sciences, it simultaneously present a challenge to teaching staff in these elective courses ncreasingly required to teach and assess planning students. This diverse set of units also represents a challenge to students trying to complete their qualifications and develop appropriate skills for their future lives as planners. This paper explores the opinions and experiences of students over the implementation of the Macquarie University Bachelor of Planning. Emphasis is placed on the learning and teaching challenges and responses obvious in the early stages of the degree.28 page(s