Bower Studio - Community Development (ABPL90152)

Graduate courseworkPoints: 12.5On Campus (Parkville)

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Overview

Availability(Quotas apply)
November
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This subject will introduce the principles for designing and constructing community based infrastructure. It addresses the effects of both sociological and technical issues and discusses affordability, liveability, environmental impacts, sociality and relationships between community networks and space. The first part of the subject addresses these issues on both a theoretical and case study basis while the second part takes this background material ‘into the field’ to address real life problems via the design studio (and where possible design and construct studios) in Southeast Asia, Papua New Guinea or Australia.

Approximate costs to students:

This subject has fieldwork components that includes travel and accommodation when visiting host communities. Students will be required to cover these costs in addition to purchasing the appropriate safety equipment (work boots, hearing and eye protection, etc.) and presentation materials estimated at $500 per person.

Intended learning outcomes

On completion of this subject, students should be able to:



  • Identify and engage critically with issues of social and environmental sustainability;
  • Demonstrate a critical understanding of the design and construction processes governing community development;
  • Participation in the design and construction of structures in dialogue with local communities.

Generic skills

  • Ability to engage in interdisciplinary work.
  • An understanding of ethical responses to issues.
  • Presentation of projects verbally and graphically.
  • Analysis and synthesis of data.
  • Ability to analyse social and cultural contexts.
  • Spatial analysis.
  • Creative response to complex problems.
  • Ability to work in a cross-cultural design team and to manage group and individual contributions.

Last updated: 4 March 2025

Eligibility and requirements

Prerequisites

Admission into a course at the Melbourne School of Design.

Corequisites

None

Non-allowed subjects

702-450 Sustainable Tropical Housing (UG)

Inherent requirements (core participation requirements)

The University of Melbourne is committed to providing students with reasonable adjustments to assessment and participation under the Disability Standards for Education (2005), and the Assessment and Results Policy (MPF1326). Students are expected to meet the core participation requirements for their course. These can be viewed under Entry and Participation Requirements for the course outlines in the Handbook.

Further details on how to seek academic adjustments can be found on the Student Equity and Disability Support website: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/student-equity/home

Last updated: 4 March 2025

Assessment

DescriptionTimingPercentage

Class participation

Assessed at completion of subject10%

Studio presentation

  • 2000 words (equivalent)
Before fieldwork begins30%

Design proposals, projects and workshop exercises (equivalent to at least 3000 words)

Assessed at completion of subject60%

Last updated: 4 March 2025

Quotas apply to this subject

Dates & times

  • November
    CoordinatorDavid O'Brien
    Mode of deliveryOn Campus (Parkville)
    Contact hoursPre field trip briefing - 4 hours Field trip is approximately 8 days x 8 hours a day Classes after field trip - 2 x half days (8 hours) Final presentation - 5 hours
    Total time commitment170 hours
    Pre teaching start date10 November 2025
    Pre teaching requirementsReading materials will be provided via LMS
    Teaching period24 November 2025 to 13 December 2025
    Last self-enrol date17 October 2025
    Census date28 November 2025
    Last date to withdraw without fail 5 December 2025
    Assessment period ends15 December 2025

Time commitment details

170 hours

What do these dates mean

Visit this webpage to find out about these key dates, including how they impact on:

  • Your tuition fees, academic transcript and statements.
  • And for Commonwealth Supported students, your:
       -  Student Learning Entitlement. This applies to all students enrolled in a Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP).
     

    Subjects withdrawn after the census date (including up to the ‘last day to withdraw without fail’) count toward the Student Learning Entitlement.

Additional delivery details

Quota: 12

This subject is a quota subject and places are limited. Students may provisionally enrol via the Student Portal, but places are not guaranteed until selection is completed. You will be notified in writing by the Student Centre if you are selected.

Selection criteria: Should the number of applications for this subject exceed the number of places available, applicants will be ranked on the basis of a 300 word statement asking them to outline how they see this subject aligning with their broader educational goals. A panel of a minimum of two academic staff members will be involved in the selection process and selection outcomes will be recorded using a matrix of criteria.

For detailed information on the quota subject application process and due dates, refer to the EDSC Quota Subjects webpage: http://edsc.unimelb.edu.au/quota-subjects

Last updated: 4 March 2025

Further information

  • Texts

    Prescribed texts

    There are no specifically prescribed or recommended texts for this subject.

  • Subject notes

    Safety boots, safety glasses and ear muffs are required for workshop activities in this subject (to be provided by the student).

  • Available to Study Abroad and/or Study Exchange Students

    This subject is available to students studying at the University from eligible overseas institutions on exchange and study abroad. Students are required to satisfy any listed requirements, such as pre- and co-requisites, for enrolment in the subject.

Last updated: 4 March 2025