UPD4101 Professional practice 1: Communication and roles
Faculty of Art, Design and Architecture
UPD4101 Professional practice 1: Communication and roles is a level 4, 6-credit-point, postgraduate unit from the Faculty of Art, Design and Architecture, offered in 2026 in Semester 1 at Caulfield. It has no prerequisites.
- Credit points
- 6
- Offered in 2026
- Semester 1
- Caulfield
- Assessment
- No exam
- 3 tasks
This is the 2026 handbook entry. See the 2027 entry.
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Requisites
Before UPD4101
Corequisites
Pass these before, or take them in the same semester.
After UPD4101
No unit lists UPD4101 as a prerequisite in the 2026 handbook.
Enrolment rules
You must be enrolled in the Master of Urban Planning and Design (F6004) or Master of Architecture (F6001).
Overview
This professional practice unit focuses on foundational capabilities and core competencies that contribute to the practice of strategic urban planning and design. You will learn how to synthesise and communicate knowledge and ideas using a range of methods. This unit exposes you to issues around planners' professional abilities, conduct and values, which enable you to communicate effectively and perform ethically in complex urban situations.
Offerings in 2026
| Teaching period | Campus | Mode |
|---|---|---|
| First semester | Caulfield | Flexible |
Assessment
- Presentation25%
- ExercisesExercise25%
- PublicationWritten50%
Assessment details may change. Please refer to the assessment information in Moodle closer to the start of the teaching period.
Learning outcomes
When you finish this unit, you should be able to:
- 1
Develop an understanding of the professional roles and responsibilities of urban planners and designers in shaping the built environment, encompassing the complex and practical dimensions of the field;
- 2
Apply a comprehensive range of skills, including listening, spatial, visual, written and verbal techniques to effectively communicate and convey complex planning and design concepts and ideas;
- 3
Integrate knowledge and skills to synthesise, analyse and evaluate place-based planning and design approaches at a variety of scales;
- 4
Demonstrate collaborative processes and cultivate advanced interpersonal and communication skills in oral, written, and graphic formats to foster cooperation and inclusivity;
- 5
Demonstrate an understanding of the ethical dimensions of planning practices and their implications for stakeholders, communities and regions, recognising their global significance;
- 6
Adapt to evolving challenges in practising and communicating planning and design, seek new knowledge and engage in continuous self-directed learning.
Workload and teaching
- Tutorials36 hours
12 hours per week including 3 contact hours plus 9 hours of independent study, or equivalent.
Contacts
- Chief Examiners
- Dr Suzanne Barker
- Unit Coordinators
- Dr Suzanne Barker
Common questions
What are the prerequisites for UPD4101?
None, but you must take OHS1000 before or alongside it.
When is UPD4101 offered?
In 2026, UPD4101 runs in Semester 1 at Caulfield.
Does UPD4101 have an exam?
No. UPD4101 has 3 assessment tasks and no exam.