Global Utilities

La Trobe University
University Handbook 2013

Bachelor of Community Development

Course code/s: ABCD

This innovative course provides students with the knowledge, skills and capabilities to be leaders in community development. With a focus on working in cities, regional towns and with rural communities this course can provide the basis for a career in this field anywhere in Australia or overseas. This course is designed to meet the growing demand from federal and state governments, public organisations, local governments, health and service providers, non-government bodies and businesses for people who understand and can work effectively with communities. Employers are looking for people with skills to play key management roles, apply research, communicate with communities, critically assess options and develop and implement projects in this expanding field. A particular feature of the degree is that it includes the opportunity for participation in actual projects in the community and fieldwork involving community planning and development initiatives and projects. Professional work experience credited as a subject is an option in the final year of the degree.

Course structure 

First year (120 credit points)

Semester 1
Teaching period Subject name Subject code
TE-SEM-1 Introduction to Sociology (Core) SOC1SAC
TE-SEM-1 Understanding Communities: Introduction to Community Development (core) PLA1UNC
TE-SEM-1 Global Migration Stories (Core) HIS1GMS
  AND EITHER  
TE-SEM-1 Macroeconomics ECO1IMA
  OR  
TE-SEM-1 Foundations of Management MGT1FOM
Semester 2
Teaching period subject name Subject code
TE-SEM-2 Australian Politics: Government and Society (Core) POL1AUP
TE-SEM-2 Climate, Sustainability and Society (Core) ENV1CSS
TE-SEM-2 Society, People and Place (core) GEG1SPP
  AND EITHER  
TE-SEM-2 Microeconomics ECO1IMI
  OR  
TE-SEM-2 Another subject approved by program coordinator  

Second year (120 credit points)

Semester 1
Teaching period Subject name Subject code
TE-SEM-1 Community Development Research Project (Core) PLA2CDR
TE-SEM-1 Social Research Methods (core) SOC2MSR
TE-SEM-1 Asian Pacific Cities (Core) SOC2APC
  OR  
TE-SEM-1 Australian Cities and Regions SOC2ACR
  AND  
TE-SEM-1 One elective subject from list A below  
Semester 2
Teaching period Subject name Subject code
TE-SEM-2 Sociology of Communities SOC2COM
  OR  
TE-SEM-2 Landscape and Cultural Heritage SOC2LL
  AND EITHER  
TE-SEM-2 Local and Regional Economic Development PLA2RED
  OR  
TE-SEM-2 Rural and Regional Planning PLA2RRP
  AND EITHER  
TE-SEM-2 Culture, Space and Place PLA2CSP
  AND  
TE-SEM-2 One elective subject from list A below  

 List A subjects

Teaching period Subject name Subject code
TE-SEM-1 Community and History: Creating Stories of People and Place HIS2CHA
TE-SEM-1 Globalisation and Regional Business MGT2GRB
TE-SEM-1 Regional Catchment Studies: Resources or Management OED2RCS
TE-SEM-2 Changing Cities: From Industrial to Modern HIS2URB
TE-SEM-2 Encountering Aboriginal Victoria ABS2EAV
TE-SEM-2 Environmental Law LST2EL
TE-SEM-2 Government and the Economy ECO2GE
TE-SEM-2 Nature, Conservation and Society (online) SOC2SOE
TE-SEM-2 Political Ideologies POL2PI

Third year (120 credit points)

Please note, if a subject has been completed at second year level, it cannot be taken at third year level.
Semester 1
Teaching period Subject name Subject code
TE-SEM-1 Community Development PLA3CD
TE-SEM-1 Community Development Internship (Core) (new in 2014) PLA3CDI
  AND EITHER
TE-SEM-1 Asian Pacific Cities SOC3APC
  OR  
TE-SEM-1 Australian Cities and Regions SOC3ACR
  AND  
TE-SEM-1 One elective subject from list A below  
Semester 2
TE-SEM-2 Sociology of Communities SOC3COM
  OR  
TE-SEM-2 Landscape and Cultural Heritage SOC3LL
  AND EITHER  
TE-SEM-2 Local and Regional Economic Development PLA3RED
  OR  
  Rural and Regional Planning PLA3RRP
TE-SEM-2 One elective subject from list B  

List B Subjects

Please note, if a subject has been completed at second year level, it cannot be taken at third year level.
Teaching period Subject name Subject code
TE-SEM-1 Globalisation and Regional Business MGT2GRB
TE-SEM-1 Public History and Museums HIS3PHM
TE-SEM-1 Regional Catchment Studies: Resources or Management OED2RCS
TE-SEM-2 Changing Cities: From Industrial to Modern HIS3URB
TE-SEM-2 Climate Futures PLA3CFD
TE-SEM-2 Comparative Economic Systems ECO3CES
TE-SEM-2 Environmental Law LST2EL
TE-SEM-2 Government and the Economy ECO2GE
TE-SEM-2 Interpersonal Skills and Conflict Management MGT3ISC
TE-SEM-2 Nature, Conservation and Society (online) SOC3SOE
TE-SEM-2 Political Ideologies POL3PI

 For further information please contact Debra Amarant at the Bendigo campus on 03 5444 7225 or by email d.amarant@latrobe.edu.au