Master of Economic and Regional Development

This course combines economic analysis with studies in specific community/regional development and will prepare you to work in either urban or rural contexts.

It will cater for domestic and international students either already employed in such development or wishing to seek a career in this field.

Course Aims

The Master of Economic and Regional Development at UNE is designed to provide students with an advanced body of knowledge and skills in economics that can be applied in an interdisciplinary approach in dealing with regional and community development issues.

Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this course, students will be able to: understand and critically apply advanced economic and other relevant disciplinary concepts to regional and community development in developed and/or developing countries with a particular focus on the Asia Pacific region; demonstrate knowledge of research principles and methods applicable to economic and regional development; apply an interdisciplinary approach in the design, management and evaluation of community-based development projects in regional and international contexts; produce scholarly reports or a thesis which demonstrate an understanding and application of skills in different themes of regional and community development; and apply knowledge and skills to real issues facing communities and rural regions, and inform policy making bodies about regional and community development in developed and/or developing countries.

Graduate Attributes

Knowledge of a Discipline An advanced body of knowledge of different disciplines is central to this course. The course will provide students with an opportunity to learn core concepts in economics, rural, urban and regional development, peace, Asian and Indigenous studies. These concepts will be taught through lectures, readings and online components and will be assessed through various types of assessments such as assignments, examinations and report writing. Communication Skills In this course, students will develop, enhance and promote effective communication skills. These will be taught, practised and assessed in various units within the course. Students are expected to articulate knowledge in different schools of thought through activities such as assignment and report writing and oral discourse. Students will also participate in online discussions with different stakeholders. The Master of Economic and Regional Development course offers students the opportunity to apply knowledge and skills in a real-world context. One of the key focus areas is the interdisciplinary approach to community development in regional and international contexts. Understanding of contemporary issues in regional and global scenes will be demonstrated in unit assessments. Problem Solving Students apply their skills on information literacy, knowledge of the discipline and understanding of development issues in order to promote, discuss and advocate key concepts within the course. Students will be assessed in essays and assignments. Information Literacy Students will be taught and assessed on skills to examine, analyse and interpret data and information in development contexts. Students will acquire information through different forms of media and use this in the framework stipulated in different areas of study within the course. Ethical Conduct and Social Responsibility The Master of Economic and Regional Development course requires an understanding of various development-related problems. Students are taught the importance of acknowledging and understanding the cultural, ethical, economic, legal and social dimensions of these issues. They practise this attribute in essays and assignments. Lifelong Learning The Master of Economic and Regional Development course offers students the opportunity to develop and enhance both theoretical and practical skills in the context of community and regional development. Students are taught and assessed on this knowledge in different areas of advocacy through essays and assignments. Independence and Collaboration Students work independently throughout the course. Teamwork is taught and observed in different units within the course which further develop and enhance the ability of students to take responsibility of personal outputs and participate in discipline-based activities and forums. Students are expected to engage in group discussions, both in-class and in the online environment.