CP6002 — Introduction to Planning
Course Description
The purpose of this course is to introduce students to the planning profession. City planning is a wide-ranging field that contains a number of specific subareas. This course will provide students with an overview of city planning as a discipline and acquaint students with the various subfields that are available for them to pursue while at Georgia Tech. The course will also cover planning ethics and professional planning practice. We will examine several common ethical dilemmas in planning and discuss ways in which planning's code of ethics helps in understanding and interpreting those situations. We will also hear from planning practitioners on issues of career preparation and development.
The Georgia Tech City Planning curriculum currently offers seven planning specializations: economic development, environmental planning and management, geographic information systems, land development, land use, transportation, and urban design. During the semester we will explore each of these specializations. For each specialization we will hear from a current practitioner in that area. These practitioners will provide students with an understanding of the issues and skills pertinent to each area of specialization and will discuss the career paths that are possible in that particular area. This discussion will be followed by a faculty member who will provide students with an overview of the course offering available in each area. Groups of students will be asked to prepare a presentation on issues central to the specialization and subjects for discussion.
As a final product for the course students will be required to prepare a program of study that identifies the core, specialization and elective courses they will take during their Master's program. This program of study will be reviewed and signed by the student's advisor and will become a part of the student's file. This program of study will serve as a road map for future semesters. Subsequent changes to this program of study require approval of the student's advisor and the Program Director.
Required texts
Hoch, Charles J., Linda C. Dalton and Frank S. So 2000. The Practice of Local Government Planning, 3rd Edition, Washington, D.C.: International City/County Management Association.
Barrett, Carol D. 2001. Everyday Ethics for Practicing Planners. Chicago, IL: American Planning Association.
Attendance
Due to the interactive nature of the course and the large number of invited guests, attendance is mandatory and promptness is critical. Please be on time so as not to interrupt their presentations.
Topics to be covered (Approximate number of lectures in parentheses)
Introduction (2)
Overview of Planning Profession
Professional Organizations in Planning
Links Between Our Program and Your Career
Planning Ethics (3)
AICP Code of Ethics
Other Codes of Ethics
Common Planning Ethical Dilemmas
Planning Specializations (7)
GIS
Environmental Planning
Urban Design
Land Use Planning
Land Development
Transportation
Economic Development
Developing Your Academic Plan (1)
Getting a Faculty Advisor
Preparing Your Program of Study
Planning Your Career in Planning (2)
Getting Your First Planning Job and Making the Most Out of It
Charting a Course for Your Career