General Information

Unit convenor and teaching staff	Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit Convenor Wendy Goldstein wendy.goldstein@mq.edu.au Contact via wendy.goldstein@mq.edu.au E8A 372 Open: By appointment
Credit points	Credit points 4
Prerequisites	Prerequisites Admission to MEnvEd or PGDipEnvEd or PGCertEnvEd or MEngMgt or MEnvMgt or PGCertEnvMgt or MEnvStud or PGDipEnvStud or MSusDev or PGDipSusDev or PGCertSusDev or MEnvPlan or MDevCult or PGDipDevCult or MIntRel or MEnv or PGDipEnv or PGCertEnv or MPP or PGDipPP or MSc in (Environmental Health or Remote Sensing and GIS) or PGDipSc in (Environmental Health or Remote Sensing and GIS) or PGCertSc in (Environmental Health or Remote Sensing and GIS) or MSocEntre or PGCertSocEntre
Corequisites	Corequisites
Co-badged status	Co-badged status
Unit description	Unit description This unit examines the origins, issues, policies, principles and processes of sustainable development (SD) and the international fora that drive the sustainable development agenda. The unit requires students to explore the global and national debates surrounding SD, analyse these and formulate and substantiate their own views. Students are engaged in a process of identifying how sustainable development principles are interpreted in practice in different sectors including in national frameworks, local government and business. Students undertake research with community groups on their concept of and views of progress on sustainable development. The unit involves the students in analysis of the ideological and value bases of SD and a critical appraisal of the policy and practical approaches that are emerging.

Important Academic Dates

Information about important academic dates including deadlines for withdrawing from units are available at https://www.mq.edu.au/study/calendar-of-dates

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:

Demonstrate an understanding of key scientific concepts and inter-relationships underpinning sustainable development
Demonstrate an understanding of the importance of SD, the values and principles underpinning SD and its contested nature in theory and application
Apply a system and future thinking approach to understand the interactions of environmental changes on aspects such as biodiversity, security, economic and social conditions
Be able to demonstrate a grasp of the international processes and literature relating to sustainable development
Begin to understand the processes of bringing about change towards sustainable development
Research how sustainable development is being undertaken in practice amongst key stakeholders
Demonstrate critical thinking and analytical skills for policy, programs and actions for key issues of sustainable development
Demonstrate an ability to present in different forms, cogent, structured reports, addressing defined issues
Develop an ability to work effectively as part of a multi-disciplinary team

Assessment Tasks

Name	Weighting	Due
Assignment 1	25%	9th May
Assignment 2	35%	17th May
Assignment 3	40%	20th June

Assignment 1

Due: 9th May
Weighting: 25%

This assignment allows you to demonstrate your grasp of the concept of sustainable development and its application by selecting one of the following aspects to critically assess.

1. sustainable development as a political issue

2. is 'ecologically sustainable development' a tautology?

3. making a business case for sustainability

Further details and readings are provided on the ilearn site

On successful completion you will be able to:

Demonstrate an understanding of key scientific concepts and inter-relationships underpinning sustainable development
Demonstrate an understanding of the importance of SD, the values and principles underpinning SD and its contested nature in theory and application
Be able to demonstrate a grasp of the international processes and literature relating to sustainable development
Begin to understand the processes of bringing about change towards sustainable development
Research how sustainable development is being undertaken in practice amongst key stakeholders
Demonstrate an ability to present in different forms, cogent, structured reports, addressing defined issues

Assignment 2

Due: 17th May
Weighting: 35%

This group project offers two options:

a) Research: Documentary or report on the perception of Major Groups on progress towards sustainable development.

b) Communicating for action on sustainable development: The group is required to research an aspect of sustainable development and prepare a self- learning tool for university students

Note 10% of the marks are provided for individual contribution. Further details are on the ilearn site.

On successful completion you will be able to:

Demonstrate an understanding of key scientific concepts and inter-relationships underpinning sustainable development
Demonstrate an understanding of the importance of SD, the values and principles underpinning SD and its contested nature in theory and application
Apply a system and future thinking approach to understand the interactions of environmental changes on aspects such as biodiversity, security, economic and social conditions
Be able to demonstrate a grasp of the international processes and literature relating to sustainable development
Begin to understand the processes of bringing about change towards sustainable development
Research how sustainable development is being undertaken in practice amongst key stakeholders
Demonstrate critical thinking and analytical skills for policy, programs and actions for key issues of sustainable development
Demonstrate an ability to present in different forms, cogent, structured reports, addressing defined issues
Develop an ability to work effectively as part of a multi-disciplinary team

Assignment 3

Due: 20th June
Weighting: 40%

This assignment assesses your ability to comprehensively analyse the practical considerations of implemening a sustainable development program or policy.

Further deatials are on the ilearn site

On successful completion you will be able to:

Demonstrate an understanding of key scientific concepts and inter-relationships underpinning sustainable development
Demonstrate an understanding of the importance of SD, the values and principles underpinning SD and its contested nature in theory and application
Apply a system and future thinking approach to understand the interactions of environmental changes on aspects such as biodiversity, security, economic and social conditions
Be able to demonstrate a grasp of the international processes and literature relating to sustainable development
Begin to understand the processes of bringing about change towards sustainable development
Research how sustainable development is being undertaken in practice amongst key stakeholders
Demonstrate critical thinking and analytical skills for policy, programs and actions for key issues of sustainable development
Demonstrate an ability to present in different forms, cogent, structured reports, addressing defined issues

Delivery and Resources

Delivery of the Unit

The unit is delivered by face to face block mode sessions. The teaching process includes:

Background reading by the students
Short presentations to introduce basic concepts.
Practical workshop sessions to provide opportunities for experiential learning from discussion with other class members (preparation is essential).
Student presentations of tasks undertaken in class in a time pressed environment (like work practice).
Talks from guest lecturers that convey the practice of sustainability and the ways change is facilitated.
Assignments that require students to practice key skills, including critical and integrative thinking, taking a systems perspective, listening to stakeholders, and communicating through diverse froms including writing and presenting in a logical and clearly argued manner.
Assignments provide opportunities for practicing negotiation skills and appreciating differences in different cultural and national contexts.

Students are expected to:

participate in workshop activities in small groups;
read set readings in advance for classes; and
follow current developments with regard to sustainable development in the media/ internationally.

Resources

At the outset students can review the following:

United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development 2012 The Future We Want, UN http://www.un.org/en/sustainablefuture/

This document is the consensus of aspirations from Rio + 20 intergovernmental meeting on sustainable development UNCSD.

NOTE: the UN has a website on sustainable development - a rich source of information. http://sustainabledevelopment.un.org/

Dennis H 2013 The world we want to see: perspectives on post-2015 A Christian Aid report September

http://www.christianaid.org.uk/images/Post-2015-Christian-Aid-report-September-2013.pdf

This document presents the vision for sustainable development from an NGO and has a strong values/ethical/ justice (Christian) viewpoint and highlights where action is needed

KPMG Future Sate 2030 the global megatrends shaping government

http://www.kpmg.com/Global/en/IssuesAndInsights/ArticlesPublications/future-state-government/Pages/future-state-2030.aspx

This document provides an easy read that encompasses the major global forces taking shape now that will significantly impact business for government and private sectors

Or you can look at the Australian research on megatrends

CSIRO Our Future World: Global megatrends that will cahnge the way we live

http://www.csiro.au/Portals/Partner/Futures/Our-Future-World.aspx

Raskin, P.D Electrix, C. Rosea, R.A. 2010 The century ahead searching for sustainability Sustainability 2:2626-2651

This journal article presents 4 scenarios for the future and looks at various indicators associated with those scenarios. Gives an insight into how sustainable development might be measured - more technically based article

Steffen, W. Persson, A. Deutsch, L. Zalasiewiez, M. Richardson, K, Crumley, C. Crutzen, P. Folke, C. Gordon, L, Molona, M. Ramanathan,, V. Rockstrom, J Scheffer, M. Schellnhuber, H.J. and Svedin, U. 2011 The Anthropocene: From Global Change to Planetary Stewardship AMBIO(2011) 40:739-761

This journal article lays out the human-nature relationship, the pace of change, the scientific basis and calls for action

Rockstrom J. et al 2009 Feature: A safe operating space for humanity Nature 461:24: 472-475 September

This article develops a concept of boundaries in the global system for certain impacts, and propose that these set limits for human development

Unit Schedule

Date	Time	Room	Session
Friday March 7th	6:30pm - 9:30pm	EMC-G240	Introduction to Course Themes Conceptualising sustainable development Assignment briefing
Saturday March 8th	10:00am - 5:00pm	EMC-G240	Workshop Session 1 Pathways to Sustainable Development and Themes History of the international SD policy process Sustainability science Introduction to law and governance Politics of sustainable development
Sunday 23 March	10:00am - 5:00pm	EMC-G240	Workshop Session 2: Key trends, programs and action for sustainable development
Friday 11^th April	10:00am - 5:00pm	E3A 244	Workshop Session 3: Sustainable development in practice - industry and government
Saturday 12^th April	10:00am - 5:00pm	E5A 110	Workshop Session 4 International case studies Leadership and change management
Saturday 10th May	10:00am - 5:00pm	EMC-G240	Workshop Session 5: Policy Frameworks for Sustainable Development Measuring Progress Towards Sustainable Development
Sunday 25^th May	10:00am - 5:00pm	EMC-G240	Workshop Session 6 Presentations of assignment 2

Policies and Procedures

Macquarie University policies and procedures are accessible from Policy Central. Students should be aware of the following policies in particular with regard to Learning and Teaching:

Academic Honesty Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/academic_honesty/policy.html

Assessment Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/assessment/policy.html

Grading Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/grading/policy.html

Grade Appeal Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/gradeappeal/policy.html

Grievance Management Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/grievance_management/policy.html

Disruption to Studies Policy http://www.mq.edu.au/policy/docs/disruption_studies/policy.html The Disruption to Studies Policy is effective from March 3 2014 and replaces the Special Consideration Policy.

In addition, a number of other policies can be found in the Learning and Teaching Category of Policy Central.

Student Code of Conduct

Macquarie University students have a responsibility to be familiar with the Student Code of Conduct: https://students.mq.edu.au/support/student_conduct/

Student Support

Macquarie University provides a range of support services for students. For details, visit http://students.mq.edu.au/support/

Learning Skills

Learning Skills (mq.edu.au/learningskills) provides academic writing resources and study strategies to improve your marks and take control of your study.

Student Services and Support

Students with a disability are encouraged to contact the Disability Service who can provide appropriate help with any issues that arise during their studies.

Student Enquiries

For all student enquiries, visit Student Connect at ask.mq.edu.au

IT Help

For help with University computer systems and technology, visit http://informatics.mq.edu.au/help/.

When using the University's IT, you must adhere to the Acceptable Use Policy. The policy applies to all who connect to the MQ network including students.

Graduate Capabilities

PG - Discipline Knowledge and Skills

Our postgraduates will be able to demonstrate a significantly enhanced depth and breadth of knowledge, scholarly understanding, and specific subject content knowledge in their chosen fields.