Unit convenor and teaching staff |
Unit convenor and teaching staff
Unit Co-Convenor
Emily O'Gorman
Contact via email
W3A 420
email for appointment
Unit Co-Convenor (contact for student enquiries during session)
Marilu Melo Zurita
Contact via email
W3A 412
email for appointment
Senior Lecturer
Fiona Miller
Contact via email
W3A 426
email for appointment
Tutor
Ashraful Alam
Contact via email
email for appointment
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Credit points |
Credit points
4
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Prerequisites |
Prerequisites
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Corequisites |
Corequisites
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Co-badged status |
Co-badged status
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Unit description |
Unit description
This unit is for students from non-cognate disciplines interested in pursuing postgraduate research in environment and sustainability. These units introduce students to core environmental concepts and topics by enabling them to participate in selected undergraduate units. This unit explores human impacts, attitudes and relationships with the environment. The unit is accessible for students with a broad range of backgrounds, and develops foundational knowledge and skills relating to environment and sustainability in order to facilitate higher level studies.
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Information about important academic dates including deadlines for withdrawing from units are available at https://www.mq.edu.au/study/calendar-of-dates
On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:
SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS
All assignments are to be submitted via Turnitin, the university online submission and marking system - found as a link in iLearn. Turnitin includes Grademark, a paperless grading system where your assignments are marked by staff online. Submissions are also checked for plagiarism by Turnitin. Turnitin automatically compares your work to the work of your classmates, previous students and material available on the internet. Hard copies of assignments are no longer accepted and will not be marked.
For more information on Turnitin and Grademark:
http://mq.edu.au/iLearn/student_info/assignments.htm
DEADLINES, EXTENSIONS AND PENALTIES
Deadlines set for assignment submissions will not be altered except in exceptional circumstances. In all cases, extensions must be applied for before the due date and must be supported with appropriate documentation (medical certificate, counsellor's certificate, statutory declaration). Where an unavoidable disruption warrants an extension, you may also wish to consider applying for Disruption to Studies. Requests for disruption to studies are submitted via ask.mq.edu.au. Instructions on how to submit your disruption to studies request can be found here: http://ask.mq.edu.au/kb.php?record=ce7c4e38-4f82-c4d7-95b1-4e2ee8fd075f
Extensions will not be granted in cases of poor time management. Only the Unit Convenor can authorise extensions. Late submissions will not be accepted once marked assignments have been returned unless otherwise approved by the Unit Convenor.
Late assignments will incur a late penalty of 10% of the total mark per day. Weekends will be counted as 2 days. Students who fail to complete and submit ALL assignments and sit exams for the Unit WILL FAIL THE UNIT (i.e. all assessment tasks must be completed as a minimum prerequisite to pass the Unit). Penalties will also be incurred for plagiarism, that is, the use of another persons’ work and presentation as your own (see University Policies and http://www.mq.edu.au/policy/docs/academic_honesty/policy.html).
GRADING
Each assignment will be marked, commented upon and returned to you via Turnitin and Grademark. Grading is conducted in line with the universities grading policy (http://www.mq.edu.au/policy/docs/grading/policy.html)
Name | Weighting | Due |
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Tutorial Participation | 10% | Weeks 2 - 12 tutorial sessions |
Essay outline | 5% | 5pm, 26 August 2016 |
Literature review essay | 35% | 5pm, 30 September 2016 |
Oral Presentation | 10% | Weeks 10-12 tutorial sessions |
Final Exam | 40% | TBA |
Due: Weeks 2 - 12 tutorial sessions
Weighting: 10%
Task: Attend all tutorials, read the assigned readings and present one of them if requested
Attendance will be recorded for all tutorial sessions. If you attend less than 80% of the tutorial sessions marks will be deducted. For each week’s tutorial you need to read the two assigned readings, which are the basis of group discussions and other tutorial activities. These will be posted on the Unit's iLean site. Be prepared to present each of them to the class if called on by the tutor. In each week’s tutorial, two people will be selected randomly to present a brief (5 minute) summary of one of the assigned readings and to facilitate a class discussion. You will not be allowed to use Microsoft Powerpoint or any other electronic presentation tools but you will be allowed to use the whiteboard if you wish. Your performance will be assessed using a simple marking sheet that indicates the strength of your contributions. All students will be expected to participate in the discussion of the readings
Tutorial participation includes listening to your classmates' oral presentations (see below) in tutorial sessions in weeks 10-12 and asking them questions about their presentation.
Due: 5pm, 26 August 2016
Weighting: 5%
Word length: 300 words (excluding references)
This task relates to the Literature review essay task (see below). A small selection of essay topics will be posted on iLearn in the first week of the teaching session. Choose an essay topic and write a proposed outline of a full length Literature review essay, including the main bodies of literature that you will focus and your key argument(s). This outline must be fully referenced. You must refer to at least four academic journal articles and include a bibliography with full citation details.
Choose your topic carefully as this will be the same topic for your full length essay. Only in exceptional circumstances will students be allowed to change topics for their full length essays.
Submission requirements:
Submit via iLearn in “Word” format using the Turnitin link. Versions submitted as “.pdf” will be returned to the student and late penalties may apply.
Style: written prose (minimise use of dot points), no less than 1.5 line spacing and no smaller than 11pt font. References: ensure you reference your work. See: http://www.students.mq.edu.au/support/learning_skills/undergraduate/academic_skills_quick guides/
Due: 5pm, 30 September 2016
Weighting: 35%
Word length: 3,000 words (excluding references)
This task relates to the Essay outline (see above). Taking into consideration the feedback you received on your Essay outline, write a full length literature review essay on the same topic. Only in exceptional circumstances will students be allowed to change topics from the one they selected for the Essay outline task.
Further information on presentation of written assignments and hints on literature review essay preparation will be provided on the unit's iLearn site. Essays must be written in light of the Assessment Standards. Late essays attract a penalty of 10% per day. After five (5) days, the piece of work will be assessed only on the basis of Pass or Fail; no marks will be allocated to it. Please note that all assessment items must be completed in order to pass the Unit.
Submissions requirements:
Submit via iLearn in “Word” format using the Turnitin link. Versions submitted as “.pdf” will be returned to the student and late penalties may apply.
Style: essay, no less than 1.5 line spacing and no smaller than 11pt font. References: ensure you reference your work. See: http://www.students.mq.edu.au/support/learning_skills/undergraduate/academic_skills_quick guides/
You are expected to use approximately 13-15 different sources (for example, articles, chapters in edited collections and books).
Due: Weeks 10-12 tutorial sessions
Weighting: 10%
Length of presentation: 5-7mins
This is a reflective task. Choose an experience from your own life and relate it to key concepts from the tutorial readings. You must engage with at least three readings in depth. The readings could be selected across different tutorial weeks, they do not need to be from the same week. It is better to think about your reading selection in terms of concepts, or to illustrate a point in your discussion. Present your reflection (which MUST include analysis) to your tutorial group. Presentations will be held in tutorials in weeks 10-12.
You can choose to focus on any experience but it must be relevant to the themes of the unit and illuminate the concepts and readings you discuss. Experiences might focus on, for instance:
An encounter (for example, with an animal)
A place (for example, a particular spot on the harbour)
A conversation (for example, that made you think differently)
An item or object (for example, a water bottle)
You will be assessed on your ability to summarise concepts and readings and to relate these to your chosen experience. Your mark will also reflect your capacity to answer questions following your presentation. These will relate to the content of your presentation and include one question from the tutor and one to two questions from your classmates.
Your presentation must:
Due: TBA
Weighting: 40%
The final exam will comprise short answer questions and 1 essay. In the past the exam has comprised 15 short answer questions + 2 essays and 2 hours is set aside for it. The composition for the 2016 exam will be similar however please note that there will only be 1 essay this year (the exam time will remain as 2 hours).
The date, time and venue for this exam will be determined by the University's examination timetable but will be held in the examination period.
Technology
GEOP604 has a website which is accessible via www.mq.edu.au/iLearn. Here you can get access to unit materials, copies of lecture slides, notices and a general discussion place to pose questions to staff.
Students are not required to acquire any technology for this unit but are expected to access the iLearn site and to use computers to produce their assignments.
Lecture
Lecture 1pm-3pm Thursday W5A P.G. Price Theatre
Tutorials
Please see the university timetable for tutorial times and locations
Week |
Date |
Lecture Schedule (subject to change) |
Tutorial |
Assessments |
1 |
4 Aug |
Welcome (MMZ) 1. Environment and Society (MMZ)
2. Sustainability: A history and future of an idea (FM) |
No tutorials |
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Part 1: Commodities and globalisation |
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2 |
11 Aug |
3. Resources and 'resourcification' (MMZ)
4. MQ library (guest lecture: Melinda Stewart) |
Values and resources |
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3 |
18 Aug |
5. Water, crisis and sustainability I (FM)
6. Water, crisis and sustainability II (FM) |
Water and cities |
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4 |
25 Aug |
7. Circulations I (MMZ)
8. Circulations II (MMZ) |
Power and movement |
Essay outline due (5%): 5pm, Friday 26 August |
5 |
1 Sept |
9. Circulations III (MMZ)
10. Place and production (MMZ) |
Politics and production |
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Part 2: Social movements and values |
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6 |
8 Sept |
11. Introduced species in Australian history (guest lecture: Dr. Peter Hobbins)
12. Species protection and eradication (MMZ) |
Protection and eradication |
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7 |
15 Sept |
13. Protected areas (MMZ)
14. Conservation, biodiversity and international agreements (MMZ) |
Essay preparation |
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Mid-session break: 19 September to 2 October |
Literature review essay due (35%): 5pm, Friday 30 September |
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8 |
6 Oct |
15. Nature, disasters and society I (FM)
16. Nature, disasters and society II (FM) |
Nature and disaster |
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9 |
13 Oct |
17. Equity and climate change I (FM)
18. Equity and climate change II (FM) |
Equity, justice and climate change |
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Part 3: Emergent pathways to sustainability |
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10 |
20 Oct |
19. Carbon and governments (guest lecture: tba)
20. Alternative economies (MMZ) |
Student presentations |
Oral presentation (10%): weeks 10-12 |
11 |
27 Oct |
21. Water and society (MMZ)
22. Water and sustainability: a Sydney perspective (guest lecture: tba) |
Student presentations |
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12 |
3 Nov |
23. Beyond capitalism I (MMZ)
24. Beyond capitalism II (MMZ) |
Student presentations |
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13 |
10 Nov |
25. Future studies (MMZ)
26. Synthesis (MMZ) |
No Tutorials |
Final exam (40%)– In exam period |
Examination period: 14 November to 2 December |
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MMZ – Dr Marilu Melo Zurita; FM – Dr Fiona Miller
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
New Assessment Policy in effect from Session 2 2016 http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/assessment/policy_2016.html. For more information visit http://students.mq.edu.au/events/2016/07/19/new_assessment_policy_in_place_from_session_2/
Assessment Policy prior to Session 2 2016 http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/assessment/policy.html
Grading Policy prior to Session 2 2016 http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/grading/policy.html
Grade Appeal Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/gradeappeal/policy.html
Complaint Management Procedure for Students and Members of the Public http://www.mq.edu.au/policy/docs/complaint_management/procedure.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.
Macquarie University students have a responsibility to be familiar with the Student Code of Conduct: https://students.mq.edu.au/support/student_conduct/
Results shown in iLearn, or released directly by your Unit Convenor, are not confirmed as they are subject to final approval by the University. Once approved, final results will be sent to your student email address and will be made available in eStudent. For more information visit ask.mq.edu.au.
Macquarie University provides a range of support services for students. For details, visit http://students.mq.edu.au/support/
Learning Skills (mq.edu.au/learningskills) provides academic writing resources and study strategies to improve your marks and take control of your study.
Students with a disability are encouraged to contact the Disability Service who can provide appropriate help with any issues that arise during their studies.
For all student enquiries, visit Student Connect at ask.mq.edu.au
For help with University computer systems and technology, visit http://www.mq.edu.au/about_us/offices_and_units/information_technology/help/.
When using the University's IT, you must adhere to the Acceptable Use of IT Resources Policy. The policy applies to all who connect to the MQ network including students.
Our graduates will also be capable of creative thinking and of creating knowledge. They will be imaginative and open to experience and capable of innovation at work and in the community. We want them to be engaged in applying their critical, creative thinking.
This graduate capability is supported by:
We want our graduates to have emotional intelligence and sound interpersonal skills and to demonstrate discernment and common sense in their professional and personal judgement. They will exercise initiative as needed. They will be capable of risk assessment, and be able to handle ambiguity and complexity, enabling them to be adaptable in diverse and changing environments.
This graduate capability is supported by:
Our graduates will have enquiring minds and a literate curiosity which will lead them to pursue knowledge for its own sake. They will continue to pursue learning in their careers and as they participate in the world. They will be capable of reflecting on their experiences and relationships with others and the environment, learning from them, and growing - personally, professionally and socially.
This graduate capability is supported by:
Our graduates will take with them the intellectual development, depth and breadth of knowledge, scholarly understanding, and specific subject content in their chosen fields to make them competent and confident in their subject or profession. They will be able to demonstrate, where relevant, professional technical competence and meet professional standards. They will be able to articulate the structure of knowledge of their discipline, be able to adapt discipline-specific knowledge to novel situations, and be able to contribute from their discipline to inter-disciplinary solutions to problems.
This graduate capability is supported by:
We want our graduates to be capable of reasoning, questioning and analysing, and to integrate and synthesise learning and knowledge from a range of sources and environments; to be able to critique constraints, assumptions and limitations; to be able to think independently and systemically in relation to scholarly activity, in the workplace, and in the world. We want them to have a level of scientific and information technology literacy.
This graduate capability is supported by:
Our graduates should be capable of researching; of analysing, and interpreting and assessing data and information in various forms; of drawing connections across fields of knowledge; and they should be able to relate their knowledge to complex situations at work or in the world, in order to diagnose and solve problems. We want them to have the confidence to take the initiative in doing so, within an awareness of their own limitations.
This graduate capability is supported by:
We want to develop in our students the ability to communicate and convey their views in forms effective with different audiences. We want our graduates to take with them the capability to read, listen, question, gather and evaluate information resources in a variety of formats, assess, write clearly, speak effectively, and to use visual communication and communication technologies as appropriate.
This graduate capability is supported by:
As local citizens our graduates will be aware of indigenous perspectives and of the nation's historical context. They will be engaged with the challenges of contemporary society and with knowledge and ideas. We want our graduates to have respect for diversity, to be open-minded, sensitive to others and inclusive, and to be open to other cultures and perspectives: they should have a level of cultural literacy. Our graduates should be aware of disadvantage and social justice, and be willing to participate to help create a wiser and better society.
This graduate capability is supported by:
We want our graduates to be aware of and have respect for self and others; to be able to work with others as a leader and a team player; to have a sense of connectedness with others and country; and to have a sense of mutual obligation. Our graduates should be informed and active participants in moving society towards sustainability.
This graduate capability is supported by:
Many apologies for any inconvenience caused by changes to this Unit. Some tutorial readings have been updated. The following changes have been made to assessment items in order to offer a greater variety of skills and to cater for diverse ways of learning as well as to provide early feedback:
An essay outline task (5%) has been added this year so that students can receive early feedback on their planned full length essay.
The weighting of the oral presentation task has been reduced to 10%.
For the exam, instead of short answer questions and 2 essays, there will be short answer questions and 1 essay question.