Students
GEOX8010 – Social Impact Assessment
2020 – Session 2, Fully online/virtual
Notice
As part of Phase 3 of our return to campus plan, most units will now run tutorials, seminars and other small group learning activities on campus for the second half-year, while keeping an online version available for those students unable to return or those who choose to continue their studies online.
To check the availability of face to face activities for your unit, please go to timetable viewer. To check detailed information on unit assessments visit your unit's iLearn space or consult your unit convenor.
General Information
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| Unit convenor and teaching staff |
Unit convenor and teaching staff
Alison Ziller
|
|---|---|
| Credit points |
Credit points
10
|
| Prerequisites |
Prerequisites
Admission to MPASR (OUA) or GradDipPASR (OUA) or MPSP (OUA)
|
| Corequisites |
Corequisites
|
| Co-badged status |
Co-badged status
|
| Unit description |
Unit description
Social impact assessment (SIA) is an important assessment tool which applies social science methodologies to the evaluation of a wide range of public policy proposals, including those relating to land use planning, social policies and public health. This unit addresses the theory and methods of SIA, discusses the public policy processes which use this assessment, and applies a critical perspective to the ethical dilemmas facing the SIA practitioner. There is a practical focus to the course work through the use of current case studies, and this provides students with an insight into pressures and political difficulties frequently encountered. Students will learn how to recognise and respond to these problems, and present issues to non-specialist audiences. All enrolment queries should be directed to Open Universities Australia (OUA): see www.open.edu.au |
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:
- ULO1: Explain the theory underpinning SIA and its role and use in practice
- ULO2: Recognise key social impact issues that occur in land use development and public policy assessment
- ULO3: Apply knowledge and key concepts from social impact assessment to critical evaluation of planning and policy decisions
- ULO4: Identify and discuss ways of integrating social issues into public sector discourse and practice
- ULO5: Research and discuss complex ideas about social change, social process and assessment of social impacts
- ULO6: Recognise ethical issues and risks in evaluation and impact assessment
General Assessment Information
Submitting your assignments:
All assignments should be submitted via Turn-it-in.
Unless a special consideration request https://students.mq.edu.au/study/my-study-program/special-consideration has been submitted and approved, (a) a penalty for lateness will apply – two (2) marks out of 100 will be deducted per day for assignments submitted after the due date – and (b) no assignment will be accepted more than seven (7) days (incl. weekends) after the original submission deadline.
Active engagement with all learning activities, including lectures and discussions, is critical for success in this unit.
Assessment Tasks
| Name | Weighting | Hurdle | Due |
|---|---|---|---|
| Research essay | 30% | No | 24/08/20 |
| Critique of a case study | 40% | No | 12/10//20 |
| Visual representation of key SIA issues | 30% | No | 02/11/20 |
Research essay
Assessment Type 1: Essay
Indicative Time on Task 2: 30 hours
Due: 24/08/20
Weighting: 30%
1500 word research essay drawing on academic and grey literature to explain social impact issues raised by a proposed project or policy
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Explain the theory underpinning SIA and its role and use in practice
- Recognise key social impact issues that occur in land use development and public policy assessment
Critique of a case study
Assessment Type 1: Case study/analysis
Indicative Time on Task 2: 40 hours
Due: 12/10//20
Weighting: 40%
2000 word critical review of a social impact assessment or similar document
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Apply knowledge and key concepts from social impact assessment to critical evaluation of planning and policy decisions
- Identify and discuss ways of integrating social issues into public sector discourse and practice
- Research and discuss complex ideas about social change, social process and assessment of social impacts
- Recognise ethical issues and risks in evaluation and impact assessment
Visual representation of key SIA issues
Assessment Type 1: Practice-based task
Indicative Time on Task 2: 20 hours
Due: 02/11/20
Weighting: 30%
Visual representation of social impact issues in a form suited to an identified audience with 600 words accompanying written commentary
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Identify and discuss ways of integrating social issues into public sector discourse and practice
- Research and discuss complex ideas about social change, social process and assessment of social impacts
- Recognise ethical issues and risks in evaluation and impact assessment
1 If you need help with your assignment, please contact:
- the academic teaching staff in your unit for guidance in understanding or completing this type of assessment
- the Writing Centre for academic skills support.
2 Indicative time-on-task is an estimate of the time required for completion of the assessment task and is subject to individual variation
Delivery and Resources
There will be a lecture on each topic covered in this unit. A reading list will be provided.
Policies and Procedures
Macquarie University policies and procedures are accessible from Policy Central (https://staff.mq.edu.au/work/strategy-planning-and-governance/university-policies-and-procedures/policy-central). Students should be aware of the following policies in particular with regard to Learning and Teaching:
- Academic Appeals Policy
- Academic Integrity Policy
- Academic Progression Policy
- Assessment Policy
- Fitness to Practice Procedure
- Grade Appeal Policy
- Complaint Management Procedure for Students and Members of the Public
- Special Consideration Policy (Note: The Special Consideration Policy is effective from 4 December 2017 and replaces the Disruption to Studies Policy.)
Students seeking more policy resources can visit the Student Policy Gateway (https://students.mq.edu.au/support/study/student-policy-gateway). It is your one-stop-shop for the key policies you need to know about throughout your undergraduate student journey.
If you would like to see all the policies relevant to Learning and Teaching visit Policy Central (https://staff.mq.edu.au/work/strategy-planning-and-governance/university-policies-and-procedures/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/study/getting-started/student-conduct
Results
Results published on platform other than eStudent, (eg. iLearn, Coursera etc.) 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 or if you are a Global MBA student contact globalmba.support@mq.edu.au
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 help you improve your marks and take control of your study.
The Library provides online and face to face support to help you find and use relevant information resources.
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
If you are a Global MBA student contact globalmba.support@mq.edu.au
IT Help
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.