Students
POIX3970 – Global Environmental Politics
2021 – Session 2, Fully online/virtual
Session 2 Learning and Teaching Update
The decision has been made to conduct study online for the remainder of Session 2 for all units WITHOUT mandatory on-campus learning activities. Exams for Session 2 will also be online where possible to do so.
This is due to the extension of the lockdown orders and to provide certainty around arrangements for the remainder of Session 2. We hope to return to campus beyond Session 2 as soon as it is safe and appropriate to do so.
Some classes/teaching activities cannot be moved online and must be taught on campus. You should already know if you are in one of these classes/teaching activities and your unit convenor will provide you with more information via iLearn. If you want to confirm, see the list of units with mandatory on-campus classes/teaching activities.
Visit the MQ COVID-19 information page for more detail.
General Information
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| Unit convenor and teaching staff |
Unit convenor and teaching staff
Unit Convenor
Jonathan Symons
Contact via jonathan.symons@mq.edu.au
Lv 2 25B/C Wally's Walk
Mondays 3-4 pm /by appointment
Tutor
Govand Azeez
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|---|---|
| Credit points |
Credit points
10
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| Prerequisites |
Prerequisites
130cp at 1000 level or above OR (20cp in POL or POIR or POIX units at 2000 level).
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| Corequisites |
Corequisites
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| Co-badged status |
Co-badged status
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| Unit description |
Unit description
Environmental issues are gaining prominence in both national and international politics and it is increasingly apparent that human activities are driving significant changes in our planet's environment. This unit provides a critical introduction to the theory and practice of global environmental politics and its interaction with other areas of global governance. Students will be introduced to debates in green political theory, to developing world perspectives on environmental movements and to the ways in which environmental issues are conceptualised by major theories of international relations. Cases covered will be drawn from both Australian and international contexts. They will include climate change, geoengineering, energy security, biodiversity, human-animal relationships, food security and management of common pool resources such as forests, airsheds and fisheries. |
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 and critically evaluate theoretical and practical debates related to global environmental politics.
- ULO2: Identify and analyse interconnections between environmental issues and broader dynamics in international politics.
- ULO3: Discuss international institutional responses to the claims of environmental movements.
- ULO4: Communicate information accurately and clearly on global environmental issues in oral, written and graphic forms.
- ULO5: Synthesise knowledge to develop an informed perspective on 'environmental citizenship' and individual responsibilities concerning global environmental challenges.
General Assessment Information
Unless a Special Consideration request has been submitted and approved, (a) a penalty for lateness will apply – 10 marks out of 100 credit will be deducted per day for assignments submitted after the due date – and (b) no assignment will be accepted seven days (incl. weekends) after the original submission deadline.
Assessment Tasks
| Name | Weighting | Hurdle | Due |
|---|---|---|---|
| Quizzes based on weekly readings | 20% | No | 23:00, Sunday, weeks 2-10 & week 13. |
| Participation in online discussion forum | 25% | No | 23:00 17/08/2021 (and weekly participation) |
| Research Essay | 55% | No | 17:00 22/10/2021 |
Quizzes based on weekly readings
Assessment Type 1: Quiz/Test
Indicative Time on Task 2: 15 hours
Due: 23:00, Sunday, weeks 2-10 & week 13.
Weighting: 20%
Quizzes based on weekly readings – dates and details provided on ilearn.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Explain and critically evaluate theoretical and practical debates related to global environmental politics.
- Identify and analyse interconnections between environmental issues and broader dynamics in international politics.
- Communicate information accurately and clearly on global environmental issues in oral, written and graphic forms.
Participation in online discussion forum
Assessment Type 1: Participatory task
Indicative Time on Task 2: 25 hours
Due: 23:00 17/08/2021 (and weekly participation)
Weighting: 25%
Students will be assessed a) on their participation in the weekly discussion forums on ilearn (10%) and b) on their leadership and accompanying written submission to ilearn re one week’s tutorial activity (15%).
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Explain and critically evaluate theoretical and practical debates related to global environmental politics.
- Identify and analyse interconnections between environmental issues and broader dynamics in international politics.
- Discuss international institutional responses to the claims of environmental movements.
- Communicate information accurately and clearly on global environmental issues in oral, written and graphic forms.
- Synthesise knowledge to develop an informed perspective on 'environmental citizenship' and individual responsibilities concerning global environmental challenges.
Research Essay
Assessment Type 1: Essay
Indicative Time on Task 2: 45 hours
Due: 17:00 22/10/2021
Weighting: 55%
Research essay requiring independent research. Essay questions and marking criteria will be provided on iLearn. Completion of task will require in-class or online presentation summarising essay’s argument.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Explain and critically evaluate theoretical and practical debates related to global environmental politics.
- Identify and analyse interconnections between environmental issues and broader dynamics in international politics.
- Discuss international institutional responses to the claims of environmental movements.
- Communicate information accurately and clearly on global environmental issues in oral, written and graphic forms.
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
Delivery
For lecture times and classrooms please consult the MQ Timetable website: http://www.timetables.mq.edu.au. This website will display up-to-date information on your classes and classroom locations. At the time of publication we are planning to offer a mix of on-campus, discussion-board and zoom-based teaching.
Internal/ Special Circumstance students are expected to attend the following classes each week:
Lecture: Monday 12-2pm (combination of zoom and pre-recorded classes)
Tutorials: 3pm and 4pm. (A mix of on-campus and zoom tutorials will be offered, depending on Covid restrictions. Details to be provided via ilearn)
NOTE: Tutorials will begin in Week 1. Also, the Week 1 lecture will include approximately 1 hour of a synchronous zoom session (12-1) where we'll introduce ourselves to each other and I'll explain the unit administration. I encourage external students to attend this zoom session.
External/OUA students: The lecture is recorded and can be downloaded from iLearn/Echo360. In week 1 there will be a simultaneous zoom lecture that you may attend, or watch at a later date. You will also find lecture slides on ilearn .
External students are required to participate actively in discussion on the iLearn discussion forums (further details are given in the section on Assessment.)
Required resources:
There is one required text for this unit:
O’Neill, Kate (2016 2nd Edition) The Environment and International Relations. Cambridge, UK; New York: Cambridge University Press. Access to a copy of the first edition (2009) is also be sufficient.
Access to this text will be necessary in order to complete the reading quizzes. Although the library has an electronic copy of this text, access through the library cannot be guaranteed at any specific time (e.g. if you plan to do the readings moments before the quiz is due). All other unit readings will all be available on ilearn or e-reserve. Students who wish to purchase an additional reference text might consider:
Axelrod Regina et al. (2014, 4th ed) The Global Environment: Institutions, Law and Policy, Washington. D.C.: CQ Press
Unit Schedule
Week 1 - 26 July
Introduction: Green Political Theory, Globalisation and the 'Anthropocene'.
*Tutorials commence in week 1 in this unit.
Week 2 - 2 Aug (Reading quiz due 1 Aug)
International Relations Theory and Global Environmental Problems
Case study: Week 3-4 class activity on solar geoengineering is introduced in the Lecture and Tutorial this week.
First week of weekly ilearn reading quizzes that must be completed by Sunday 11pm each week (the evening before the lecture).
Week 3 - 9 Aug (Reading quiz due 8 Aug)
Actors: States, Professional Communities, NGOs, Multinational Corporations & the public.
Case Study: The Montreal Protocol/ Ozone Layer Depletion.
NB: Please nominate which research question you will address this week via the iLearn discussion forum.
Week 4 - 16 Aug (Reading quiz due 15 Aug)
International Environmental Regimes Case Study: Whaling.
**Graded class participation activity due for all students in this week's tutorial/discussion forum. Class participation notes to be submitted to ilearn by 11pm 17 August.**
Week 5 - 23 Aug (Reading quiz due 22 Aug)
Intersecting Regimes: Environment, Trade and Security
Week 6 - 30 Aug (Reading quiz due 29 Aug)
Common Pool Resources: Forests, Airsheds and Fisheries
Week 7 - 6 Sept (Reading quiz due 5 Sept)
Global Public Goods: Climate change
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MID SEMESTER BREAK: 13 to 26 September
Week 8 - 27 September (Reading quiz due 26 Sept)
Energy Security & Electricity Policy
Week 9 - Labour Day Public Holiday - No Classes or Reading Quiz.
Week 10 - 11 Oct - (Reading quiz due 10 Oct).
Food Security & Agriculture
Week 11 - 18 Oct - Essay Due Friday 22 October 5pm.
Biodiversity and Human–Animal Relationships
Week 12 - 25 Oct
Capitalism, Degrowth & Socialist Modernism
Week 13 - 1 November (reading quiz on weeks 12 and 13 readings due 31 October)
Citizenship in the Anthropocene.
Policies and Procedures
Macquarie University policies and procedures are accessible from Policy Central (https://policies.mq.edu.au). 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
Students seeking more policy resources can visit Student Policies (https://students.mq.edu.au/support/study/policies). It is your one-stop-shop for the key policies you need to know about throughout your undergraduate student journey.
To find other policies relating to Teaching and Learning, visit Policy Central (https://policies.mq.edu.au) and use the search tool.
Student Code of Conduct
Macquarie University students have a responsibility to be familiar with the Student Code of Conduct: https://students.mq.edu.au/admin/other-resources/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.
Changes since First Published
| Date | Description |
|---|---|
| 26/07/2021 | Corrected a confusing phrase in unit outline. |
| 22/07/2021 | the words "(and weekly participation)" were added to the date of the weekly participation task. They had been omitted accidentally. |
Unit information based on version 2021.02 of the Handbook