Students

ENVS7418 – Environmental Planning

2021 – Session 2, Weekday attendance, North Ryde

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
Peter Davies
lecturer
Neil Saintilan
lecturer
Malcolm Hughes
Credit points Credit points
10
Prerequisites Prerequisites
Admission to MRes
Corequisites Corequisites
Co-badged status Co-badged status
ENVS8418 Special Circumstances and ENVS7418
Unit description Unit description

This unit gives students a detailed understanding of the origins and current issues that structure practice in environmental planning. Students are introduced to the history of planning and its intersection with environmental thought. By the end of the unit students will be able to recognise different theories of planning; identify the structure of planning systems; show how current issues such as climate change impinge on planning; and produce a professional planning communication document.

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: critically assess environmental theory, plans and policies across multiple scales and jurisdictions
  • ULO2: apply environmental and planning law and policy and planning skills to the decision-making process of government and industry
  • ULO3: identify and critically evaluate the interests, roles and responsibilities of stakeholders involved in environmental planning decisions
  • ULO4: demonstrate individual and group-based skills in research and writing for different target audiences

General Assessment Information

Assignments are the means used to assess if you have reached the learning outcomes for the unit. The criteria by which the assignment will be marked are made clear in each case. As a rough guide, 10 marks is equivalent to about 10 hours of quality work.

Evidence of wide and comprehensive reading is required, drawing on journals, international examples, thought pieces, and reports. All ideas must be cited inclusove of the source/author. See notes on academic honesty in the Unit Guide. Unless otherwise stated in the detailed assessment guide, any recognised referencing style may be used so long as it is consistent and accurate.

Detailed information on the assessments tasks, marking criteria, and supporting resources will be provided via the iLearn site.  Assessment marks and ffeedback will generally be provided within 4 weeks after submission. 

Submitting assignments

All assignments must be submitted electronically on the iLearn site.

Each assignment has a separate upload site. The assignment site will usually be a ‘Turnitin’, where your work is reviewed for similarity to websites, articles or other students’ work. If you have not given credit for ideas used to the author or source you will be penalised (failure of the assignment and reporting to a disciplinary committee to determine whether you have breached the University’s Academic Integrity Policy: https://staff.mq.edu.au/work/strategy-planning-and-governance/university-policies-and-procedures/policies/academic-integrity). See information on academic honesty on the iLearn site and techniques on how to avoid common plagiarism errors (https://www.students.mq.edu.au/public/download.jsp?id=201272).

 You do not need an assignment cover sheet for electronic submission to ENVS8418, it is understood that you are signing a declaration of honesty. Be sure to add your name, title of work and unit to your work.

Assessment Criteria

Assessment at Macquarie University is standards-based, as outlined in the Assessment Policy. This means that your work will be assessed against clear criteria, and these criteria (e.g. in a rubric) will be made available when the assessment tasks are released to you on iLearn. 

Marking of Assessments

Assignments will usually be marked through Turnitin with grades provided through Gradebook on iLearn. Please do not submit your assessments via email or in hard copy unless requested (e.g. a sketch or drawing).

We aim to return your assessment grades and feedback within four weeks of the date that you submitted it. We appreciate your patience and will advise you through iLearn when your marked assessments and feedback are available for viewing.

Penalties for Late Assessments

The penalty for late submission of assessments in this unit is ten percent (10 %) of the assessment value per day, calculated from the due time and date. This means that if the assignment is worth a total of 30 marks (or 30 % of the unit) you will lose 3 marks for each day it is late. This is a hefty penalty designed to make you aware of the importance of organising yourself around assessment due dates. The penalty will be applied over weekdays and weekends unless you have been granted an extension prior to the due date.

Extensions for Assessments

To obtain an extension for an assessment task, you will need to follow the formal process as outlined in the Special Consideration Policy, and you must provide appropriate supporting evidence (e.g. medical certificate - see advice for Special Consideration requests). The final decision regarding the granting of an extension lies with the unit convenor. Permission for extensions must be sought before the due date unless there are exceptional circumstances. Please let us know of problems in advance or as soon as possible, not after the event. We are likely to be much more sympathetic and able to accommodate your circumstance if you follow this advice.

Assessment Tasks

Name Weighting Hurdle Due
Reflection 20% No Week 5
Group assignment 30% No Week 10
Quiz 20% No Week 8 and Week 12
Briefing report 30% No Week 13

Reflection

Assessment Type 1: Reflective Writing
Indicative Time on Task 2: 10 hours
Due: Week 5
Weighting: 20%

 

Reflective report focusing on the content and learning outcomes of the first module and how this will inform the future assessment tasks

 


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • critically assess environmental theory, plans and policies across multiple scales and jurisdictions
  • apply environmental and planning law and policy and planning skills to the decision-making process of government and industry
  • identify and critically evaluate the interests, roles and responsibilities of stakeholders involved in environmental planning decisions

Group assignment

Assessment Type 1: Practice-based task
Indicative Time on Task 2: 25 hours
Due: Week 10
Weighting: 30%

 

Prepare as a small group project a report or strategy based on an authentic task and write a personal reflection on the process.

 


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • critically assess environmental theory, plans and policies across multiple scales and jurisdictions
  • apply environmental and planning law and policy and planning skills to the decision-making process of government and industry
  • identify and critically evaluate the interests, roles and responsibilities of stakeholders involved in environmental planning decisions
  • demonstrate individual and group-based skills in research and writing for different target audiences

Quiz

Assessment Type 1: Quiz/Test
Indicative Time on Task 2: 10 hours
Due: Week 8 and Week 12
Weighting: 20%

 

Multiple-choice quizzes and/or skills assessment done during class.

 


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • critically assess environmental theory, plans and policies across multiple scales and jurisdictions
  • apply environmental and planning law and policy and planning skills to the decision-making process of government and industry

Briefing report

Assessment Type 1: Report
Indicative Time on Task 2: 25 hours
Due: Week 13
Weighting: 30%

 

Write a briefing report for a government agency on a topical environmental policy or planning issue.

 


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • critically assess environmental theory, plans and policies across multiple scales and jurisdictions
  • apply environmental and planning law and policy and planning skills to the decision-making process of government and industry
  • identify and critically evaluate the interests, roles and responsibilities of stakeholders involved in environmental planning decisions
  • demonstrate individual and group-based skills in research and writing for different target audiences

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

Your class this semester will be held on Thursday evenings from 5:00 - 8:00 PM. This will be delivered concurrently as a face to face workshop class and via Zoom. The format will generally follow a 1-hour lecture followed by a 2 hour group based exercise. There is a full day field trip on Saturday 4th September. This has been designed around COVID safe protocols with small groups and staggered starts. Where students are not in Australia, an alternative field exercise will be developed.

Class time and location: Thursday 5:00 – 8:00 Room 01 CC 115 Learning Space

Zoom link: https://macquarie.zoom.us/j/82161239107

Please note, pending COVID-19 restrictions, there may be changes to the delivery of the unit.

There is a mandatory field trip scheduled for 4th September, 2021. This will be a full day and will be based within the Sydney area. An exemption for attendance may be granted to students due to COVID or other exceptional reasons. Approval must be sought and is to be granted in advance of the 2 September.

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:

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.


Unit information based on version 2021.01 of the Handbook