Students
GEOP8060 – Environmental Impact Assessment
2021 – Session 2, Special circumstances
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
Download as PDF
| Unit convenor and teaching staff |
Unit convenor and teaching staff
Convenor
Sandie Suchet-Pearson
Contact via email
Lecturer
Fiona Miller
Contact via email
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|---|---|
| Credit points |
Credit points
10
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| Prerequisites |
Prerequisites
Admission to MEnv or MEnvEd or MEnvMgt or MEnvStud or MEnvPlan or MPlan or GradCertEnvPlan or MWldMgt or MPPP or MMarScMgt or MEnvLaw or GradDipEnv or MSusDev or GradCertSusDev or GradDipSusDev or GradCertSIA or GradDipSIA or MConsBiol or GradDipConsBiol or MDevStud or MPASRMDevStud or MPPPMDevStud or MSc in (Biodiversity Conversation or Remote Sensing and GIS or Environmental Health)
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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 impact assessment (EIA) is a central decision-making process in many planning systems, and sets the agenda for ongoing environmental management of developments. This unit will enhance students’ understandings of what EIAs are and how they are carried out in Australia and internationally. The unit will discuss formal government environmental impact assessment processes as well as the diverse ways in which non-government entities mobilise to assess environmental impacts. In particular, it will focus on how Indigenous peoples understand the environment and the multiple ways in which environment health and well-being is assessed and asserted through Indigenous governance and planning processes. |
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 evaluate Environmental Impact Statements from the perspective of different knowledge systems.
- ULO2: Evaluate, and propose improvements to, the design of Environmental Impact Assessment systems for development projects
- ULO3: Scope environmental impacts through the lens of Indigenous governance and planning processes
- ULO4: Analyse the social justice implications of Environmental Impact Assessment processes adopted in different nations
General Assessment Information
Late Assessment Submission Penalty
New Late penalty statement 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. No late submissions will be accepted for timed assessments – e.g. quizzes, online tests etc.
Assessment Tasks
| Name | Weighting | Hurdle | Due |
|---|---|---|---|
| Online quizzes | 15% | No | 9:00 13/8/2021; 01/10/2021; 22/10/2021 |
| Review of an EIA | 30% | No | 17:00 17/09/2021 |
| Indigenous understandings of environmental health and well-being | 55% | No | 17:00 05/11/2021 |
Online quizzes
Assessment Type 1: Quiz/Test
Indicative Time on Task 2: 10 hours
Due: 9:00 13/8/2021; 01/10/2021; 22/10/2021
Weighting: 15%
3 online quizzes based on workshop preparation materials including lectures and readings
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Critically evaluate Environmental Impact Statements from the perspective of different knowledge systems.
- Evaluate, and propose improvements to, the design of Environmental Impact Assessment systems for development projects
- Scope environmental impacts through the lens of Indigenous governance and planning processes
- Analyse the social justice implications of Environmental Impact Assessment processes adopted in different nations
Review of an EIA
Assessment Type 1: Report
Indicative Time on Task 2: 30 hours
Due: 17:00 17/09/2021
Weighting: 30%
Students will select an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) to review. They will need to identify the strengths and weaknesses of the EIA and recommend areas for improvement. 1500 words
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Critically evaluate Environmental Impact Statements from the perspective of different knowledge systems.
- Evaluate, and propose improvements to, the design of Environmental Impact Assessment systems for development projects
Indigenous understandings of environmental health and well-being
Assessment Type 1: Report
Indicative Time on Task 2: 50 hours
Due: 17:00 05/11/2021
Weighting: 55%
Focusing on a case study, students will discuss Indigenous understandings of environmental health and well-being and make a case for how these understandings should be recognised and valued in governance and planning systems. 3000 words
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Critically evaluate Environmental Impact Statements from the perspective of different knowledge systems.
- Scope environmental impacts through the lens of Indigenous governance and planning processes
- Analyse the social justice implications of Environmental Impact Assessment processes adopted in different nations
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
GEOP8060 will be delivered during 5 compulsory, full day (10am-4pm), face to face, on-campus workshops (weeks 1, 3, 6, 8, 11). There is no online alternative for these workshops. Students need to attend all 5 workshops to successfully complete the unit. If circumstances change due to COVID please see the iLearn website for instructions.
It is essential that you complete all the preparation activities prior to the workshop so you can full participate and contribute to workshop activities.
All learning material for this unit will be available via the iLearn website.
Technology used and required
Students need access to a computer and basic office software (eg. Microsoft Office or OpenOffice), and course web pages to complete assessment tasks.
Using the iLearn site
The Unit's iLearn site (available via https://ilearn.mq.edu.au) is fundamental to delivery of the Unit.
Unit Schedule
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Week 1, Fri 30 July |
Workshop 1: What is Environmental Impact Assessment: history and context |
Preparation tasks: none |
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Week 3, Fri 13 August |
Workshop 2: Rethinking EIA
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Preparation tasks: See iLearn for preparation tasks |
Quiz 1 (5%) Quiz opens: 9am Friday 6 August Quiz closes: 9am Friday 13 August |
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Week 6, Fri 3 Sept |
Workshop 3: EIA in practice |
Preparation tasks: See iLearn for preparation tasks |
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Semester break |
Report 1: Review of an EIA (30%) Due 5pm Friday 17 September |
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Week 8, Fri 1 October |
Workshop 4: Caring as Country
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Preparation tasks: See iLearn for preparation tasks |
Quiz 2 (5%) Quiz opens: 9am Friday 24 September Quiz closes: 9am Friday 1 October |
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Week 11, Fri 22 October |
Workshop 5: Reclaiming Indigenous planning |
Preparation tasks: See iLearn for preparation tasks |
Quiz 3 (5%) Quiz opens: 9am Friday 15 October Quiz closes: 9am Friday 22 October |
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Week 13 |
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Report 2: Indigenous understandings of environmental health and well-being (55%) Due 5pm Friday 5 November |
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.
Unit information based on version 2021.02 of the Handbook