Students
ENVS8525 – Sustainability and Transitions
2022 – Session 1, In person-scheduled-weekday, North Ryde
General Information
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| Unit convenor and teaching staff |
Unit convenor and teaching staff
Peter Davies
|
|---|---|
| Credit points |
Credit points
10
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| Prerequisites |
Prerequisites
Admission to MEnvEd or MSc or MEngMgt or MEnvMgt or MEnvStud or MSusDev or MEnvPlan or MPlan or MDevCult or MIntRel or MEnv or MPPP or MSocEntre or GradDipEnv or GradCertEnv or GradCertSusDev or GradDipSusDev or GradDipIntRel or MPH or MDevStud or GradCertDevStudGlobalHlth or MTransInterMIntRel or MMarScMgt or GradCertSocEntre or MEngEnvSafetyEng or MScInnovationEnvSc
|
| Corequisites |
Corequisites
|
| Co-badged status |
Co-badged status
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| Unit description |
Unit description
This unit examines the origins, issues, policies, principles and processes of sustainable development (SD) and transition theories. Students are engaged in a process of identifying how sustainable development principles are interpreted in practice in different sectors including in national frameworks, local government and business and how these relate to social, environmental, economic and governance transitions. The unit involves the students in analysis of the theoretical, ideological and value bases of SD and a critical appraisal of the policy and practical approaches that exist, are emerging and required to support a transition towards sustainability. |
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: Demonstrate a knowledge of the Goals, their role in sustainable development and generate applications to policy/ practice.
- ULO2: Articulate a position on 'sustainable development' and explain the bases for contestation
- ULO3: Apply critical and analytical skills to policies, strategies and practices to bring about change for sustainable development
- ULO4: Research sustainable development practice with key stakeholders, analyse findings and reflectively report on the findings and research process
- ULO5: Communicate and present findings in different forms including multimedia, and cogent, structured reports, addressing defined issues
General Assessment Information
General Faculty Policy on assessment submission deadlines and late submissions:
Online quizzes, in-class activities, or scheduled tests and exam must be undertaken at the time indicated in the unit guide. Should these activities be missed due to illness or misadventure, students may apply for Special Consideration.
All other assessments must be submitted by 5:00 pm on their due date. Should these assessments be missed due to illness or misadventure, students should apply for Special Consideration.
Assessments not submitted by the due date will receive a mark of zero unless late submissions are specifically allowed as indicated in the unit guide or on iLearn.
If late submissions are permitted as indicated in the unit guide or on iLearn a consistent penalty will be applied for late submissions as follows:
A 12-hour grace period will be given after which the following deductions will be applied to the awarded assessment mark: 12 to 24 hours late = 10% deduction; for each day thereafter, an additional 10% per day or part thereof will be applied until five days beyond the due date. After this time, a mark of zero (0) will be given. For example, an assessment worth 20% is due 5 pm on 1 January. Student A submits the assessment at 1 pm, 3 January. The assessment received a mark of 15/20. A 20% deduction is then applied to the mark of 15, resulting in the loss of three (3) marks. Student A is then awarded a final mark of 12/20.
Off-shore students
Off-shore students must email the convenor as soon as possible to discuss study options.
Assessment Tasks
| Name | Weighting | Hurdle | Due |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sustainable Development Goal presentation | 10% | No | 07/03/2022 |
| An aspect of contention on sustainable development | 25% | No | 03/04/2022 |
| Analysis of a sustainable development topic | 30% | No | 25/04/2022 |
| Research report of practice for sustainable development and reflection | 35% | No | 23/05/2022 |
Sustainable Development Goal presentation
Assessment Type 1: Presentation
Indicative Time on Task 2: 11 hours
Due: 07/03/2022
Weighting: 10%
Goal, interdependence, trigger for discussion; in a particular context
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Demonstrate a knowledge of the Goals, their role in sustainable development and generate applications to policy/ practice.
- Apply critical and analytical skills to policies, strategies and practices to bring about change for sustainable development
- Communicate and present findings in different forms including multimedia, and cogent, structured reports, addressing defined issues
An aspect of contention on sustainable development
Assessment Type 1: Essay
Indicative Time on Task 2: 27 hours
Due: 03/04/2022
Weighting: 25%
Critical analysis
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Articulate a position on 'sustainable development' and explain the bases for contestation
- Apply critical and analytical skills to policies, strategies and practices to bring about change for sustainable development
- Research sustainable development practice with key stakeholders, analyse findings and reflectively report on the findings and research process
- Communicate and present findings in different forms including multimedia, and cogent, structured reports, addressing defined issues
Analysis of a sustainable development topic
Assessment Type 1: Report
Indicative Time on Task 2: 32 hours
Due: 25/04/2022
Weighting: 30%
critical analysis to recommend how to progress a sustainable development issue
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Demonstrate a knowledge of the Goals, their role in sustainable development and generate applications to policy/ practice.
- Apply critical and analytical skills to policies, strategies and practices to bring about change for sustainable development
- Communicate and present findings in different forms including multimedia, and cogent, structured reports, addressing defined issues
Research report of practice for sustainable development and reflection
Assessment Type 1: Practice-based task
Indicative Time on Task 2: 37 hours
Due: 23/05/2022
Weighting: 35%
A group-based task to prepare a report related to a sustainability topic
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Apply critical and analytical skills to policies, strategies and practices to bring about change for sustainable development
- Research sustainable development practice with key stakeholders, analyse findings and reflectively report on the findings and research process
- Communicate and present findings in different forms including multimedia, and cogent, structured reports, addressing defined issues
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
This unit is delivered in person and all materials are sessions are recorded on Zoom. This will enable students to catch up on lectures and tutorials where they are unable to attend in person.
Classes: Alternative Mondays 9:00AM – 4:00PM (see Unit Schedule below for dates)
Location: 11 Wally’s Walk 150 Tutorial Room
https://www.mq.edu.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0016/108142/Campus-Map.pdf
COVID Information and on-campus classes
On-campus teaching continues to be scheduled for Session 1, 2022. Masks are compulsory for all classes in indoor spaces and social distancing will be implemented wherever possible. Students will also be required to sanitise surfaces before and after use.
Students are requested to minimise the risk of spreading COVID to themselves and others in accordance with the university and NSW Health guidelines: https://www.mq.edu.au/about/coronavirus-faqs and https://www.nsw.gov.au/covid-19/stay-safe.
Any further requirements or changes to units in relation to COVID will be communicated to students via iLearn.
Unit Schedule
|
Week |
Monday |
Focus (1) |
Activity |
Assessment and due date (2) |
|
1 |
21 Feb |
Introduction to the unit History of sustainable development Key theories and UNSDGs |
Understanding SDGs: values and actions MQ Campus and sustainability |
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2 |
28 Feb |
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3 |
7 March |
Environmental law and governance and the SDGs
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Student presentations (Assessment 1). This is a compulsory assessable task., |
Assessment 1 (presentation + written component submitted to iLearn) |
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4 |
14 March |
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5 |
21 March |
Transition theories and models Science to policy transfer |
Overcoming path dependencies Report writing How to get policy traction |
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6 |
28 March |
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Assessment 2 (essay) 3 April
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7 |
4 April |
Resilience planning and practice (including guest presentations by |
Resilience planning: what matters and how to address it? |
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Break |
11 April |
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Easter 17 April |
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Break |
18 April |
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8 |
25 April |
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Assessment 3 (policy report) |
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9 |
2 May |
Field Trip TBC or in class presentations and workshops |
Industry perspectives on sustainable development |
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10 |
9 May |
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11 |
16 May |
SD and behaviour change |
Group presentations on Resilience strategy |
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12 |
23 May |
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Assessment 4 (Resilience group project)
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13 |
30 June |
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Notes:
1. Lectures and workshops will be delivered in-class and will be available on Zoom
2. Assessments are due 5:00 PM on the due date (refer to the unit guide for assessment details and late penalties)
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
- Assessment Procedure
- Complaints Resolution 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
Academic Integrity
At Macquarie, we believe academic integrity – honesty, respect, trust, responsibility, fairness and courage – is at the core of learning, teaching and research. We recognise that meeting the expectations required to complete your assessments can be challenging. So, we offer you a range of resources and services to help you reach your potential, including free online writing and maths support, academic skills development and wellbeing consultations.
Student Support
Macquarie University provides a range of support services for students. For details, visit http://students.mq.edu.au/support/
The Writing Centre
The Writing Centre provides resources to develop your English language proficiency, academic writing, and communication skills.
- Workshops
- Chat with a WriteWISE peer writing leader
- Access StudyWISE
- Upload an assignment to Studiosity
- Complete the Academic Integrity Module
The Library provides online and face to face support to help you find and use relevant information resources.
Student Services and Support
Macquarie University offers a range of Student Support Services including:
- IT Support
- Accessibility and disability support with study
- Mental health support
- Safety support to respond to bullying, harassment, sexual harassment and sexual assault
- Social support including information about finances, tenancy and legal issues
Student Enquiries
Got a question? Ask us via AskMQ, or contact Service Connect.
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 2022.05 of the Handbook