Students

GEOP8040 – Climate Change and Society: Vulnerability, Adaptation and Transitions

2022 – Session 1, Online-flexible

General Information

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Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit convenor and teaching staff
Richard Carter-White
richard.carter-white@mq.edu.au
Credit points Credit points
10
Prerequisites Prerequisites
Admission to MEnv or MEnvEd or MEnvMgt or MEnvStud or MEnvPlan or MPlan or GradCertEnvPlan or MSusDev or MWldMgt or MPPP or GradDipEnv or GradCertEnv or GradCertSusDev or GradDipSusDev or MConsBiol or GradDipConsBiol or MDevStud or MMarScMgt or MSc in (Biodiversity Conservation or Remote Sensing and GIS)
Corequisites Corequisites
Co-badged status Co-badged status
Unit description Unit description

Climate change has wide reaching implications for society, with climate change responses shaped by diverse values, knowledge and power. This unit examines the uneven ways in which climate change affects society and current approaches to reduce vulnerability, implement adaptation and realise just transitions. The unit comprises four modules: climate-related vulnerability; climate change adaptation; loss and damage; and low-carbon transitions. Through engagement with a series of international, national, regional and urban case studies, students will gain an understanding of critical concepts, vulnerability assessment methods, and approaches to addressing the social dimensions of climate change in planning and management.

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 an advanced understanding of the social dimensions of climate change
  • ULO2: Critically analyse how planning can contribute to more equitable and just responses to climate change
  • ULO3: Identify and evaluate how diverse values, power and knowledge influence climate change issues and responses
  • ULO4: Synthesise and evaluate information related to the social dimensions of climate change

General Assessment Information

Lateness Submission Penalty

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.

To successfully pass GEOP8040 students must complete all assessment tasks. Failure to complete any single assessment task may result in failure of the unit. The final grade is based on the total mark accumulated from all assessment tasks.

All students must keep a clean electronic copy of all assignments (preferably as a PDF) submitted for assessment.

Assessment Tasks

Name Weighting Hurdle Due
Case study research essay 40% No 6/04/2022
Reflective journal of change 40% No 11/05/2022
Presentation on climate change and society 20% No Week 12/13

Case study research essay

Assessment Type 1: Essay
Indicative Time on Task 2: 30 hours
Due: 6/04/2022
Weighting: 40%

 

A 2500 word research essay exploring a case study of a particular climate change issue in the context of vulnerability, adaptation and transitions. The essay seeks to encourage students to apply critical theory to analyse the sustainable, ethical and justice dimensions of the case study.

 
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Demonstrate an advanced understanding of the social dimensions of climate change
  • Critically analyse how planning can contribute to more equitable and just responses to climate change
  • Identify and evaluate how diverse values, power and knowledge influence climate change issues and responses
  • Synthesise and evaluate information related to the social dimensions of climate change

Reflective journal of change

Assessment Type 1: Reflective Writing
Indicative Time on Task 2: 31 hours
Due: 11/05/2022
Weighting: 40%

 

Over the course of the unit students are asked to commit to making a change in one aspect of their life that contributes to improved outcomes in terms of climate change and society. Students will regularly contribute to a journal (1500 words) and discuss in class/online the personal, political and structural processes that enable and constrain their contribution to change.

 
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Demonstrate an advanced understanding of the social dimensions of climate change
  • Identify and evaluate how diverse values, power and knowledge influence climate change issues and responses

Presentation on climate change and society

Assessment Type 1: Presentation
Indicative Time on Task 2: 11 hours
Due: Week 12/13
Weighting: 20%

 

Based on readings, plus additional research, students will prepare and deliver a presentation on some aspect of climate change and society.

 
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Demonstrate an advanced understanding of the social dimensions of climate change
  • Critically analyse how planning can contribute to more equitable and just responses to climate change
  • Identify and evaluate how diverse values, power and knowledge influence climate change issues and responses
  • Synthesise and evaluate information related to the social dimensions of climate change

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 

The unit is structured around weekly themes. Each week students are expected to complete the assigned readings for that theme prior to class, and engage in discussions, activities and reflections to deepen their learning. The classes each week are approximately 3 hours long and involve a mix of activities including lectures, student-led workshops and discussion-based activities (debates, Q&A, role play). Classes are delivered online throughout the semester. Students are also expected to contribute brief postings online and to constructively engage with others' postings.

Workload Expectation 

GEOP8040 uses a combination of lectures and tutorial classes with a number of role-play and web-based learning opportunities. It is expected that all students in the unit will both participate and contribute to classes, including completing the required readings and participating in class discussions. Students are expected to frequently access material online and participate in online discussions.

Technology Used and Required 

GEOP8040 provides all students with significant web-based support using iLearn, Macquarie University’s learning management system. If you need help with iLearn please refer to http://www.mq.edu.au/iLearn/student_info/index.htm or contact the unit convenor as soon as possible. The unit website will be maintained regularly, providing you with copies of lecture PowerPoint slides and digital audio recordings of the lectures via Echo360. The unit's readings are accessed via Leganto.

Unit Schedule

GEOP8040 consists of the following modules:

1. Introduction to climate change and society

2. Environmental extremes and vulnerability

3. Adaptations

4. Transitions

5. Review and conclusion

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

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.

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:

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 2022.02 of the Handbook