Students
GEOP2050 – Environment and Society
2024 – Session 1, Online-flexible
General Information
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| Unit convenor and teaching staff |
Unit convenor and teaching staff
Phoebe Everingham
|
|---|---|
| Credit points |
Credit points
10
|
| Prerequisites |
Prerequisites
40cp at 1000 level or above
|
| Corequisites |
Corequisites
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| Co-badged status |
Co-badged status
|
| Unit description |
Unit description
With an emphasis on the Australasian region, this exciting interdisciplinary unit explores how societies and ecologies are entwined and develops creative ways of approaching environmental dilemmas. Bringing together geographic perspectives from the sciences, social sciences, and humanities, it examines the concepts of environment, sustainability, and society, together with their past and possible future socio-political and economic framings. The historical and contemporary contexts of key environmental issues in Australia are explained along with their connections to global events and perspectives, including climate change, invasive species, water management, environmental protection movements, and links between consumption and production. Current planning frameworks and management processes, including legal and legislative mechanisms are also considered, along with emerging strategies and social movements that aim to address existing and expected problems. |
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 examine the mutually shaping forces of societies and ecologies in producing environmental dilemmas
- ULO2: Explain the significance of historical and contemporary contexts to environmental issues at different scales
- ULO3: Identify, and critically examine, key environmental issues
- ULO4: Evaluate and respond to diverse perspectives and approaches to environments, societies and sustainability
- ULO5: Engage with advanced concepts and academic texts
- ULO6: Assess, sort, and synthesise information in presentations, small group discussions, and written work
General Assessment Information
Unless a Special Consideration request has been submitted and approved, a 5% penalty (of the total possible mark) will be applied each day a written assessment is not submitted, up until the 7th day (including weekends). After the 7th day, a mark of ‘0’ (zero) will be awarded even if the assessment is submitted. Submission time for all non-timed written assessments (incl essays, reports, posters, portfolios, journals, recordings etc) is set at 11.55pm. A 1-hour grace period is provided to students who experience a technical issue. Late submission of time sensitive tasks (such as tests/exams/quizzes, performance assessments/presentations, scheduled practical assessments/labs etc) will only be addressed by the unit convenor in a Special consideration application. Special Consideration outcome may result in a new question or topic.
Assessment Tasks
| Name | Weighting | Hurdle | Due |
|---|---|---|---|
| Essay | 40% | No | 5th April |
| Facilitation | 25% | No | weeks 2-12 |
| Project | 35% | No | 24th May |
Essay
Assessment Type 1: Essay
Indicative Time on Task 2: 50 hours
Due: 5th April
Weighting: 40%
An essay that engages with key concepts from the unit and demonstrates independent research based on a topic provided. Word length: 2,000 words.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Critically examine the mutually shaping forces of societies and ecologies in producing environmental dilemmas
- Identify, and critically examine, key environmental issues
- Evaluate and respond to diverse perspectives and approaches to environments, societies and sustainability
- Engage with advanced concepts and academic texts
- Assess, sort, and synthesise information in presentations, small group discussions, and written work
Facilitation
Assessment Type 1: Facilitation
Indicative Time on Task 2: 11 hours
Due: weeks 2-12
Weighting: 25%
Undertake discussions and presentations based on unit readings. This will include each student leading the facilitation in a selected week and submitting a summary of the associated readings. All students are, however, expected to help facilitate the discussion each week.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Critically examine the mutually shaping forces of societies and ecologies in producing environmental dilemmas
- Explain the significance of historical and contemporary contexts to environmental issues at different scales
- Evaluate and respond to diverse perspectives and approaches to environments, societies and sustainability
- Engage with advanced concepts and academic texts
- Assess, sort, and synthesise information in presentations, small group discussions, and written work
Project
Assessment Type 1: Project
Indicative Time on Task 2: 30 hours
Due: 24th May
Weighting: 35%
Students will undertake a project on a contemporary environmental issue using multimedia tools.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Critically examine the mutually shaping forces of societies and ecologies in producing environmental dilemmas
- Explain the significance of historical and contemporary contexts to environmental issues at different scales
- Identify, and critically examine, key environmental issues
- Assess, sort, and synthesise information in presentations, small group discussions, and written work
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
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Unit Schedule
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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 connect.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 Advocacy provides independent advice on MQ policies, procedures, and processes
Student Enquiries
Got a question? Ask us via the Service Connect Portal, 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 2024.02 of the Handbook