Students

GEOX8010 – Social Impact Assessment

2024 – Session 2, Online-flexible

General Information

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Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit convenor and teaching staff
Alison Ziller
alison.ziller@mq.edu.au
Marker
Gemma Viney
gemma.viney@mq.edu.au
Credit points Credit points
10
Prerequisites Prerequisites
Admission to MPASR (OUA) or GradDipPASR (OUA) or MPSP (OUA)
Corequisites Corequisites
Co-badged status Co-badged status
GEOP8010
Unit description Unit description

Social impact assessment (SIA) is an important assessment tool which applies social science methodologies to the evaluation of a wide range of public policy proposals, including those relating to land use planning, social policies and public health. This unit addresses the theory and methods of SIA, discusses the public policy processes which use this assessment, and applies a critical perspective to the ethical dilemmas facing the SIA practitioner. There is a practical focus to the course work through the use of current case studies, and this provides students with an insight into pressures and political difficulties frequently encountered. Students will learn how to recognise and respond to these problems, and present issues to non-specialist audiences. All enrolment queries should be directed to Open Universities Australia (OUA): see www.open.edu.au

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: Explain the theory underpinning SIA and its role and use in practice
  • ULO2: Recognise key social impact issues that occur in land use development and public policy assessment
  • ULO3: Apply knowledge and key concepts from social impact assessment to critical evaluation of planning and policy decisions
  • ULO4: Identify and discuss ways of integrating social issues into public sector discourse and practice
  • ULO5: Research and discuss complex ideas about social change, social process and assessment of social impacts
  • ULO6: Recognise ethical issues and risks in evaluation and impact assessment

General Assessment Information

All assignments are in written form and must be submitted via Turn-it-In. Relevant readings and other source materials, detailed assessment descriptions and assessment criteria are provided.  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 written assessments is set at 11.55pm. A 1-hour grace period is provided to students who experience a technical issue. This late penalty will apply to non-time sensitive assessment (incl. essays, reports, posters, portfolios, journals, recordings etc). Late submission of time sensitive tasks (such as tests/exams, 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
Research essay 30% No 30 August 2024
Critique of a case study 40% No 11 October 2024
Visual representation of key SIA issues 30% No 1 November 2024

Research essay

Assessment Type 1: Essay
Indicative Time on Task 2: 30 hours
Due: 30 August 2024
Weighting: 30%

1500 word research essay drawing on academic and grey literature to explain social impact issues raised by a proposed project or policy
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Explain the theory underpinning SIA and its role and use in practice
  • Recognise key social impact issues that occur in land use development and public policy assessment

Critique of a case study

Assessment Type 1: Case study/analysis
Indicative Time on Task 2: 40 hours
Due: 11 October 2024
Weighting: 40%

2000 word critical review of a social impact assessment or similar document
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Apply knowledge and key concepts from social impact assessment to critical evaluation of planning and policy decisions
  • Identify and discuss ways of integrating social issues into public sector discourse and practice
  • Research and discuss complex ideas about social change, social process and assessment of social impacts
  • Recognise ethical issues and risks in evaluation and impact assessment

Visual representation of key SIA issues

Assessment Type 1: Practice-based task
Indicative Time on Task 2: 20 hours
Due: 1 November 2024
Weighting: 30%

Visual representation of social impact issues in a form suited to an identified audience with 600 words accompanying written commentary
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Identify and discuss ways of integrating social issues into public sector discourse and practice
  • Research and discuss complex ideas about social change, social process and assessment of social impacts
  • Recognise ethical issues and risks in evaluation and impact assessment

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 via classroom lectures with accompanying tutorial activities.  Lecture recordings may be accessed via the Echo system.  Online students are encouraged to undertake the practice activites associated with each lecture. 

A weekly reading list is provided.

Unit Schedule

Week

Theme

Topic

1

Introduction

Foundation issues for SIA: Language

 

Spin and substantiation: practice analysis for Assignment 1

2

Foundation issues for SIA: Scope

Public health; the foundation issue for SIA

3

Foundation issues for SIA: Space

Spatiality Defining locality

4

Methodological issues for SIA: Avoidance strategies 1

The method The focus on process  

5

Methodological issues for SIA: Avoidance strategies 2

Consultation as scam Identifying social issues for Assignment 2

6

Methodological issues for SIA: Avoidance strategies 3

Questionnaire design basics: Workshop for Assignment 2

7

SIA and public policy 1:

Liquor licensing

 

Recess 16-29 September

 

8

SIA and public policy 2:

Resource extraction

9

Methodological issues for SIA: Avoidance strategies 4

Common errors in SIA Survey design piloting workshop

10

Methodological issues for SIA: Avoidance strategies 5

SIMPS and conditions of consent

11

SIA and public policy 3:

Social infrastructure for small areas Workshop for Assignment 3

12

SIA and public policy 4 :

Failures of foresight Undue influence and regulatory capture

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 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.

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 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 2024.01R of the Handbook