Students
SSCI1030 – Hope in the Climate Crisis
2025 – Session 1, Online-flexible
General Information
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| Unit convenor and teaching staff |
Unit convenor and teaching staff
Convenor/Lecturer/Tutor
Prof Donna Houston
Contact via Email
Please email me to make an appointment
Convenor/Lecturer/Tutor
Prof Andrew McGregor
Contact via Email
Please email me to make an appointment
Lecturer/Tutor
Dr Phoebe Everingham
Contact via Email
Please email me to make an appointment
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| Credit points |
Credit points
10
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| Prerequisites |
Prerequisites
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| Corequisites |
Corequisites
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| Co-badged status |
Co-badged status
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| Unit description |
Unit description
Climate change is underway, and it is common to feel overwhelmed by the seemingly insurmountable challenges ahead. Amidst the pessimism, there are hopeful and sustainable possibilities for both people and planet. This unit equips students with a foundational understanding of interdisciplinary climate change studies via an introduction to the socio-ecological responses aimed at climate action and repair. Students will encounter transformative ideas and practices that reconsider the relationships between humans and more-than-human worlds, including Indigenous and decolonial perspectives. By examining how hope can be mobilised to address looming environmental challenges, students will develop a crucial understanding of how individuals, communities and organisations collectively contribute to positive changes in a time of climate crisis. |
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: Explore and describe the socio-ecological dimensions of climate change.
- ULO2: Identify and analyse diverse, innovative and hopeful approaches to climate change.
- ULO3: Describe examples of Indigenous and decolonial perspectives on climate change and repair.
- ULO4: Propose and communicate persuasive stories about actions to address climate change.
General Assessment Information
Where can you find more information about the assessment?
Please consult the folder in the SSCI1030 iLearn page labelled 'Assessment'. Here you will find more detailed instructions for each assessment item, marking criteria and rubrics. The assessment folder contains links to useful resources and guides. You are encouraged to post questions about assignments in the General Discussion Forum on the main iLearn page.
Submitting your assignments
Unless otherwise specified, you are required to submit your assignments by the time and date provided in this Unit Guide via the Turnitin link provided in iLearn. Please keep an electronic copy of your assignment and a record of your submission for reference.
Late assessment penalty
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-timed 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 marks and feedback
Individual marks and feedback to students will be provided via Turnitin. Feedback will include the rubric, intext comments and general feedback. You are encouraged to utilise these resources to develop your skills in subsequent assessments.
Assessment Tasks
| Name | Weighting | Hurdle | Due |
|---|---|---|---|
| Scoping document | 30% | No | 30/03/2025 |
| Creative project | 40% | No | 25/05/2025 |
| Reflective writing | 30% | No | 08/06/2025 |
Scoping document
Assessment Type 1: Essay
Indicative Time on Task 2: 20 hours
Due: 30/03/2025
Weighting: 30%
A scoping document on a climate topic.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Explore and describe the socio-ecological dimensions of climate change.
- Identify and analyse diverse, innovative and hopeful approaches to climate change.
Creative project
Assessment Type 1: Creative work
Indicative Time on Task 2: 30 hours
Due: 25/05/2025
Weighting: 40%
A creative work on hope in the climate crisis.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Explore and describe the socio-ecological dimensions of climate change.
- Identify and analyse diverse, innovative and hopeful approaches to climate change.
- Describe examples of Indigenous and decolonial perspectives on climate change and repair.
- Propose and communicate persuasive stories about actions to address climate change.
Reflective writing
Assessment Type 1: Reflective Writing
Indicative Time on Task 2: 10 hours
Due: 08/06/2025
Weighting: 30%
Reflective writing on hopeful climate practice.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Identify and analyse diverse, innovative and hopeful approaches to climate change.
- Describe examples of Indigenous and decolonial perspectives on climate change and repair.
- Propose and communicate persuasive stories about actions to address 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
SSCI1030 is available as in person/ on-campus (internal) or online-flexible (external) offerings depending on the stream you have enrolled in.
For on-campus students the unit is delivered as a 3 hour lecture/workshop. The classes comprise a mix of lecture, structured activities, small group work, student and guest presentations and discussion of the weekly readings. Some class time will be set aside for assignment preparation, individually and in groups. We encourage on-campus students to reguarly attend class as workshop activities are linked to the assessment.
Online flexible (external) students will have access to the recorded lecture material in Echo360 and resources and activities are available each week on iLearn under the label "Online-flexible option". These activities are self directed and it is up to individual students to manage their time to undertake the work. We encourage online-flexible students to reguarly engage with the weekly activities as they are linked to the assessment.
Unit readings can be accessed via Leganto. The Leganto link is located in the top right panel of the SSCI1030 iLearn main page. Please contact the Unit Convenors if you are having trouble accessing the readings as they are essential to your assignments and to the class discussions.
The SSCI1030 iLearn page contains additional resources which will be added to the site throughout the semester. Please make sure that you regularly check the iLearn page and your Macquarie University student email for updates and information regarding this unit.
Unit Schedule
Each weekly topic is structured around a question which will be explored in the lecture and workshop activities.
Week 1. Introduction - why is climate change a social issue?
Week 2. Storying climates 1 - why do stories matter to climate change?
Week 3. Storying climates 2 - what is climate justice?
Week 4. Decolonising climates 1 - what do decolonial approaches to climate change mean in Australia?
Week 5. Decolonising climates 2 - how can we think otherwise about climate change?
Week 6. Climate actions 1 - can climate change be solved by markets?
Week 7. Climate actions 2 - can climate change be solved by technology?
Week 8. Climate actions 3 - can climate change by solved by governments?
Week 9. Climate actions 4 - can climate change be solved by activists?
Week 10. Creative actions 1 - can climate change be solved by artists?
Week 11. Creative actions 2 - how do we advocate for a better climate future?
Week 12. Just transitions - what are the key components of a just transition?
Week 13. Reflections - what is hope in the climate crisis?
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 2025.03 of the Handbook