Unit convenor and teaching staff |
Unit convenor and teaching staff
Unit Convenor
Fiona Miller
Contact via Email
W3A 426
By appointment only
Tutor, marker
Lara Mottee
Contact via Email
By appointment only
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Credit points |
Credit points
4
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Prerequisites |
Prerequisites
Admission to MRes
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Corequisites |
Corequisites
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Co-badged status |
Co-badged status
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Unit description |
Unit description
Social impact assessment is a key tool in managing development in multicultural environments where stakeholders have different views of the world. Social impact assessment is a form of applied social science research. Using case studies of resource projects, major infrastructure developments, native title, post-disaster recovery and climate change adaptation this unit develops conceptual, methodological and practical skills relevant to government, community and private sectors. Students will examine several major social impact studies and native title negotiations.
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Information about important academic dates including deadlines for withdrawing from units are available at https://www.mq.edu.au/study/calendar-of-dates
On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:
Assignment Submission
To successfully complete GEOP702 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 four assessment tasks.
All students must keep an electronic copy of all assignments (preferably as a PDF) submitted for assessment.
All assignments must be submitted via Turnitin. You will be able to access the result of the Turnitin scan and be able to review your assignments in light of this result. Not everything that Turnitin picks up as comparable to other work is plagiarised. Use this process constructively to ensure you are referencing correctly and effectively. Instructions for submitting assignment to Turnitin can be found at: http://mq.edu.au/iLearn/student_info/assignments.htm
Late Penalties and Grading
Unless a Special Consideration request has been submitted and approved,
(a) a penalty for lateness will apply – two (2) marks out of 100 will be deducted per day for assignments submitted after the due date – and
(b) no assignment will be accepted more than seven (7) days (incl. weekends) after the original submission deadline. No late submissions will be accepted for timed assessments – e.g. quizzes, online tests.
Each assignment will be marked and commented upon before it is returned to you. The mark will be in the form of a graded letter and as consistent with University policy.
Further Guidance on Assessments
Rubrics and marking criteria for all assessments, as well as some samples of assessments, will be available on iLearn.
Name | Weighting | Hurdle | Due |
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Key Issues Summary | 20% | No | 19/08/2018 (midnight) |
Tutorial Presentation | 10% | No | Weeks 3-11 |
Research Methods Paper | 25% | No | Weeks 4-12 |
Research Essay Outline (A) | 0% | No | 14/10/18 (midnight) |
Research Essay (B) | 35% | No | 4/11/18 (midnight) |
Active Participation | 10% | No | Weeks 1-13 |
Due: 19/08/2018 (midnight)
Weighting: 20%
Write a (1000 word) review of the readings for weeks 1-3 and the introductory lectures. Your review should identify key themes in the literature and relate those themes to your own learning objectives in the unit and fields of interest/professional practice.
The purpose of this assessment task is to ensure that you understand the history, purpose and principles underpinning Social Impact Assessment. You are required to demonstrate a critical understanding of the introductory readings and lectures, the issues they raise and the relevance of these issues to your own learning objectives in the unit and fields of interest/professional practice. This assessment aims to provide you with a clear overview of SIA and how it relates to your own learning objectives.
Due: Weeks 3-11
Weighting: 10%
Students are required to work in groups to prepare an oral presentation and lead a tutorial discussion on a specific tutorial topic. You will nominate your preferred tutorial (Weeks 3 -11) in Week 1. For external students the ‘oral’ presentation will take the form of an online posting on iLearn and leadership of online discussion.
In every tutorial session all students (including external students) are expected to prepare by reading at least 2-3 papers per week. The role of the student(s) leading the tutorial class is not to summarise papers that everyone should have read for themselves, but to lead a discussion on the issues raised in the papers. Presentations for the whole group should not exceed 30 minutes maximum!
It is recognised that as adult learners students bring a range of experiences and insights to the task of understanding SIA and cross-cultural negotiation, and that a wide range of fields of practice are implicated. Co-presenters should work together to present stimulating and provocative discussion sessions (e.g. make use of powerpoint, discussion questions, videos, games, debates, scenarios, role plays, group activities). External students can make use of online tools such as Zoom to post video or audio files.
Of the 10% allocated for this task, half of the mark is allocated to the group as a whole and half is based on your individual contribution to the class presentation (or online presentation) and your ability to lead and encourage discussion in class (or online). Students who fail to make an active contribution to the presentation or in the case of external students make an online posting will receive a Fail for this task.
Due: Weeks 4-12
Weighting: 25%
Write a 1500 word paper that focuses on a particular aspect of research methods associated with Social Impact Assessment and relates the readings, discussion and your own understanding of the issues raised to the the question of: what constitutes 'good practice' in SIA research methods?
The purpose of this assessment task is to allow each student to demonstrate a deeper understanding of research methods related to a particular aspect of SIA covered by the unit and how engagement with this topic can inform an understanding of 'good practice' in SIA. Your tutorial paper should reflect upon your tutorial presentation and be responsive to the class/online discussion as well as engaging with the literature.
This assignment is due before midnight on the Monday night the week following your tutorial presentation. So if you present on Monday of Week 4, the assignment is due by midnight Monday of Week 5.
Due: 14/10/18 (midnight)
Weighting: 0%
Students must submit a brief outline of their proposed SIA, topic and approach to the essay (max. one paragraph) to the convenor by 14 October to receive early feedback on the appropriateness of their case study.
Due: 4/11/18 (midnight)
Weighting: 35%
Choose one of the following (5) topics, undertake research on the topic and write a case study-based essay (3000 words) on your research that addresses the question: What conceptual, methodological and practical considerations need to be taken into account in the conduct of SIA in order to achieve more sustainable and equitable outcomes for different stakeholders? Illustrate your argument with reference to a case study of an SIA undertaken in a cross-cultural context.
The purpose of this assessment is to apply your understanding of SIA in cross-cultural settings, as well as demonstrate an understanding of the principles and practices associated with more negotiated approaches to SIA, through a research-based case study essay. You will select a topic, identify an example of an SIA related to that topic and present related evidence to the topic. The target is to produce work of publishable quality.
Examples of SIAs suitable for this research essay can be found in the SIA Library in Mendeley. See iLearn site for links.
This assessment task is in two parts. Students must submit Part A (see above) before they are able to submit Part B, even though no mark is given for Part A. Students must include a brief explanation of how they have incorporated feedback from Part A and on their previous assessment/s into this assessment task.
Due: Weeks 1-13
Weighting: 10%
For internally enrolled students, class attendance is compulsory and the roll will be marked. Students must come to class prepared every week ready to discuss the essential readings, as you may be called upon to discuss and reflect upon any one of these readings in any given week. We will also have class activities based on the readings, so it is necessary to come prepared.
For external students, it is expected that they will make regular postings (150-300 words) on the unit’s iLearn website in response to the questions posted by the convenor or lead discussant, others’ comments and the readings.
Study Modes
This unit is available in both internal and external study modes. Internal students attend a three-hour weekly class on Mondays 2:00pm - 5:00pm in 9WW 131 (E6A). Classes will run as a combination of both lectures and student-led tutorial sessions as indicated in the class schedule. All internal students are expected to attend all classes and the roll will be taken as part of the determination of your participation mark. External students will be expected to access recordings of the sessions online via iLearn and participate in weekly discussions through contribution of brief postings and responses to others' postings. There is an on-campus session, which will run on Saturday 18/08/17 (10.00am-4.00pm) in 12SW301. External students are strongly encouraged to attend.
Workload Expectation
GEOP702 uses a combination of lecture 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 classroom and online discussions. Internal students are expected to attend all classes and external students are expected to routinely access material online each week. All students are required to complete all the required assessment set for the unit.
The credit point value of a unit reflects the amount of work required. Each credit point roughly corresponds to about three hours per week (including class contact hours). GEOP702 is a 4 credit point unit, so you should therefore expect to spend about 12 hours each week on it. The expected hours per credit point per week is over the 15 weeks of the session - the 13 weeks of classes PLUS the two weeks of the mid-session break. If you are unable to make this commitment to your study, then you should reconsider your decision to enrol – or reassess your priorities.
Technology Used and Required
GEOP702 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 immediately before each lecture. Digital audio recordings of the lectures will be available via Echo360 linked to the unit’s iLearn site. External students are also encouraged to use Zoom for tutorial presentations.
UNIT SCHEDULE – S2, 2018
Week |
Week Beginning |
Lecturer |
Lecture Title |
Tutorial Topic |
MODULE I - INTRODUCTION TO SIA |
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1 |
30/7 |
FM |
Introduction and scope of the unit Overview of SIA in cross-cultural contexts |
Introduction to and overview of SIA 2 hour lecture session (No tutorial – reading time)
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MODULE II - METHODS AND CONCEPTS FOR CROSS-CULTURAL SIA |
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2 |
6/8 |
FM |
Key moments in SIA Paradigms, theories, methods and practices in SIA Discussion of Assessment Task 1 |
Dominant and dissident paradigms in SIA In-class tutorial
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3 |
13/8 |
FM |
SIA, Indigenous peoples and the Global South *Mendeley training session *Assessment Task 1 due 19/8 |
SIA in cross-cultural settings: negotiation-based approaches to social change Student-led tutorial
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18/8 Sat |
FM |
On-campus Session for External Students
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Negotiation and its problems Negotiating Water Role Play Negotiating SIA outcomes Discussion of assessment tasks |
4 |
20/8 |
JR |
Critical skills and negotiation in cross-cultural SIA *Mendeley training session Discussion of Assessment Tasks 2 and 3 |
Challenges and opportunities of multicultural environments Student-led tutorial
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MODULE III - SIA CASE STUDIES AND PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE |
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5 |
27/8 |
FM |
Assessing infrastructure and resource projects
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Negotiating social change in cross-cultural settings Student-led tutorial |
6 |
3/9 |
FM |
Negotiating impacts (Negotiating Water Role Play) |
3 hour Role-Play Session (No tutorial) The Negotiating Water Role Play material should be read before class in preparation for this session. |
7 |
10/9 |
FM |
Forced displacement Discussion of Assessment Tasks 4 and 5 |
Forced displacement and compensation Student-led tutorial
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UNIVERSITY RECESS |
17/9-1/10: NO CLASSES |
8 |
1/10 Public holiday |
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No class, research time |
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9 |
8/10 |
FM |
SIA in Disaster Settings Library research skills training Assessment Task 4 due 14/10 |
Vulnerability, shocks and stresses Student-led tutorial
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10 |
15/10 |
Guest lecturer |
Guest lecturer Discussion of Assessment Task 3 |
Ethics in cross-cultural SIA Student-led tutorial
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11 |
22/10 |
Guest lecturer |
Guest lecturer |
Public participation: conceptual and methodological issues Student-led tutorial |
12 |
29/10 |
Guest lecturer |
Guest lecturer Assessment Task 5 due 4/11
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Justice and SIA In-class tutorial |
MOUDLE IV - LOOKING FORWARD |
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13 |
5/11 |
FM |
Summary and reflections: Towards SIA for Justice Unit review and evaluation |
No tutorial
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Macquarie University policies and procedures are accessible from Policy Central (https://staff.mq.edu.au/work/strategy-planning-and-governance/university-policies-and-procedures/policy-central). Students should be aware of the following policies in particular with regard to Learning and Teaching:
Undergraduate students seeking more policy resources can visit the Student Policy Gateway (https://students.mq.edu.au/support/study/student-policy-gateway). It is your one-stop-shop for the key policies you need to know about throughout your undergraduate student journey.
If you would like to see all the policies relevant to Learning and Teaching visit Policy Central (https://staff.mq.edu.au/work/strategy-planning-and-governance/university-policies-and-procedures/policy-central).
Macquarie University students have a responsibility to be familiar with the Student Code of Conduct: https://students.mq.edu.au/study/getting-started/student-conduct
Results shown in iLearn, 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.
Macquarie University provides a range of support services for students. For details, visit http://students.mq.edu.au/support/
Learning Skills (mq.edu.au/learningskills) provides academic writing resources and study strategies to improve your marks and take control of your study.
Students with a disability are encouraged to contact the Disability Service who can provide appropriate help with any issues that arise during their studies.
For all student enquiries, visit Student Connect at ask.mq.edu.au
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.
Our postgraduates will demonstrate a high standard of discernment and common sense in their professional and personal judgment. They will have the ability to make informed choices and decisions that reflect both the nature of their professional work and their personal perspectives.
This graduate capability is supported by:
Our postgraduates will be able to demonstrate a significantly enhanced depth and breadth of knowledge, scholarly understanding, and specific subject content knowledge in their chosen fields.
This graduate capability is supported by:
Our postgraduates will be capable of utilising and reflecting on prior knowledge and experience, of applying higher level critical thinking skills, and of integrating and synthesising learning and knowledge from a range of sources and environments. A characteristic of this form of thinking is the generation of new, professionally oriented knowledge through personal or group-based critique of practice and theory.
This graduate capability is supported by:
Our postgraduates will be capable of systematic enquiry; able to use research skills to create new knowledge that can be applied to real world issues, or contribute to a field of study or practice to enhance society. They will be capable of creative questioning, problem finding and problem solving.
This graduate capability is supported by:
Our postgraduates will be able to communicate effectively and convey their views to different social, cultural, and professional audiences. They will be able to use a variety of technologically supported media to communicate with empathy using a range of written, spoken or visual formats.
This graduate capability is supported by:
Our postgraduates will be ethically aware and capable of confident transformative action in relation to their professional responsibilities and the wider community. They will have a sense of connectedness with others and country and have a sense of mutual obligation. They will be able to appreciate the impact of their professional roles for social justice and inclusion related to national and global issues
This graduate capability is supported by:
This year some small changes have been made to the assessments, including an increase the weighting of the participation mark (to encourage class attendance and participation) and the introduction of a hurdle assignment (Part A) for the research essay, to encourage students to plan their essay early and to provide an opportunity for early feedback from the convenor to inform this major assessment task.