Students
GEOP604 – Environment and Society
2019 – S2 Day
General Information
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| Unit convenor and teaching staff |
Unit convenor and teaching staff
Unit Convenor
Emily O'Gorman
Contact via email
6 First Walk, 420
email for appointment
Tutor
Tasmin-Lara Dilworth
Contact via email
email for appointment
Tutor
Sara Judge
Contact via email
email for appointment
Tutor
Milena Bojovic
Contact via email
email for appointment
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| Credit points |
Credit points
4
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| Prerequisites |
Prerequisites
Admission to MEnv or MEnvPlan or MPlan or GradDipEnv or GradCertEnv or MSusDev or GradDipSusDev or GradCertSusDev
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| Corequisites |
Corequisites
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| Co-badged status |
Co-badged status
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| Unit description |
Unit description
This unit is for students from non-cognate disciplines interested in pursuing postgraduate research in environment and sustainability. These units introduce students to core environmental concepts and topics by enabling them to participate in selected undergraduate units. This unit explores human impacts, attitudes and relationships with the environment. The unit is accessible for students with a broad range of backgrounds, and develops foundational knowledge and skills relating to environment and sustainability in order to facilitate higher level studies.
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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:
- Understand the mutually shaping forces of societies and ecologies in producing environmental dilemmas
- Understand some of the main historical and contemporary contexts of environmental issues in Australia and their connection to global events and perspectives
- Identify, and critically examine, key environmental issues
- Be prepared and able to respond to diverse perspectives and approaches to environments, societies and sustainability
- Understand and evaluate advanced concepts and academic texts
- Assess, sort, and synthesise information in oral presentations, small group discussions, and written work
- Be able to critically evaluate management options for addressing environmental, social and sustainability challenges
General Assessment Information
SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS
All assignments are to be submitted via Turnitin, the university online submission and marking system - found as a link in iLearn. Turnitin includes Grademark, a paperless grading system where your assignments are marked by staff online. Submissions are also checked for plagiarism by Turnitin. Turnitin automatically compares your work to the work of your classmates, previous students and material available on the internet. Hard copies of assignments are no longer accepted and will not be marked.
For more information on Turnitin and Grademark:
http://mq.edu.au/iLearn/student_info/assignments.htm
DEADLINES, EXTENSIONS AND PENALTIES
Deadlines set for assignment submissions will not be altered except in exceptional circumstances. In all cases, extensions must be supported with appropriate documentation (medical certificate, counsellor's certificate, statutory declaration). All extensions must be applied for and granted through the special consideration process. See the Special Consideration Policy https://students.mq.edu.au/study/my-study-program/special-consideration
Extensions will not be granted in cases of poor time management. Only the Unit Convenor can authorise extensions.
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 seven (7) days (incl. weekends) after the original submission deadline. No late submissions will be accepted for timed assessments – e.g. quizzes, online tests.
Students who fail to complete and submit ALL assignments for the Unit may not receive enough marks to pass the unit”. Penalties will also be incurred for plagiarism, that is, the use of another persons’ work and presentation as your own (see University Policies and http://www.mq.edu.au/policy/docs/academic_honesty/policy.html).
GRADING
Each assignment will be marked, commented upon and returned to you via Turnitin and Grademark. Grading is conducted in line with the universities grading policy (http://www.mq.edu.au/policy/docs/grading/policy.html)
Assessment Tasks
| Name | Weighting | Hurdle | Due |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tutorial Facilitation | 15% | No | Weeks 2 - 12 tutorial sessions |
| Literature Review Essay | 35% | No | 5pm, Friday 13 September 2019 |
| Oral Presentation | 20% | No | Weeks 10-12 tutorial sessions |
| Final Exam | 30% | No | TBA |
Tutorial Facilitation
Due: Weeks 2 - 12 tutorial sessions
Weighting: 15%
Task: Facilitate tutorials by reading the assigned readings and presenting one of them if requested
For each week’s tutorial you need to read the two assigned readings, which are the basis of group discussions and other tutorial activities. The readings will be posted on the Unit's iLean site. Be prepared to present each of them to the class if called on by the tutor. In each week’s tutorial, two people will be selected randomly to present a brief (5 minutes) summary of one of the assigned readings and to facilitate a class discussion. You will not be allowed to use Microsoft Powerpoint or any other electronic presentation tools but you will be allowed to use the whiteboard if you wish. Your performance will be assessed using a simple marking sheet that indicates the strength of your contributions. All students will be expected to participate in and help to facilitate the discussion of the readings.
Tutorial participation includes listening to your classmates' oral presentations (see below) in tutorial sessions in weeks 10-12 and asking them questions about their presentation.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Understand the mutually shaping forces of societies and ecologies in producing environmental dilemmas
- Understand some of the main historical and contemporary contexts of environmental issues in Australia and their connection to global events and perspectives
- Identify, and critically examine, key environmental issues
- Be prepared and able to respond to diverse perspectives and approaches to environments, societies and sustainability
- Understand and evaluate advanced concepts and academic texts
- Assess, sort, and synthesise information in oral presentations, small group discussions, and written work
Literature Review Essay
Due: 5pm, Friday 13 September 2019
Weighting: 35%
Word length: 3,000 words (excluding references)
A small selection of essay topics will be posted on iLearn in the first two (2) weeks of the semester.
Essays must be written in light of the Assessment Standards. Further information on presentation of written assignments and hints on essay preparation will be provided on the unit's iLearn site.
Late essays attract a penalty of two (2) marks out of 100 per day after the due date. No assignment will be accepted seven (7) days (including weekends) after the original submission deadline.
Submissions requirements:
Submit via iLearn in “Word” format using the Turnitin link. Versions submitted as “.pdf” will be returned to the student and late penalties may apply.
Style: essay, no less than 1.5 line spacing and no smaller than 11pt font. References: ensure you reference your work. See: http://www.students.mq.edu.au/support/learning_skills/undergraduate/academic_skills_quick guides/
You are expected to use approximately 20-30 different scholarly sources (for example, articles, chapters in edited collections and books).
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Understand the mutually shaping forces of societies and ecologies in producing environmental dilemmas
- Understand some of the main historical and contemporary contexts of environmental issues in Australia and their connection to global events and perspectives
- Identify, and critically examine, key environmental issues
- Be prepared and able to respond to diverse perspectives and approaches to environments, societies and sustainability
- Understand and evaluate advanced concepts and academic texts
- Assess, sort, and synthesise information in oral presentations, small group discussions, and written work
- Be able to critically evaluate management options for addressing environmental, social and sustainability challenges
Oral Presentation
Due: Weeks 10-12 tutorial sessions
Weighting: 20%
Length of presentation: 5 mins presentation + 2 mins Q&A
This is a reflective task. Choose an experience from your own life and relate it to key concepts from the tutorial readings. You must engage with at least three readings in depth. The readings could be selected across different tutorial weeks, they do not need to be from the same week. It is better to think about your reading selection in terms of concepts, or to illustrate a point in your discussion. Present your reflection (which MUST include analysis, not just description) to your tutorial group. Presentations will be held in tutorials in weeks 10-12.
You can choose to focus on any experience but it must be relevant to the themes of the unit and illuminate the Unit's concepts and readings you discuss. Experiences might focus on, for instance:
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An encounter (for example, with an animal)
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A place (for example, a particular spot on the harbour)
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A conversation (for example, that made you think differently)
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An item or object (for example, a water bottle)
You will be assessed on your ability to summarise concepts and readings and to relate these to your chosen experience. Your mark will also reflect your capacity to answer questions following your presentation. These will relate to the content of your presentation and include one question from the tutor and one to two questions from your classmates.
Your presentation must:
- be clear and concise
- be reflective
- relate to an experience from your own life
- engage with key concepts from the tutorial readings (three readings in depth)
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Understand the mutually shaping forces of societies and ecologies in producing environmental dilemmas
- Understand some of the main historical and contemporary contexts of environmental issues in Australia and their connection to global events and perspectives
- Identify, and critically examine, key environmental issues
- Be prepared and able to respond to diverse perspectives and approaches to environments, societies and sustainability
- Understand and evaluate advanced concepts and academic texts
- Assess, sort, and synthesise information in oral presentations, small group discussions, and written work
Final Exam
Due: TBA
Weighting: 30%
The final exam will comprise 10 short answer questions and 1 essay. The composition for the 2019 exam questions will be similar to 2018, however the 2019 exam will be a formal, centrally scheduled sit down exam rather than a take-home exam. This is in keeping with the examination process for this unit in 2017 with some adjustment to the number of short-answer questions.
Familiarity with the Unit's lecture materials is key to passing this exam.
The exam will be 2 hours in length. The date, time and venue for this exam will be determined by the University's examination timetable but will be held in the examination period.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Understand the mutually shaping forces of societies and ecologies in producing environmental dilemmas
- Understand some of the main historical and contemporary contexts of environmental issues in Australia and their connection to global events and perspectives
- Identify, and critically examine, key environmental issues
- Understand and evaluate advanced concepts and academic texts
- Assess, sort, and synthesise information in oral presentations, small group discussions, and written work
Delivery and Resources
Technology
GEOP200 has a website which is accessible via www.mq.edu.au/iLearn. Here you can get access to unit materials, copies of lecture slides, notices and a general discussion place to pose questions to staff.
Students are not required to acquire any technology for this unit but are expected to access the iLearn site and to use computers to produce their assignments.
Lecture
Lecture 4pm-6pm Tuesday 23 Wallys Walk - P.G. Price Theatre
Tutorials
Please see the university timetable for tutorial times and locations at https://timetables.mq.edu.au/2019/
Unit Schedule
Please note that this schedule is subject to change without notice.
|
Week |
Date |
Lecture Schedule (subject to change) |
Tutorial |
Assessments |
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1 |
30 July |
Welcome 1. Environment and Society I
2. Environment and Society II |
No tutorials |
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Part 1: Commodities and globalisation |
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2 |
6 Aug |
3. Resources and 'resourcification'
4. Attitudes to the environment |
Values and resources |
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3 |
13 Aug |
5. Political ecology of cities I (guest lecture: A/Prof Donna Houston)
6. Political ecology of cities II |
Cities, ecology, and politics |
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4 |
20 Aug |
7. Circulations I
8. Circulations II |
Power and movement |
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5 |
27 Aug |
9. Circulations III
10. Place and production |
Place and production |
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Part 2: Social movements and values |
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6 |
3 Sept |
11. Indigenous peoples, justice, and water (guest lecture: Uncle Phil Duncan)
12. Indigenous peoples, justice, and water (guest lecture: Uncle Phil Duncan)
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Essay Preparation |
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7 |
10 Sept |
13. Introduced species in Australian history
14. Species protection and eradication |
Protection and eradication |
Essay due (35%): 5pm, Friday 13 September |
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Mid-session break: 16 September to 27 September |
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8 |
1 Oct |
15. Protected areas
16. Conservation, biodiversity and international agreements |
Politics of protected areas |
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9 |
8 Oct |
17. Climate migration and disasters I (guest lecture: Tasmin Diworth)
18. Climate migration and disasters II (guest lecture: Tasmin Diworth) |
Climate, migration and disaster |
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Part 3: Emergent pathways |
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10 |
15 Oct |
17. Water and sustainability: a Sydney perspective (guest lecture: Sydney Water)
18. Water and society |
Student presentations |
Oral presentation (20%): weeks 10-12 |
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11 |
22 Oct |
19. More-than-human and multispecies worlds I (guest lecture: Tasmin Dilworth)
20. More-than-human and multispecies worlds II (guest lecture: Tasmin Dilworth) |
Student presentations |
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12 |
29 Oct |
23. Alternative economies
24. Degrowth |
Student presentations |
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13 |
5 Nov |
25. Synthesis
26. Exam preparation |
No Tutorials |
Final exam (30%): In exam period |
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Examination period: 11 November to 29 November |
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Learning and Teaching Activities
Alignment with objectives
Policies and Procedures
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:
- Academic Appeals Policy
- Academic Integrity Policy
- Academic Progression Policy
- Assessment Policy
- Fitness to Practice Procedure
- Grade Appeal Policy
- Complaint Management Procedure for Students and Members of the Public
- Special Consideration Policy (Note: The Special Consideration Policy is effective from 4 December 2017 and replaces the Disruption to Studies Policy.)
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).
Student Code of Conduct
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
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
Student Support
Macquarie University provides a range of support services for students. For details, visit http://students.mq.edu.au/support/
Learning Skills
Learning Skills (mq.edu.au/learningskills) provides academic writing resources and study strategies to improve your marks and take control of your study.
Student Services and Support
Students with a disability are encouraged to contact the Disability Service who can provide appropriate help with any issues that arise during their studies.
Student Enquiries
For all student enquiries, visit Student Connect at ask.mq.edu.au
If you are a Global MBA student contact globalmba.support@mq.edu.au
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.
Graduate Capabilities
Creative and Innovative
Our graduates will also be capable of creative thinking and of creating knowledge. They will be imaginative and open to experience and capable of innovation at work and in the community. We want them to be engaged in applying their critical, creative thinking.
This graduate capability is supported by:
Learning outcomes
- Understand the mutually shaping forces of societies and ecologies in producing environmental dilemmas
- Identify, and critically examine, key environmental issues
- Assess, sort, and synthesise information in oral presentations, small group discussions, and written work
- Be able to critically evaluate management options for addressing environmental, social and sustainability challenges
Assessment tasks
- Tutorial Facilitation
- Literature Review Essay
- Oral Presentation
- Final Exam
Learning and teaching activities
- The overall Unit Objectives are: 1. to provide an overview of the influences, factors and perspectives that have to be considered in relation to environment and society; 2. to describe major environmental issues, discuss causes and possible future pathways. The lectures are supplemented by a series of participatory small-group tutorials – tutorial topics are co-ordinated and allied to the lecture subjects for that week. In addition, a 2500 word essay (on one of several set subjects) is due before the mid-session break. Students deliver a short oral presentation in the final weeks of the session. Key background theory is assessed by a short answer and essay in a final exam. The four types of progressive assessment are designed to spread the demands and to give all students flexibility and a fair opportunity to demonstrate knowledge and competence, while permitting benefit from particular interests or skills.
Capable of Professional and Personal Judgement and Initiative
We want our graduates to have emotional intelligence and sound interpersonal skills and to demonstrate discernment and common sense in their professional and personal judgement. They will exercise initiative as needed. They will be capable of risk assessment, and be able to handle ambiguity and complexity, enabling them to be adaptable in diverse and changing environments.
This graduate capability is supported by:
Learning outcomes
- Assess, sort, and synthesise information in oral presentations, small group discussions, and written work
- Be able to critically evaluate management options for addressing environmental, social and sustainability challenges
Assessment tasks
- Tutorial Facilitation
- Literature Review Essay
- Oral Presentation
- Final Exam
Learning and teaching activities
- The overall Unit Objectives are: 1. to provide an overview of the influences, factors and perspectives that have to be considered in relation to environment and society; 2. to describe major environmental issues, discuss causes and possible future pathways. The lectures are supplemented by a series of participatory small-group tutorials – tutorial topics are co-ordinated and allied to the lecture subjects for that week. In addition, a 2500 word essay (on one of several set subjects) is due before the mid-session break. Students deliver a short oral presentation in the final weeks of the session. Key background theory is assessed by a short answer and essay in a final exam. The four types of progressive assessment are designed to spread the demands and to give all students flexibility and a fair opportunity to demonstrate knowledge and competence, while permitting benefit from particular interests or skills.
Commitment to Continuous Learning
Our graduates will have enquiring minds and a literate curiosity which will lead them to pursue knowledge for its own sake. They will continue to pursue learning in their careers and as they participate in the world. They will be capable of reflecting on their experiences and relationships with others and the environment, learning from them, and growing - personally, professionally and socially.
This graduate capability is supported by:
Learning outcomes
- Understand the mutually shaping forces of societies and ecologies in producing environmental dilemmas
- Understand some of the main historical and contemporary contexts of environmental issues in Australia and their connection to global events and perspectives
- Identify, and critically examine, key environmental issues
- Understand and evaluate advanced concepts and academic texts
- Assess, sort, and synthesise information in oral presentations, small group discussions, and written work
Assessment tasks
- Tutorial Facilitation
- Oral Presentation
Learning and teaching activities
- The overall Unit Objectives are: 1. to provide an overview of the influences, factors and perspectives that have to be considered in relation to environment and society; 2. to describe major environmental issues, discuss causes and possible future pathways. The lectures are supplemented by a series of participatory small-group tutorials – tutorial topics are co-ordinated and allied to the lecture subjects for that week. In addition, a 2500 word essay (on one of several set subjects) is due before the mid-session break. Students deliver a short oral presentation in the final weeks of the session. Key background theory is assessed by a short answer and essay in a final exam. The four types of progressive assessment are designed to spread the demands and to give all students flexibility and a fair opportunity to demonstrate knowledge and competence, while permitting benefit from particular interests or skills.
Discipline Specific Knowledge and Skills
Our graduates will take with them the intellectual development, depth and breadth of knowledge, scholarly understanding, and specific subject content in their chosen fields to make them competent and confident in their subject or profession. They will be able to demonstrate, where relevant, professional technical competence and meet professional standards. They will be able to articulate the structure of knowledge of their discipline, be able to adapt discipline-specific knowledge to novel situations, and be able to contribute from their discipline to inter-disciplinary solutions to problems.
This graduate capability is supported by:
Learning outcomes
- Understand the mutually shaping forces of societies and ecologies in producing environmental dilemmas
- Understand some of the main historical and contemporary contexts of environmental issues in Australia and their connection to global events and perspectives
- Identify, and critically examine, key environmental issues
- Be prepared and able to respond to diverse perspectives and approaches to environments, societies and sustainability
- Understand and evaluate advanced concepts and academic texts
- Assess, sort, and synthesise information in oral presentations, small group discussions, and written work
Assessment tasks
- Tutorial Facilitation
- Literature Review Essay
- Oral Presentation
- Final Exam
Learning and teaching activities
- The overall Unit Objectives are: 1. to provide an overview of the influences, factors and perspectives that have to be considered in relation to environment and society; 2. to describe major environmental issues, discuss causes and possible future pathways. The lectures are supplemented by a series of participatory small-group tutorials – tutorial topics are co-ordinated and allied to the lecture subjects for that week. In addition, a 2500 word essay (on one of several set subjects) is due before the mid-session break. Students deliver a short oral presentation in the final weeks of the session. Key background theory is assessed by a short answer and essay in a final exam. The four types of progressive assessment are designed to spread the demands and to give all students flexibility and a fair opportunity to demonstrate knowledge and competence, while permitting benefit from particular interests or skills.
Critical, Analytical and Integrative Thinking
We want our graduates to be capable of reasoning, questioning and analysing, and to integrate and synthesise learning and knowledge from a range of sources and environments; to be able to critique constraints, assumptions and limitations; to be able to think independently and systemically in relation to scholarly activity, in the workplace, and in the world. We want them to have a level of scientific and information technology literacy.
This graduate capability is supported by:
Learning outcomes
- Understand the mutually shaping forces of societies and ecologies in producing environmental dilemmas
- Understand some of the main historical and contemporary contexts of environmental issues in Australia and their connection to global events and perspectives
- Identify, and critically examine, key environmental issues
- Be prepared and able to respond to diverse perspectives and approaches to environments, societies and sustainability
- Understand and evaluate advanced concepts and academic texts
- Assess, sort, and synthesise information in oral presentations, small group discussions, and written work
- Be able to critically evaluate management options for addressing environmental, social and sustainability challenges
Assessment tasks
- Tutorial Facilitation
- Literature Review Essay
- Oral Presentation
- Final Exam
Learning and teaching activities
- The overall Unit Objectives are: 1. to provide an overview of the influences, factors and perspectives that have to be considered in relation to environment and society; 2. to describe major environmental issues, discuss causes and possible future pathways. The lectures are supplemented by a series of participatory small-group tutorials – tutorial topics are co-ordinated and allied to the lecture subjects for that week. In addition, a 2500 word essay (on one of several set subjects) is due before the mid-session break. Students deliver a short oral presentation in the final weeks of the session. Key background theory is assessed by a short answer and essay in a final exam. The four types of progressive assessment are designed to spread the demands and to give all students flexibility and a fair opportunity to demonstrate knowledge and competence, while permitting benefit from particular interests or skills.
Problem Solving and Research Capability
Our graduates should be capable of researching; of analysing, and interpreting and assessing data and information in various forms; of drawing connections across fields of knowledge; and they should be able to relate their knowledge to complex situations at work or in the world, in order to diagnose and solve problems. We want them to have the confidence to take the initiative in doing so, within an awareness of their own limitations.
This graduate capability is supported by:
Learning outcomes
- Identify, and critically examine, key environmental issues
- Be prepared and able to respond to diverse perspectives and approaches to environments, societies and sustainability
- Understand and evaluate advanced concepts and academic texts
- Assess, sort, and synthesise information in oral presentations, small group discussions, and written work
- Be able to critically evaluate management options for addressing environmental, social and sustainability challenges
Assessment tasks
- Tutorial Facilitation
- Literature Review Essay
- Final Exam
Learning and teaching activities
- The overall Unit Objectives are: 1. to provide an overview of the influences, factors and perspectives that have to be considered in relation to environment and society; 2. to describe major environmental issues, discuss causes and possible future pathways. The lectures are supplemented by a series of participatory small-group tutorials – tutorial topics are co-ordinated and allied to the lecture subjects for that week. In addition, a 2500 word essay (on one of several set subjects) is due before the mid-session break. Students deliver a short oral presentation in the final weeks of the session. Key background theory is assessed by a short answer and essay in a final exam. The four types of progressive assessment are designed to spread the demands and to give all students flexibility and a fair opportunity to demonstrate knowledge and competence, while permitting benefit from particular interests or skills.
Effective Communication
We want to develop in our students the ability to communicate and convey their views in forms effective with different audiences. We want our graduates to take with them the capability to read, listen, question, gather and evaluate information resources in a variety of formats, assess, write clearly, speak effectively, and to use visual communication and communication technologies as appropriate.
This graduate capability is supported by:
Learning outcomes
- Assess, sort, and synthesise information in oral presentations, small group discussions, and written work
- Be able to critically evaluate management options for addressing environmental, social and sustainability challenges
Assessment tasks
- Tutorial Facilitation
- Literature Review Essay
- Oral Presentation
- Final Exam
Learning and teaching activities
- The overall Unit Objectives are: 1. to provide an overview of the influences, factors and perspectives that have to be considered in relation to environment and society; 2. to describe major environmental issues, discuss causes and possible future pathways. The lectures are supplemented by a series of participatory small-group tutorials – tutorial topics are co-ordinated and allied to the lecture subjects for that week. In addition, a 2500 word essay (on one of several set subjects) is due before the mid-session break. Students deliver a short oral presentation in the final weeks of the session. Key background theory is assessed by a short answer and essay in a final exam. The four types of progressive assessment are designed to spread the demands and to give all students flexibility and a fair opportunity to demonstrate knowledge and competence, while permitting benefit from particular interests or skills.
Engaged and Ethical Local and Global citizens
As local citizens our graduates will be aware of indigenous perspectives and of the nation's historical context. They will be engaged with the challenges of contemporary society and with knowledge and ideas. We want our graduates to have respect for diversity, to be open-minded, sensitive to others and inclusive, and to be open to other cultures and perspectives: they should have a level of cultural literacy. Our graduates should be aware of disadvantage and social justice, and be willing to participate to help create a wiser and better society.
This graduate capability is supported by:
Learning outcomes
- Understand the mutually shaping forces of societies and ecologies in producing environmental dilemmas
- Understand some of the main historical and contemporary contexts of environmental issues in Australia and their connection to global events and perspectives
- Identify, and critically examine, key environmental issues
- Be prepared and able to respond to diverse perspectives and approaches to environments, societies and sustainability
- Assess, sort, and synthesise information in oral presentations, small group discussions, and written work
- Be able to critically evaluate management options for addressing environmental, social and sustainability challenges
Assessment tasks
- Tutorial Facilitation
- Literature Review Essay
- Oral Presentation
Learning and teaching activities
- The overall Unit Objectives are: 1. to provide an overview of the influences, factors and perspectives that have to be considered in relation to environment and society; 2. to describe major environmental issues, discuss causes and possible future pathways. The lectures are supplemented by a series of participatory small-group tutorials – tutorial topics are co-ordinated and allied to the lecture subjects for that week. In addition, a 2500 word essay (on one of several set subjects) is due before the mid-session break. Students deliver a short oral presentation in the final weeks of the session. Key background theory is assessed by a short answer and essay in a final exam. The four types of progressive assessment are designed to spread the demands and to give all students flexibility and a fair opportunity to demonstrate knowledge and competence, while permitting benefit from particular interests or skills.
Socially and Environmentally Active and Responsible
We want our graduates to be aware of and have respect for self and others; to be able to work with others as a leader and a team player; to have a sense of connectedness with others and country; and to have a sense of mutual obligation. Our graduates should be informed and active participants in moving society towards sustainability.
This graduate capability is supported by:
Learning outcomes
- Understand the mutually shaping forces of societies and ecologies in producing environmental dilemmas
- Understand some of the main historical and contemporary contexts of environmental issues in Australia and their connection to global events and perspectives
- Identify, and critically examine, key environmental issues
- Assess, sort, and synthesise information in oral presentations, small group discussions, and written work
- Be able to critically evaluate management options for addressing environmental, social and sustainability challenges
Assessment tasks
- Tutorial Facilitation
- Literature Review Essay
- Oral Presentation
Learning and teaching activities
- The overall Unit Objectives are: 1. to provide an overview of the influences, factors and perspectives that have to be considered in relation to environment and society; 2. to describe major environmental issues, discuss causes and possible future pathways. The lectures are supplemented by a series of participatory small-group tutorials – tutorial topics are co-ordinated and allied to the lecture subjects for that week. In addition, a 2500 word essay (on one of several set subjects) is due before the mid-session break. Students deliver a short oral presentation in the final weeks of the session. Key background theory is assessed by a short answer and essay in a final exam. The four types of progressive assessment are designed to spread the demands and to give all students flexibility and a fair opportunity to demonstrate knowledge and competence, while permitting benefit from particular interests or skills.
Changes from Previous Offering
Apologies for any inconvenience caused by some changes of the final exam format and some lecture topics.
- The format of the final exam has been changed to a formal, centrally schedules sit-down exam rather than a take-home exam as in 2018. This is in keeping with the examination process for this unit in 2017, with some adjustment to the number of short answer questions.
- The essay outline assessment has been removed to reduce the number of assessment items in this unit.
- Changes in the lecture content has been made in order to include contemporary cutting-edge theories and examples within environment and society.