GEOG 2141 - Environment and Development
North Terrace Campus - Semester 1 - 2015
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General Course Information
Course Details
Course Code GEOG 2141 Course Environment and Development Coordinating Unit Geography, Environment and Population Term Semester 1 Level Undergraduate Location/s North Terrace Campus Units 3 Contact Up to 3 hours per week Available for Study Abroad and Exchange Y Prerequisites At least 12 units of level 1 undergraduate study Incompatible GEST 2041, GEST 2025 or GEST 3025 Assessment Essay or research report (35%), tutorial presentation (15%), tutorial participation (10%), critical reviews and quizzes (10%), take home exam (30%) Course Staff
Course Coordinator: Dr Thomas Wanner
Course Timetable
The full timetable of all activities for this course can be accessed from .
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Learning Outcomes
Course Learning Outcomes
At the successful completion of this course students will be able to:
1 Comprehend the complexity and various formsand dimensions of development and environment issues 2 Distinguish the multiple dimensions ofsustainability and the linkages between them, and how these dimensions informpolicy processes and outcomes 3 Discuss the history, usefulness andeffectiveness of the concept of sustainable development 4 Understand how global capitalism and economicprocesses shape environmental change and policies 5 Critically assess the politics ofsustainability and the various theoretical perspectives of development andenvironment 6 Communicate effectively about ideas andissues of development and environment in a variety of multimedia settings andthrough a variety of multimedia technologies 7 Conduct effective online group work andresearch about a sustainable development case study 8 Apply research, analytical and criticalthinking skills to specific sustainable development problems 9 Apply multimedia technologies for theresearch, presentation and analysis of sustainability issues 10 Create e-book about environment and development in a transnational intercultural project University Graduate Attributes
This course will provide students with an opportunity to develop the Graduate Attribute(s) specified below:
University Graduate Attribute Course Learning Outcome(s) Knowledge and understanding of the content and techniques of a chosen discipline at advanced levels that are internationally recognised. 1-5 The ability to locate, analyse, evaluate and synthesise information from a wide variety of sources in a planned and timely manner. 7, 8, An ability to apply effective, creative and innovative solutions, both independently and cooperatively, to current and future problems. 7-9 Skills of a high order in interpersonal understanding, teamwork and communication. 3, 6, 9 A proficiency in the appropriate use of contemporary technologies. 9 A commitment to continuous learning and the capacity to maintain intellectual curiosity throughout life. 6, 9 A commitment to the highest standards of professional endeavour and the ability to take a leadership role in the community. 1-9 An awareness of ethical, social and cultural issues within a global context and their importance in the exercise of professional skills and responsibilities. 1-9 -
Learning Resources
Required Resources
There is no required textbook for the course.Recommended Resources
Adams, W.M. (2002). ‘Sustainable Development?’. In Johnston, R.J., Taylor, P.J., and Watts, M. Geographies of Global Change: remapping the world. 2nd edition, pp. 412-426.
Atkinson, G., Dietz, S., and Neumayer, E. (eds.) (2007). Handbook of Sustainable Development. Cheltenham: Edward Elgar.
Baker, S. (2006). Sustainable Development. London: Routledge.
Beder, Sharon (2003). The Nature of Sustainable Development. Newham, Australia: Scribe Publications.
Elliott, J.A. (2006). An Introduction to Sustainable Development. 3rd edition. London: Routledge.
Kates, R.W., Parris, T. and Leiserowitz, A.A. (2005). ‘What is sustainable development? Goals, indicators, values and practice.’ Environment: Science and Policy for Sustainable Development 47(3): 8-21.
McManus, P. (2000). ‘Sustainable development.’ In Johnston, R.J., Gregory, D, Pratt, G. and Watts, M. (eds.). The Dictionary of Human Geography. 4th edition. Oxford: Blackwell. McManus, P. (2000). ‘Sustainable development.’ In Johnston, R.J., Gregory, D, Pratt, G. and Watts, M. (eds.). The Dictionary of Human Geography. 4th edition. Oxford: Blackwell.
Purvis, M. and Grainger, A. (eds.) (2004). Exploring Sustainable Development: Geographical Perspectives. London: Earthscan.
World Commission on Environment and Development (1987). Our Common Future. Oxford: Oxford University Press. [Brundtland Report]
Online Learning
MyUni is the predominant teaching and learning space in this course. Some lectures will be delivered online and students prepare material before the face-to-face tutorials by doing online learning modules. -
Learning & Teaching Activities
Learning & Teaching Modes
The teaching in this course is based on student-centred learning principles and strategies. Students are seen as partners in the learning journey. A range of teaching methods are employed to involve and integrate the students in the learning process, and provide them with the necessary skills and knowledge of the topic. The course provides various assessment methods and choices to accommodate different learning styles. Through case studies and examples the students learn problem-solving skills, and have to work collaboratively in workshop style tutorials and in interactive lecturers.
The course employs a blended approach to learning where the traditional face to face lectures are supplemented by effective use of information and communication technologies (ICTs) and the online teaching and learning environment of MyUni. Students have one face-to-face lecture each week. They are required to do online activities in preparation (eg. through mini-lectures, readings, research) for the 2-hour tutorials each week.Workload
The information below is provided as a guide to assist students in engaging appropriately with the course requirements.
WORKLOAD TOTAL HOURS 1 x 1 hour lecture per week 12 hours per semester 1 x 2 hour tutorial per week 24 hours per semester 6 hours reading and tutorial preparation per week 72 hours per semester 2 hours research per week 24 hours per semester 2 hours assignment preparation per week 24 hours per semester TOTAL - 156 hours per semester Learning Activities Summary
Schedule Week 1 Introduction Week 2 Developmentalism, Environmentalism, Ecologism Week 3 Environment and Development discourses Week 4 Ecological justice, security and ethics Week 5 Earth summits and the Asian Century Week 6 Green capitalism and green economy Week 7 Sustainability: education and culture Week 8 Climate Change, Energy security and Global Forests Week 9 Urban sustainability; food and water security Week 10 Ecological citizenship Week 11 Sustainable Futures Week 12 Politics of Sustainability Specific Course Requirements
- To be able to pass the course students must complete and submit for assessment all assessment pieces described in the course profile.
- Tutorials are a compulsory component of the course. Students will not be able to pass the course if they do not meet the requirement of at least 90% tutorial attendance.
Small Group Discovery Experience
The 2 hour tutorial are organised as workshop-style interactive learning sessions. Students will work in small groups to discuss case studies and course content. -
Assessment
The University's policy on Assessment for Coursework Programs is based on the following four principles:
- Assessment must encourage and reinforce learning.
- Assessment must enable robust and fair judgements about student performance.
- Assessment practices must be fair and equitable to students and give them the opportunity to demonstrate what they have learned.
- Assessment must maintain academic standards.
Assessment Summary
Assessment Task Task Type Due Weighting Learning Outcome 1. Research proposal for research essay or report Formative end of Week 5
10% 4, 5, 6, 7 2. Research essay or report Summative negotiated 30% 4, 5,6, 7 3. Presentation of research essay or report in tutorials Summative to be scheduled in tutorials 10% 6, 8, 9 4. Tutorial Learning Journal Summative negotiated 20% 3, 6, 7, 9 5. Take Home Exam Summative middle of week 13 30% 1 - 9 Assessment Related Requirements
To be able to pass this course, students must complete and submit for marking all assessment pieces.Assessment Detail
1. Research proposal (10%) students will write a short proposal about their research topic and objectives for either their research report or research essay.
2. Research report or essay (30%) (2,000 words): students are required to do either a research essay or report about an environment and development issue of their choice.
3. Presentation of Research findings (10%): students will present the findings of their research in the tutorials
4. Tutorial Learning Journal (20%) (1,500 words): students write regular critical review of readings, pre-tutorial activities and reflection of their learning in the tutorial.
5. Take Home Exam (30%) (1,000 words): students will receive the take home exam in last week and have three days to complete and submit it electronically on MyUni.Submission
Submission and return of assignments will be done through MyUni. The software TURNITIN is used to overcome plagiarism.
Late submissions of assignments will get 5% penalties for each day late (including weekends).Course Grading
Grades for your performance in this course will be awarded in accordance with the following scheme:
M10 (Coursework Mark Scheme) Grade Mark Description FNS Fail No Submission F 1-49 Fail P 50-64 Pass C 65-74 Credit D 75-84 Distinction HD 85-100 High Distinction CN Continuing NFE No Formal Examination RP Result Pending Further details of the grades/results can be obtained from Examinations.
Grade Descriptors are available which provide a general guide to the standard of work that is expected at each grade level. More information at Assessment for Coursework Programs.
Final results for this course will be made available through .
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Student Feedback
The University places a high priority on approaches to learning and teaching that enhance the student experience. Feedback is sought from students in a variety of ways including on-going engagement with staff, the use of online discussion boards and the use of Student Experience of Learning and Teaching (SELT) surveys as well as GOS surveys and Program reviews.
SELTs are an important source of information to inform individual teaching practice, decisions about teaching duties, and course and program curriculum design. They enable the University to assess how effectively its learning environments and teaching practices facilitate student engagement and learning outcomes. Under the current SELT Policy (http://www.adelaide.edu.au/policies/101/) course SELTs are mandated and must be conducted at the conclusion of each term/semester/trimester for every course offering. Feedback on issues raised through course SELT surveys is made available to enrolled students through various resources (e.g. MyUni). In addition aggregated course SELT data is available.
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Student Support
- Academic Integrity for Students
- Academic Support with Maths
- Academic Support with writing and study skills
- Careers Services
- Library Services for Students
- LinkedIn Learning
- Student Life Counselling Support - Personal counselling for issues affecting study
- Students with a Disability - Alternative academic arrangements
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Policies & Guidelines
This section contains links to relevant assessment-related policies and guidelines - all university policies.
- Academic Credit Arrangements Policy
- Academic Integrity Policy
- Academic Progress by Coursework Students Policy
- Assessment for Coursework Programs Policy
- Copyright Compliance Policy
- Coursework Academic Programs Policy
- Intellectual Property Policy
- IT Acceptable Use and Security Policy
- Modified Arrangements for Coursework Assessment Policy
- Reasonable Adjustments to Learning, Teaching & Assessment for Students with a Disability Policy
- Student Experience of Learning and Teaching Policy
- Student Grievance Resolution Process
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Fraud Awareness
Students are reminded that in order to maintain the academic integrity of all programs and courses, the university has a zero-tolerance approach to students offering money or significant value goods or services to any staff member who is involved in their teaching or assessment. Students offering lecturers or tutors or professional staff anything more than a small token of appreciation is totally unacceptable, in any circumstances. Staff members are obliged to report all such incidents to their supervisor/manager, who will refer them for action under the university's student鈥檚 disciplinary procedures.
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