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Unit outline_

ENVI2122: Environmental Governance and Assessment

Semester 2, 2023 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

ENVI2122 Environmental Governance and Assessment introduces students to the legal, economic and impact assessment tools that play an important role in regulating human impacts on the environment. This unit builds on conceptual understandings of the environment, environmental issues and critical thought developed in first year to explore environmental regulation in an Australian context. It navigates environmental and ecological economic thought and connects this to impacts. In the latter part of the semester the concept of impact assessment is introduced to build on the legal and economic knowledge and investigate the history, strengths, weaknesses and potential of various forms of assessment to achieve improved environmental outcomes.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit Geosciences Academic Operations
Credit points 6
Prerequisites
? 
GEOS1X01 or GEOS1X02
Corequisites
? 
None
Prohibitions
? 
ENVI2922
Assumed knowledge
? 

None

Available to study abroad and exchange students

Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator Jo Gillespie, josephine.gillespie@sydney.edu.au
Lecturer(s) Jo Gillespie, josephine.gillespie@sydney.edu.au
Phil McManus, phil.mcmanus@sydney.edu.au
Tutor(s) Emma Koch, emma.koch@sydney.edu.au
Type Description Weight Due Length
Assignment group assignment Tutorial Leadership
Students individually or in pairs (depending on numbers) lead the tutorial
15% - 40 minutes
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Supervised exam
? 
Exam
A 2 hour exam, individual assessment
40% Formal exam period 2 hours
Outcomes assessed: LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Participation Tutorial Participation
Students are assessed on attendance, participation and contributions
10% Ongoing 12 weeks
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO6 LO5 LO4 LO3 LO2
Assignment hurdle task Environmental Regulation Essay
A 2500 word individual essay.
35% Week 07 2500 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO4 LO5
hurdle task = hurdle task ?
group assignment = group assignment ?

Assessment summary

This unit of study includes one environmental law essay (30%), tutorial leadership in one week of the semester (20 %), ongoing tutorial participation (10%) and an exam (40%).

Assessment criteria

The University awards common result grades, set out in the Coursework Policy 2014 (Schedule 1).

As a general guide, a high distinction indicates work of an exceptional standard, a distinction a very high standard, a credit a good standard, and a pass an acceptable standard.

Result name

Mark range

Description

High distinction

85 - 100

At HD level, a student demonstrates a flair for the subject as well as a detailed and comprehensive understanding of the unit material. A ‘High Distinction’ reflects exceptional achievement and is awarded to a student who demonstrates the ability to apply their subject knowledge and understanding to produce original solutions for novel or highly complex problems and/or comprehensive critical discussions of theoretical concepts.

Distinction

75 - 84

At DI level, a student demonstrates an aptitude for the subject and a well-developed understanding of the unit material. A ‘Distinction’ reflects excellent achievement and is awarded to a student who demonstrates an ability to apply their subject knowledge and understanding of the subject to produce good solutions for challenging problems and/or a reasonably well-developed critical analysis of theoretical concepts.

Credit

65 - 74

At CR level, a student demonstrates a good command and knowledge of the unit material. A ‘Credit’ reflects solid achievement and is awarded to a student who has a broad general understanding of the unit material and can solve routine problems and/or identify and superficially discuss theoretical concepts.

Pass

50 - 64

At PS level, a student demonstrates proficiency in the unit material. A ‘Pass’ reflects satisfactory achievement and is awarded to a student who has threshold knowledge.

Fail

0 - 49

When you don’t meet the learning outcomes of the unit to a satisfactory standard.

For more information see guide to grades.

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

  • Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
  • After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

This unit has an exception to the standard University policy or supplementary information has been provided by the unit coordinator. This information is displayed below:

The penalties for lateness are 5% of the total marks for each day the assessment is overdue.

Academic integrity

The Current Student website provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. The University expects students and staff to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.

We use similarity detection software to detect potential instances of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breach. If such matches indicate evidence of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breaches, your teacher is required to report your work for further investigation.

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) and automated writing tools

You may only use generative AI and automated writing tools in assessment tasks if you are permitted to by your unit coordinator. If you do use these tools, you must acknowledge this in your work, either in a footnote or an acknowledgement section. The assessment instructions or unit outline will give guidance of the types of tools that are permitted and how the tools should be used.

Your final submitted work must be your own, original work. You must acknowledge any use of generative AI tools that have been used in the assessment, and any material that forms part of your submission must be appropriately referenced. For guidance on how to acknowledge the use of AI, please refer to the AI in Education Canvas site.

The unapproved use of these tools or unacknowledged use will be considered a breach of the Academic Integrity Policy and penalties may apply.

Studiosity is permitted unless otherwise indicated by the unit coordinator. The use of this service must be acknowledged in your submission as detailed on the Learning Hub’s Canvas page.

Outside assessment tasks, generative AI tools may be used to support your learning. The AI in Education Canvas site contains a number of productive ways that students are using AI to improve their learning.

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a simple extension.  The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can’t complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students, AI in Education includes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

WK Topic Learning activity Learning outcomes
Week 01 Introduction Lecture (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3
Introduction to Environmental Studies Lecture (1 hr) LO1 LO5 LO6
Week 02 Environmentalism in Australia Lecture (1 hr) LO1 LO4 LO5 LO6
Environmentalism in Australia Lecture (1 hr) LO1 LO4 LO5 LO6
Based on week 2 lecture topics Tutorial (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Week 03 Federalism and the environment Lecture (1 hr) LO1 LO4 LO5 LO6
Federalism and the environment Lecture (1 hr) LO1 LO4 LO5 LO6
Based on week 3 lecture topics Tutorial (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Week 04 Role of ENGOs (environmental non-government organisations) Lecture (1 hr) LO1 LO4 LO5 LO6
Role of ENGOs (environmental non-government organisations) Lecture (1 hr) LO1 LO4 LO5 LO6
Based on week 4 lecture topics Tutorial (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Week 05 International Environmental Law Lecture (1 hr) LO1 LO4 LO5 LO6
International Environmental Law Lecture (1 hr) LO1 LO4 LO5 LO6
Based on week 5 lecture topics Tutorial (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Week 06 Caring for Country Lecture (1 hr) LO1 LO4 LO5 LO6
Caring for Country Lecture (1 hr) LO1 LO4 LO5 LO6
Based on week 6 lecture topics Tutorial (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Week 07 Self-directed Studies Lecture (1 hr) LO1 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Self-directed studies Lecture (1 hr) LO1 LO4 LO5 LO6
Week 08 History and Scope of Impact Assessments Lecture (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
History and Scope of Impact Assessments Lecture (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Based on week 8 lecture topics Tutorial (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Week 09 Let's look at an Impact Statement! Lecture (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Let's look at an Impact Statement! Lecture (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Based on week 9 lecture topics Tutorial (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Week 10 Public Participation in IAs Lecture (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Public Participation in IAs Lecture (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Based on week 10 lecture topics Tutorial (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Week 11 Cumulative IA Lecture (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Cumulative IA Lecture (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Based on week 11 lecture topics Tutorial (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Week 12 Extractivism Lecture (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Extractivism Lecture (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Based on week 12 lecture topics Tutorial (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Week 13 Climate Change Lecture (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Climate Change Lecture (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Based on week 13 lecture topics Tutorial (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6

Study commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester. For a 6 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 120-150 hours of student effort in total.

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University's graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

  • LO1. To acquire an understanding of approaches to environmental governance, with an introduction to Australian environmental law.
  • LO2. To understand the key tenets of and differences between various environmental and ecological economic theories.
  • LO3. To learn the history, rationale and key steps in various forms of impact assessment.
  • LO4. To synthesize and critique various legal, economic and assessment approaches and practices.
  • LO5. To evaluate various scenarios and ascertain which legal, economic and impact assessment processes may produce desirable environmental outcomes.
  • LO6. To communicate environmental studies knowledge developed in this unit and relate it to professional career prospects.

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all University of Sydney graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1 Depth of disciplinary expertise

Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.

GQ2 Critical thinking and problem solving

Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.

GQ3 Oral and written communication

Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.

GQ4 Information and digital literacy

Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.

GQ5 Inventiveness

Generating novel ideas and solutions.

GQ6 Cultural competence

Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.

GQ7 Interdisciplinary effectiveness

Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.

GQ8 Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity

An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one’s personal and professional selves in an ethical context.

GQ9 Influence

Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes Graduate qualities
GQ1 GQ2 GQ3 GQ4 GQ5 GQ6 GQ7 GQ8 GQ9

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

ENVI2122 was offered for the first time in 2022. We have made changes to the curriculum in light of the first year of operation.

Disclaimer

The University reserves the right to amend units of study or no longer offer certain units, including where there are low enrolment numbers.

To help you understand common terms that we use at the University, we offer an online glossary.