Outline

Overview

We are in the midst of an unprecedented global ecological and climatological crisis, and consequently need to transform our social, political and economic systems. This crisis - its causes, its effects, and its solutions - are geographically unevenly distributed and situated. Therefore, this unit of study uses geographical concepts to consider what has caused this global crisis, how we should think about the relations and interactions between humans and their environments, and what some strategies are for managing our environment and resources to negotiate this predicament. Using examples focused in Australia, Asia, and the Pacific region, students will learn how to integrate environmental, economic, political, social and cultural considerations and perspectives, and how to evaluate environmental and resource management policies and ideas.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit	Geosciences Academic Operations
Credit points	6
Prerequisites ?	GEOS1X01 or GEOS1X02 or ECOP1X01 or SIEN1000
Corequisites ?	None
Prohibitions ?	GEOS2921
Assumed knowledge ?	None
Available to study abroad and exchange students	Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator	Rebecca Cross, r.cross@sydney.edu.au
Lecturer(s)	Rebecca Cross, r.cross@sydney.edu.au
Lecturer(s)	Phil McManus, phil.mcmanus@sydney.edu.au
Tutor(s)	Amelie Van Der Stock, amelie.vanderstock@sydney.edu.au
Tutor(s)	Ellen Burke, ellen.burke@sydney.edu.au

Type	Description	Weight	Due	Length
Final exam (Take-home short release)	Final exam Short answer and essay component	30%	Formal exam period	2 hours
Outcomes assessed:
Participation	Tutorial participation Participation	10%	Ongoing	50 minutes
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	Essay Essay	25%	Week 05 Due date: 09 Sep 2021 at 23:59	2000 words
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	Fieldtrip report Report	25%	Week 09 Due date: 14 Oct 2021 at 23:59	1500 words
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	Practical Report Report	10%	Week 13 Due date: 25 May 2022 at 23:59	500words plus maps
Outcomes assessed:
= Type D final exam ?

Assessment summary

Essay: Students will write an essay that answers one of the provided essay questions.
Fieldtrip report: Students are required to undertake a self-guided fieldtrip in their local government area. Students will then write a report about identified environmental issues and provide recommendations for their local government area.
Participation: Attendance and participation in lectures and tutorials is expected in this unit. Participation will be assessed during the tutorials (weeks1-12). You are expected to prepare for tutorials by carefully reading and considering the required readings (see unit of study handbook). The readings will be provided electronically through the Canvas website. Attendance will account for 5 marks in total, with 0.5 marks deducted for each session not attended. Failure to attend at least 8 of the 11 tutorials/practicals without an approved Special Consideration application may result in an Absent Fail grade. A series of non-weighted quizzes and exam-style questions are available to students during the tutorials to provide feedback on their own participation, progress and learning.
Practical report: Students will attend 3 x 2hr practicals in weeks 10-12. These will be held in computer labs for on-campus students and online for remote students. Students will use ArcGIS Pro software to produce maps for a 500word report.
Final exam: The exam will include both short answer questions and an essay component. Short answer questions will be graded based on ‘what you know’ and on the student’s ability to clearly communicate their understanding. The essay component of the exam will assess knowledge, ability to construct an argument, clarity of language and originality. The exam could cover any material presented during the lectures and through the required readings.

Detailed information for each assessment can be found on Canvas.

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 and comprehensive knowledge and understanding of the unit material. A ‘High Distinction’ reflects exceptional achievement and is awarded to a student who demonstrates the ability to apply subject knowledge to novel situations.
Distinction	75 - 84	At D level, a student demonstrates an aptitude for the subject and a solid knowledge and understanding of the unit material. A ‘Distinction’ reflects excellent achievement and is awarded to a student who demonstrates an ability to apply the key ideas of the subject.
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 understanding of the unit material but has not fully developed the ability to apply the key ideas of the subject.
Pass	50 - 64	At P level, a student demonstrates proficiency in the unit material. A ‘Pass’ reflects satisfactory achievement and is awarded to a student who has threshold knowledge of the subject.
Fail	0 - 49	At F level, a student does not demonstrate proficiency in the unit material. A ‘fail’ reflects unsatisfactory achievement and is given to a study who does not have threshold knowledge of the subject.

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.

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.

Learning support

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.

Weekly schedule

WK	Topic	Learning activity
Week 01	Introduction to the unit: how do we integrate the environmental, social, cultural, economic, and political?	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 01	What is nature?	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 02	Indigenous and local environmental knowledges and management	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 02	What is natural resource management? Protection versus sustainable use	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 03	What is natural resource management? Policy and practice in Australia	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 03	What is natural resource management? Agriculture and NRM	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 04	Capitalism and the environment: Opportunities, contradictions and limits	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 04	Capitalism and the environment: Ecosystem services and offsetting	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 05	Bodies: population and scarcity	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 05	Bodies: environmental and social justice	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 06	Introduction to the virtual field trip	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 06	Fieldtrip	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 07	Oil, coal and the Petrostate: can we live with(out) them?	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 07	Energy and renewables: Can we engineer a sustainable grid for all?	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 08	The international climate regime	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 08	Carbon markets and carbon farming	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 09	Climate change, disasters and development	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 09	Managing environmental risk	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 10	Commons and commoning: practicing collective action for collective good	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 10	Rights for nature and rights for humans	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 11	Caring for Country and Indigenous enterprise development	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 11	Guest lecture TBD	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 12	The regenerative agricultural revolution	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 12	Sustainable transitions and holistic thinking	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 13	Nature based approaches to sustainable and resilient development	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 13	Conclusion and exam preparation	Lecture (1 hr)

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

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.

Outcomes
Graduate qualities

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

LO1. articulate different constructions of nature and key concepts in environmental thought, and how these are socially and culturally specific
LO2. demonstrate the social, political, economic constitution, and outcomes, of environmental processes, change, and management
LO3. identify the uneven distribution of environmental ‘goods’ and ‘bads’ and the reasons for this outcome
LO4. critically interrogate different environmental and resource management theories and practices and outline their assumptions
LO5. describe key environmental and resource management challenges and their causes, particularly climate change
LO6. demonstrate skills in analysing and interpreting primary research data using Geographic Information Systems
LO7. present analysis of an environmental or resource challenge in a report (rather than essay)
LO8. organise and communicate a coherent argument in written, oral and inter-personal forms
LO9. demonstrate a sense of responsibility, and think critically and independently as a future scientists and global citizen.

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
Learning outcomes

Responding to student feedback

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

Feedback from previous years have been incorporated into the program.

Additional information

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.

Current students

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Study commitment

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Additional information

Additional information

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links

Media

Student links

About us

Connect

Current students

GEOS2121: Environmental and Resource Management

Semester 1, 2022 [Normal day] - Remote

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Study commitment

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Additional information

Additional information

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links

Media

Student links

About us

Connect