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Unit outline_

GEOS3520: Urban Citizenship and Sustainability

Semester 1, 2024 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

More than half the world's population now live in cities. The contemporary growth of cities, however, is attached to profound political and environmental questions about what it means to be urban, what 'being urban' means for the planet, and how we might produce more just and sustainable urban spaces and experiences. This Unit provides grounding to these crucial questions by examining urban environments from the dual perspectives of citizenship and sustainability. The Unit has three modules. Module 1 examines the intersection of urban environmental change with questions of citizenship and justice. Module 2 considers key urban environmental issues such as energy, transport and food, and how cities and citizens might address stresses and shocks in these systems. Module 3 studies new models for governing emergent urban environmental challenges. Throughout the semester, a Practical Project will involve a research project with real-world partners to introduce key skills related to working in collaboration with external organisations.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit Geosciences Academic Operations
Credit points 6
Prerequisites
? 
GEOS2X21 or GEOS2X23 or GOES2X15 or GEOS2X11 or ENVI2X22 or DAAE2012
Corequisites
? 
None
Prohibitions
? 
GEOS3920
Assumed knowledge
? 

None

Available to study abroad and exchange students

Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator Kurt Iveson, kurt.iveson@sydney.edu.au
Lecturer(s) Sophie Webber, sophie.webber@sydney.edu.au
Kurt Iveson, kurt.iveson@sydney.edu.au
The census date for this unit availability is 2 April 2024
Type Description Weight Due Length
Assignment Essay
Essay question set in Unit Handbook
40% Week 08
Due date: 19 Apr 2024 at 23:59
2000 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Presentation group assignment Group Presentation
In class group presentation of key findings
5% Week 12 10 minutes
Outcomes assessed: LO6 LO7 LO8
Assignment group assignment Final Report
Final Report documenting group research findings on community project
30% Week 13
Due date: 24 May 2024 at 23:59
2000 words per group
Outcomes assessed: LO6 LO7 LO8
Participation Tutorial participation*
Informed and constructive contributions to tutorial discussion of readings
15% Weekly Tutorials take place weekly
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO5 LO4 LO3 LO2
Small continuous assessment Weekly Lecture Quiz
Lecture content will be assessed weekly by in-class quizzes
10% Weekly 10 minute quiz weekly in lectures
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO5 LO4 LO3 LO2
group assignment = group assignment ?

Assessment summary

Weekly Quiz – simple short quiz to tests comprehension of lecture content, 1 mark per quiz, students who complete 10 out of 13 successfully will receive 10 out of 10 marks 

Tutorial participation – contributions to discussion in weekly tutorials

Main essay – 2000 essay answering question set on key concepts in the Unit

Practical project – group presentation and report on project with industry partner, supported by practical classes during semester

 

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

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

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

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

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

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:

5% per day without Special Consideration

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.

Support for students

The Support for Students Policy 2023 reflects the University’s commitment to supporting students in their academic journey and making the University safe for students. It is important that you read and understand this policy so that you are familiar with the range of support services available to you and understand how to engage with them.

The University uses email as its primary source of communication with students who need support under the Support for Students Policy 2023. Make sure you check your University email regularly and respond to any communications received from the University.

Learning resources and detailed information about weekly assessment and learning activities can be accessed via Canvas. It is essential that you visit your unit of study Canvas site to ensure you are up to date with all of your tasks.

If you are having difficulties completing your studies, or are feeling unsure about your progress, we are here to help. You can access the support services offered by the University at any time:

Support and Services (including health and wellbeing services, financial support and learning support)
Course planning and administration
Meet with an Academic Adviser

WK Topic Learning activity Learning outcomes
Week 01 Introduction to urban citizenship and sustainability Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 02 Urban Politics Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 03 Urban Environments Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 04 Public Space Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Intro/ team formation Practical (2 hr) LO6 LO7 LO8
Week 05 Energy Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 06 Food Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Group Project Workshop Practical (2 hr) LO6 LO7 LO8
Week 07 Housing Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 08 Water Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Group Project Workshop Practical (2 hr) LO6 LO7 LO8
Week 09 Transport Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 10 Repair and Reparations Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Group Project Workshop Practical (2 hr) LO6 LO7 LO8
Week 11 Just Transitions: Green New Deals or Degrowth? Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 12 Hope and Courage Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Final presentations Practical (2 hr) LO6 LO7 LO8
Week 13 Conclusion: Principles for Action Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5

Attendance and class requirements

Students are expected to attend all lectures and tutorials. A significant proportion of the assessment (25% for tutorial participation and weekly lecture quizzes) will take place in class.

Attendance at practical classes is compulsory to facilitate participation in group project work.

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.

Required readings

Tutorial readings are listed in the Unit of Study Handbook and will be available through the Library.

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. describe the relationships between cities, citizens, environments and in/sustainability
  • LO2. define citizenship, environmental justice and urban metabolism, and describe their relationship to urbanisation
  • LO3. apply your understanding of the relationship between cities, justice and citizenship to critically reflect on different approaches to urban sustainability
  • LO4. describe contemporary socio-environmental challenges facing cities and assess different governance frameworks for addressing them
  • LO5. articulate your own preferred concept of sustainability and be able to justify your position
  • LO6. converse with government officials, activists and business interests about the topic of sustainability, its potentials and its limits
  • LO7. work effectively in groups, and understand why a group is working well or is not working well
  • LO8. write a report targeted to civil society organisations (as distinct from an academic essay)

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.

Adjustments have been made to assessment and assessment weighting in response to student feedback

Work, health and safety

We are governed by the Work Health and Safety Act 2011, Work Health and Safety Regulation 2011 and Codes of Practice. Penalties for non-compliance have increased. Everyone has a responsibility for health and safety at work. The University’s Work Health and Safety policy explains the responsibilities and expectations of workers and others, and the procedures for managing WHS risks associated with University activities.

General Laboratory Safety Rules

  • No eating or drinking is allowed in any laboratory under any circumstances
  • A laboratory coat and closed-toe shoes are mandatory
  • Follow safety instructions in your manual and posted in laboratories
  • In case of fire, follow instructions posted outside the laboratory door
  • First aid kits, eye wash and fire extinguishers are located in or immediately outside each laboratory
  • As a precautionary measure, it is recommended that you have a current tetanus immunisation. This can be obtained from University Health Service: unihealth.usyd.edu.au/

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.