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Unit outline_

PMGT5897: Disaster Project Management

Intensive June - July, 2021 [Block mode] - Remote

This unit identifies the causes of some well-known disasters (natural, man-made and projects) and reveals what can be learned by being able to think critically and analyse the issues. The aim of this unit is to outline traditional and contemporary theories in emergency response planning; to provide an overall scope of comprehensive emergency planning and the major elements that must be addressed in an Emergency Response Plan. Student outcomes from this unit include: Developing and implementing an Emergency Response Plan; Specific recommendations for the health and safety of emergency response personnel and provides concise information on learning objectives and a review of important concepts.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit Project Management
Credit points 6
Prerequisites
? 
None
Corequisites
? 
None
Prohibitions
? 
None
Assumed knowledge
? 

None

Available to study abroad and exchange students

Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator Julien Pollack, julien.pollack@sydney.edu.au
Type Description Weight Due Length
Participation Class participation
Contributions made during class and to discussion forums
10% Multiple weeks During class
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO6 LO5 LO4 LO3 LO2
Assignment Reflective journal
Jnl 1 & 2 due 02/07/21 Jnl 3 & 4 due 09/07/21
20% Multiple weeks Max 2 pages per journal entry
Outcomes assessed: LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Assignment group assignment Case study
Group assignment selected from topics provided in class
40% Week 04
Due date: 16 Jul 2021 at 23:59
4-5 pages per group member
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Assignment Disaster management paper
Individual assignment selected from topics provided in class
30% Week 05
Due date: 23 Jul 2021 at 23:59
Min 10 pages
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
group assignment = group assignment ?

Assessment summary

Detailed information for each assessment can be found on Canvas.

  1. Class particpation – contribute to discussion in class and in onlne discussion forums
  2. Reflective journal – demonstrate an understanding on each topic discussed in class and provide critical feedback on the key concepts
  3. Individual assignment – select a topic of your choice (listed in class) and prepare an individual assignment discussing contempoirary issues in disaster management
  4. Group case study – select a topic (listed in class) and prepare a group assignment and presentation discussing your findings.

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

 

Distinction

75 - 84

 

Credit

65 - 74

 

Pass

50 - 64

 

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.

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
Multiple weeks Review learning materials, readings and independent research. Independent study (100 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Week 01 Co-ordination Theory Block teaching (8 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Studying Organisations using Social Network Analysis Block teaching (8 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Week 02 Modelling Co-ordination Block teaching (8 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Disaster Coordination Block teaching (8 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6

Attendance and class requirements

Attendance in class or online is mandatory.

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

All readings are available on Canvas.

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. prepare an emergency management plan
  • LO2. prepare recommendations for the improvement of contemporary emergency management issues
  • LO3. undertake a critical analysis of contemporary emergency management issues
  • LO4. formulate and justify recommendations for improvement
  • LO5. present complex ideas, analyses, and recommendations using appropriate communication tools
  • LO6. demonstrate an understanding of emergency management planning, in both theory and practice.

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.

Modifications to current case studies have been made to the course content since it was offered 12 months ago.

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.