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Unit outline_

SUST1001: Introduction to Sustainability

Semester 1, 2023 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

Sustainability is essential for the future of the planet. In SUST1001you will learn how to make the world more sustainable by building skills in critical thinking, enhancing self-care (building personal resilience, coping skills and a sense of community) and appreciating diversity and empowerment. In addition to acting as an introduction to the major you will work through three areas in this unit. First, you will learn how to embrace a range of perspectives and approaches to sustainability topics, including holistic Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander perspectives that connect Caring for Country and collective human wellbeing, so that you develop awareness of and can start to address the partiality of existing knowledge. Second, you will develop an understanding of the importance of a trans-disciplinary understanding in tackling barriers to change (for example, how to navigate the technological transition to a more sustainable future while also considering the social, economic and policy implications). Finally, you will explore the potential of transformation and start to examine how you can become an agent of change by developing and applying knowledge, building emotional resilience and a sense of belonging, and reflecting on your roles and contributions to this vital global issue.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit Geosciences Academic Operations
Credit points 6
Prerequisites
? 
None
Corequisites
? 
None
Prohibitions
? 
None
Assumed knowledge
? 

None

Available to study abroad and exchange students

Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator Phil McManus, phil.mcmanus@sydney.edu.au
Lecturer(s) Christopher Wright, christopher.wright@sydney.edu.au
Phil McManus, phil.mcmanus@sydney.edu.au
Melissa Haswell, melissa.haswell@sydney.edu.au
Fengwang Li, fengwang.li@sydney.edu.au
Sonja Van Wichelen, sonja.vanwichelen@sydney.edu.au
Type Description Weight Due Length
Skills-based evaluation Participation task
Completion of academic skills development based on values and needs model.
5% Week 02
Due date: 03 Mar 2023 at 23:59
In class activities
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO5 LO3 LO2
Creative assessment / demonstration group assignment Group Change Campaign
Very short video, posts or infographic - plus 250 words about groupwork
20% Week 03
Due date: 03 Mar 2023 at 23:59
Varies depending on format
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO3 LO5 LO6
Skills-based evaluation Referencing and report writing preparation
Builds skills in referencing and report structure. Prep. for last ass. task
5% Week 06
Due date: 31 Mar 2023 at 23:59
In class activity approx. 500 words
Outcomes assessed: LO5
Assignment Reflection Portfolio
Students communicate their personal environmental wellbeing.
30% Week 11
Due date: 12 May 2023 at 23:59
10 minute podcast, 1000 word diary.
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO5 LO6
Assignment Sustainability report
Students write about a complex sustainability concept not assessed earlier.
40% Week 13
Due date: 26 May 2023 at 23:59
2000 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO4 LO5 LO6
group assignment = group assignment ?

Assessment summary

Group change project - work in small groups on a creative approach to changing an unsustainable practice.

Participation task - develop skills in respectful communication through questioning of values.

Referencing and Structuring a Report - Learn how to reference correctly and to understand the difference between an essay and a report.

Sustainability Report - combine the earlier learning activities into a report that addresses problems and opportunities for change with a key sustainability issue.

Detailed information for each assessment can be found on Canvas

Assessment criteria

Result Name Mark Range Description
High Distinction 85+ Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at an exceptional standard
Distinction 75-84 Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at a very high standard
Credit 65-74 Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at a good standard
Pass 50-64 Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at an acceptable standard
Fail 0-49 When you don’t meet the learning outcomes of the unit to a satisfactory standard.
Absent Fail 0-49 When you haven’t completed all assessment tasks

 

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
Week 01 Principles of Sustainability Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO4 LO5 LO6
Principles of sustainability - on campus walk to Gadigal Green and the Quad Field trip (2 hr) LO1 LO4 LO5 LO6
Week 02 Sustainability and Society Lecture and tutorial (4 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Week 03 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander custodianship of the Australian environment and impact of colonisation Lecture and tutorial (4 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Week 04 The Anthropocene Lecture and tutorial (4 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Week 05 Economics in a Limited World Lecture and tutorial (4 hr) LO1 LO4 LO5 LO6
Week 06 The planet as a system Lecture and tutorial (4 hr) LO1 LO2 LO4 LO5 LO6
Week 07 Sustainable Technologies Lecture and tutorial (4 hr) LO1 LO4 LO5 LO6
Week 08 Environmental Justice Lecture and tutorial (4 hr) LO1 LO4 LO5 LO6
Week 09 Indigenous Australians as Sustainability Educators and Leaders Lecture and tutorial (4 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Week 10 The Political Economy of the Climate Crisis Lecture and tutorial (4 hr) LO1 LO4 LO5 LO6
Week 11 Urban Sustainability Lecture and tutorial (4 hr) LO1 LO2 LO4 LO5 LO6
Week 12 Business Case for Sustainability Lecture and tutorial (4 hr) LO1 LO4 LO5 LO6
Week 13 Universities and Sustainability Lecture and tutorial (4 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. You will be able to Identify interdisciplinary principles of sustainability and apply them to historical, current and emerging social-ecological-technological debates, research and practice.
  • LO2. Establish a foundation for understanding sustainability from a holistic perspective integrating Indigenous understandings of values and relationships with the environment and each other.
  • LO3. You will reflect on and begin to develop the skills required for becoming a sustainability change agent by practicing skills in leadership, empathy, resilience, collaboration, time management and integrity
  • LO4. You will critically analyse the complexity and uncertainty of contemporary socio-technologicalecological issues and design sustainable responses that consider the environmental wellbeing of multiple stakeholders
  • LO5. You will communicate accurately, persuasively and respectfully across a variety of formats including academic writing, multimedia platforms, and interpersonally within groups
  • LO6. You will find, interpret, evaluate and correctly cite contemporary sustainability research from a range of academic disciplines, knowledge systems and cultural leaders; you will develop an ability to identify the merits of competing studies and ideas.

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.

This is the first time this unit has been offered.

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.