SUST1001: Semester 1, 2024

University home

Library

Current students

Staff intranet

Find an event

Give

Current students

Units SUST1001 Semester 1 2024 [Normal day]

Unit outline_

SUST1001: Introduction to Sustainability

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

Overview

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)	Phil McManus, phil.mcmanus@sydney.edu.au
	Fengwang Li, fengwang.li@sydney.edu.au
	Melissa Haswell, melissa.haswell@sydney.edu.au
	Christopher Wright, christopher.wright@sydney.edu.au
	Sonja Van Wichelen, sonja.vanwichelen@sydney.edu.au

Assessment

The census date for this unit availability is 2 April 2024

Details
Criteria

Type	Description	Weight	Due	Length
Skills-based evaluation	Participation task Short minute paper on class participation. #earlyfeedbacktask.	5%	Week 02 Due date: 01 Mar 2024 at 23:59	In class activities
Outcomes assessed:
Creative assessment / demonstration	Group Change Campaign Very short video, posts or infographic - plus 250 words about groupwork	20%	Week 03 Due date: 08 Mar 2024 at 23:59	Varies depending on format
Outcomes assessed:
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: 28 Mar 2024 at 23:59	In class activity approx. 500 words
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	Reflection Portfolio Students communicate their personal environmental wellbeing.	30%	Week 11 Due date: 10 May 2024 at 23:59	10 minute podcast, 1000 word diary.
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	Sustainability report Students write about a complex sustainability concept not assessed earlier.	40%	Week 13 Due date: 24 May 2024 at 23:59	2000 words
Outcomes assessed:
= group assignment ?

Early feedback task

This unit includes an early feedback task, designed to give you feedback prior to the census date for this unit. Details are provided in the Canvas site and your result will be recorded in your Marks page. It is important that you actively engage with this task so that the University can support you to be successful in this unit.

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.

You may only use artificial intelligence and writing assistance tools in assessment tasks if you are permitted to by your unit coordinator, and if you do use them, you must also acknowledge this in your work, either in a footnote or an acknowledgement section.

Studiosity is permitted for postgraduate units unless otherwise indicated by the unit coordinator. The use of this service must be acknowledged in your submission.

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.

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

Weekly schedule

WK	Topic	Learning activity
Week 01	Principles of Sustainability	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 01	Principles of sustainability - on campus walk to Gadigal Green and the Quad	Field trip (2 hr)
Week 02	Sustainability and Society	Lecture and tutorial (4 hr)
Week 03	Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander custodianship of the Australian environment and impact of colonisation	Lecture and tutorial (4 hr)
Week 04	The Anthropocene	Lecture and tutorial (4 hr)
Week 05	Economics in a Limited World	Lecture and tutorial (4 hr)
Week 06	The planet as a system	Lecture and tutorial (4 hr)
Week 07	Sustainable Technologies	Lecture and tutorial (4 hr)
Week 08	Environmental Justice	Lecture and tutorial (4 hr)
Week 09	Indigenous Australians as Sustainability Educators and Leaders	Lecture and tutorial (4 hr)
Week 10	The Political Economy of the Climate Crisis	Lecture and tutorial (4 hr)
Week 11	Urban Sustainability	Lecture and tutorial (4 hr)
Week 12	Business Case for Sustainability	Lecture and tutorial (4 hr)
Week 13	Universities and Sustainability	Lecture and tutorial (4 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. 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
Learning outcomes

Responding to student feedback

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

This is the second year this unit has been offered.

Additional information

Work, health and safety

We are governed by the Work Health and Safety Act 2011, Work Health and Safety Regulations 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. A link to general wellbeing and support services for students is provided (along with other links to important information and resources) at the end of this document.

Practical classes are held in computer laboratories. The following general safety rules apply to these spaces.

Face to face students will occupy every second computer (evenly numbered computers) whilst completing their practical work to maintain social distancing.
For the safety of others and for the protection of equipment, no eating or hot drinks are allowed in practical classes.
In case of fire or any emergency, follow all instructions of your class demonstrator.
Students should act with civility to other students and the class demonstrator. Rude, discrimatory, racist, sexist or bullying behaviour is not acceptable under any circumstances and will not be tolerated.

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

Early feedback task

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Support for students

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

Work, health and safety

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links

Media

Student links

About us

Connect