The key focus of this unit is to prepare and empower participants to work with communities in a variety of contexts to achieve effective learning and action for environmental sustainability. The unit covers the range of key sustainability issues important for communities, at local and international levels, including reducing environmental impacts on water, waste management, greenhouse gas production and biodiversity. Students will learn the most up-to-date methods for engaging communities to achieve productive, equitable and effective change for sustainability. Further, the unit emphasises developing appropriate approaches to community sustainability, given the diversity of contexts and challenges and interconnections between community development issues. In this context, the implementation of the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGS) are critically appraised with particular focus upon the standpoint and perspectives of First Nations communities. Students may engage in a practical community and sustainability project or a critical investigation of a project aiming to assess how holistically it considered issues of sustainability.
Unit details
Location:
Study level:
Postgraduate
Credit points:
12
Unit code:
ASA5004
Prerequisites
Nil.
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Learning Outcomes
| 1. | Advocate a multi-dimensional definition of what community sustainability is and why and how it is important to a particular group and its wider community; | ||
| 2. | Commentate upon how communities are responding to the challenges of living sustainably using theoretical propositions; | ||
| 3. | Devise ways of using social media and other technology to enhance sustainability action and networking; | ||
| 4. | Interpret knowledge of community sustainability to issues and opportunities for action in a practical arena, using good practice engagement principles for sustainability approaches; and | ||
| 5. | Critically review small-scale community sustainability initiatives. |
Assessment
| Assessment type | Description | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Exercise | Using 3 slides argue the case for an environmental policy change in 3 minutes. | 20% |
| Presentation | Group presentation critically engaging with SDG targets and indicators in case study, plus individual written report. | 40% |
| Assignment | Option 1: Develop a project management plan. Option 2: Report on a contemporary environmental topic. | 40% |
Where to next?
As part of a course
This unit is studied as part of the following courses. Refer to the course page for information on how to apply for the course.
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