ENV200 Introduction to Environmental Studies
About this Unit
Semester 2, 2008
Offered: D2 - Day; Second Half-Year
Convenor: Dr John R. Merrick
Credit Points: 3
Prerequisite: 12cp
Unit Description
This unit aims to provide a broad introduction to the interdisciplin-ary field of environmental studies. There is an emphasis on human attitudes to, and relationships with the environment. The unit is designed to be relevant and interesting for a range of students with a wide variety of academic backgrounds (disciplines). Several types of assessment are used to give all students a fair opportunity to demon-strate knowledge and competence. The small group tutorials and essays also give some flexibility for individuals to follow broad areas of interest.
Initially the concept of environment is explained and the general questions of attitudes and communication are discussed; the conflicts and problems of incorporating environment into current economic systems are also demonstrated. The pressures caused by growing human populations, increasing energy use and demand for basic resources are also considered.
Then a number of guest lecturers provide broad introductions to the major physical (atmosphere, aquatic, terrestrial) and biological systems that make up the planetary environment. The nature of major environmental problems, such as air pollution or land degradation or water pollution, their causes and associated issues are summarised. Remedial measures that we, as a society or individuals, need to take to alleviate these problems are also suggested.
Later in the Unit both the scientific and sociological aspects of current management processes are explained, together with legal regulatory mechanisms, planning and legislative control. Although the emphasis is on Australasia, most of the questions are relevant worldwide. The interconnections in environmental issues and the recurring integrating themes are stressed.
In summary the overall Unit Objectives are:
- to provide an overview of the influences, factors and perspectives that have to be considered in relation to environment;
- to describe major environmental issues, discuss causes and suggest planning options or management to improve the situation.
Rationale for Unit
This stand-alone unit serves a need and demand for a comprehensive overview of environmental issues. It complements and supplements units from many disciplines, but can also be an optional general interest unit. This is for students who
- wish to expand employment options by including some formal training in environmental studies;
- want some environmental background to complement their major disciplinary subject, and can only spare one semester;
- have an interest in environmental education, environmental economics, environmental quality and management or sustainability;
- wish to increase their knowledge about controversial environmental issues relevant to daily life;
- are considering useful, relevant optional units;
- are thinking about possible postgraduate studies.
Teaching Staff
Convenor: Dr John R. Merrick
Co-convenor: Ms Jenny George
The Graduate School of the Environment ( GSE ) has prime responsibility for this Unit. If problems arise that cannot be resolved by the lecturers or Unit Convenors then matters will be referred to Prof. P. Nelson ( Head of School, GSE).
Classes
Each week there is a one hour tutorial (Room 360A, E8A) and two hours of lectures (Room 264, E7B). For details of topics see the following timetables. Notification of any changes to times or venues for classes will be announced at lectures, posted on the MUOTF site and on the Unit Notice Board. Attendance at tutorials is a requirement of the Unit.
Unit web page
Students can log on to the MUOTF site at http://learn.mq.edu.au/ where all essential administrative information, together with summary lecture material and supplementary notes will be posted progressively.
Learning Outcomes
At the completion of this Unit students should have:
- an understanding of the natural processes and man-made factors that interact to cause environmental problems;
- a knowledge of the major environmental issues in the Australian region, including their origins and underlying causes;
- an overview of the current management strategies of major problems and suggested remedial measures;
- a basic understanding of global natural systems and the implications for determining management strategies;
- an awareness of the natural influences, mechanisms and man-made frameworks that are necessary to consider for effective environmental management;
- developed their skills in assessing, sorting and synthesising information as well as presenting it verbally in small group discussions or in written form.
Teaching and Learning Strategy
Lectures from a range of guest lecturers presenting the latest research results on major environmental issues provide core content. These lectures are supplemented by a series of participatory small-group tutorials – tutorial topics are co-ordinated and allied to the lecture subjects for that week. In addition, a 2000 word essay (on one of several set subjects) is due in late October. Key background theory is assessed by two short answer exams. The four types of progressive assessment are designed to spread the demands and to give all students flexibility and a fair opportunity to demonstrate knowledge and competence, while permitting benefit from particular interests or skills.
Schedule of Lectures
| Week | Date | Lecture Topic | Lecturer |
|---|---|---|---|
1 |
6 August |
1. Before Humans and other concepts 2. Aboriginals and impacts |
J. Merrick J. Kohen |
2 |
13 August |
3. Attitudes to the environment 4. Population and resources |
K. Cussen J. George |
3 |
20 August |
5. Environmental economics 6. Renewable engergy options |
R. Gillespie C. Dey/ M. Merrick |
4 |
27 August |
7. Land degradation 8. Freshwater resources and quality |
J. Pickard J. Merrick |
5 |
3 September |
9. Wastewater and biosolids 10. Marine environments |
G. Kelly K. Bilgmann |
6 |
10 September |
11. Importance of biodiversity 12. Air pollution |
A. Beattie P. Nelson |
7 |
17 September |
Mid-semester test |
|
| Mid-Semester Break | |||
8 |
8 October |
13. Where they live and why 14. Endangered species |
J. Merrick D. Priddel |
9 |
15 October |
15. Marine mammal conservation 16. National Parks management |
K. Bilgmann J. Merrick |
10 |
22 October |
17. Environmental health 18. Environmental management |
B. Gulson J. Merrick |
11 |
29 October |
19. Sustainability 20. Urban issues |
W. Goldstein J. George |
12 |
5 November |
21. Global legal frameworks 22. Environmental Planning |
W. Goldstein J. George |
13 |
12 November |
23. Envrionmental impact statements 24. Common themes and overview |
J. George J. Merrick |
Schedule of Tutorials
| Week | Date | Lecture Topic |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 6 August | Aborigines and aquatic resources |
| 2 | 13 August | Values, messages and practice |
| 3 | 20 August | Population and resources |
| 4 | 27 August | Agriculture and food |
| 5 | 3 September | Wastewater resources / treatment |
| 6 | 10 September | Climate change and consequences |
| 7 | 17 September | No tutorial |
| Mid-Semester Break | ||
| 8 | 8 October | Assessing threats to species |
| 9 | 15 October | Preventing biodiversity loss and conservation strategies |
| 10 | 22 October | Sustainability |
| 11 | 29 October | Quality of life issues |
| 12 | 5 November | Transport impacts and solutions |
| 13 | 12 November | Urban Planning |
Key Points about Tutorials
- Attendance at these tutorials is a requirement of this unit – if a student does not attend, there is no assessment for participation and the requirement has not been fulfilled.
- The topics are chosen to complement and supplement the lectures and so are re-inforcing core unit content.
Relationship between Assessment and Learning Outcomes
General Requirements and Weighting of Components
| Assessment | Max. Length | Marks | Due |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Tutorial participation and tutorial summaries (oral and written) | written summaries: 150 - 200 words | 20% | |
| 2. Mid-semester test | 20% | 17 September 2008 | |
| 3. Essay | 2000 words | 20% | 9am 23 October 2008 |
| 4. Final examination | 40% |
In order to complete this unit satisfactorily, students must:
- attend all (>80 %) tutorials, participate in tutorial discussions and submit written summaries (150 - 200 words) on each tutorial topic;
- attempt a mid-semester test on Wednesday 17 September 2008;
- submit a 2000 word essay (details below) on or before Thursday 23 October 2008 (see notes on submission under Essays);
- attempt a two hour end-of-unit examination (refer to the official Examination Timetable for date, time and venue).
Under the University Bachelor Degree Regulations, attendance at the final exam, which is held in the examination period, is a strict requirement. Absence from the exam will result in failure in the unit. In addition, students who fail to complete any compulsory component of the unit may be withdrawn from the unit (and therefore failed).
Students unable to attend tutorials or submit written work on time because of illness or misadventure (defined in the University Calendar) should contact the unit convenor as soon as the problem arises and negotiate alternative arrangements. No extensions will be given without prior arrangement.
Late work attracts a penalty of 20% per day. After 5 days, the piece of work will be assessed only on the basis of Pass or Fail; no marks will be allocated to it. However, please note the above requirement that all pieces of assessable work must be submitted in order to pass the Unit.
Tutorials, Topics and Summaries
Tutorials have been scheduled for 12 noon, 2 p.m. and 3 p.m on Wednesdays. Tutorial groups and times will be finalised in the first week of classes, with a summary of groups and times posted on the MUOTF Site and the Unit Notice Board. The topics to be discussed in tutorials are tabulated on page 6.
It is emphasised that these tutorials are designed to be interactive - to develop arguments, justify or defend particular view-points and for individual students to form opinions about specified environmental issues.
All students will be required to read and analyse a short reading in preparation for each tutorial. One or more readings for each tutorial will be suggested and copies of most readings can be downloaded from the Web; but limited hard copies will also be available from Room 311. At the tutorial each student will be required to submit a short, summary of the preparatory reading. These summaries will be rated as part of the tutorial assessment - they must be in an essay style (paragraphs and sentences) and definitely not in point form.
Essays, Topics, Preparation and Submission
Each student is required to submit a 2000 word essay on one of four topics before 9.00am Thursday 23 October 2008.
A small selection of essay topics will be posted on the MUOTF Site (and Unit Notice Board) in the first 2 weeks of the semester.
Further information on presentation of written assignments and hints on essay preparation are provided below.
Important: All essays are to be submitted at the ELS Centre (Ground Level, Building E 7 A) where there is also an After Hours Box. When submitting remember to sign and include the Standard Cover Sheet. By nominating Thursday morning all students can attend Wednesday classes and then, if necessary, submit the essay after lectures during the evening – without having to make a special trip.
Exams
The Mid-Semester Test will be short (less than 90 minutes) and will consist mostly of short answer questions, with one short essay question.
The Final Exam will also include both short answer questions and short essay questions.
Further details of material to be covered and organisation for these exams will be provided as the Unit progresses.
The University Examination period in Second Half Year 2008 is from Wednesday 19 November to Friday 5 December.
You are expected to present yourself for examination at the time and place designated in the University Examination Timetable. The timetable will be available in Draft form approximately eight weeks before the commencement of the examinations and in Final form approximately four weeks before the commencement of the examinations.
http://www.timetables.mq.edu.au/exam
The only exception to not sitting an examination at the designated time is because of documented illness or unavoidable disruption. In these circumstances you may wish to consider applying for Special Consideration. Information about unavoidable disruption and the special consideration process is available at http://www.reg.mq.edu.au/Forms/APSCon.pdf
If a Supplementary Examination is granted as a result of the Special Consideration process the examination will be scheduled after the conclusion of the official examination period. (Individual Divisions may wish to signal when the Division's Supplementaries are normally scheduled.)
You are advised that it is Macquarie University policy not to set early examinations for individuals or groups of students. All students are expected to ensure that they are available until the end of the teaching semester, that is the final day of the official examination period.
Required and Recommended Texts/Materials
There is no single text set for this Unit; however, the following short list of reference books is provided for students who require further detail on concepts or background information on particular aspects of the Unit. These should all be in the library or available for sale at the Co-op Bookshop.
Reference Books
Aplin, G.J. 2002. Heritage: Identification, Conservation and Management. Oxford University Press, Melbourne. 372 pp.
Aplin, G., Mitchell, P.B., Cleugh, H., Pitman, A. and Rich, D. 1999. Global Environmental Crises: An Australian Perspective. Second Edition. Oxford University Press, Melbourne. 392 pp.
Australian State of the Environment Committee. 2001. Australia: State of the Environment 2001. CSIRO Publishing, Melbourne.
Beattie, A. J. and Ehrlich, P. R. 2001.Wild Solutions: How Biodiversity is Money in the Bank. Melbourne University Press, Melbourne. 239 pp.
Botkin, D. B. and Keller, E. A. 2007. Environmental Science. Earth as a Living Planet. Sixth Edition. John Wiley and Sons, Inc., Hoboken, New Jersey.
Chapman, A.R., Petersen, R.L. and Smith-Moran, B. (eds). 1999. Consumption, Population and Sustainability: Perspectives from Science and Religion. Island Press, Washington D.C. 355 pp.
Clark, R.P. 2000. Global Life Systems: Population, Food, and Disease in the Process of Globalization. Rowman & Littlefield Publishers, Lanham, Maryland. 351 pp.
Cohen, J.E. 1995. How Many People can the Earth Support ? 1 st Edition. Norton, New York. 532 pp.
Connell, D.W. 1993. Water Pollution - Causes and Effects in Australia and New Zealand. Third Edition. Queensland University Press, Brisbane. 203 pp.
Forster, C.A. 1999. Australian Cities: Continuity and Change. Second Edition.Oxford University Press, Melbourne. 191 pp.
Frankham, R., Ballou, J. D. and Briscoe, D. A. 2002. Introduction to Conservation Genetics. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge. 617pp.
Fullerton, T. 2001. Watershed: Deciding our Water Future. ABC Books, Sydney. 354 pp.
Howes, M. 2005. Politics and the Environment: Risk and the Role of Government and Industry. Allen and Unwin, Sydney. 218 pp.
Hussen, A.M. 2004. Principles of Environmental Economics. 2nd Edition. Routledge, London. 344 pp.
Hutchings, P. and Lunney, D. (eds). 2003. Conserving Marine Environments: Out of Sight Out of Mind. Royal Zoological Society of New South Wales, Mosman. 140 pp.
Kohen, J. L. 1997. Aboriginal Environmental Impacts. University of New South Wales Press, Sydney. 160 pp.
Low, N., Gleeson, B., Green, R. and Radovic, D. 2005. The Green City: Sustainable Home Sustainable Suburbs. UNSW Press, Sydney.
Merrick, J. R., Archer, M., Hickey, G. M. and Lee, M. S. Y. (eds). 2006. Evolution and Biogeography of Australasian Vertebrates.Auscipub Pty. Ltd., Sydney. 942 pp.
Miller, G. T. 2000. Living in the Environment. Principles, Connections, and Solutions. Eleventh Edition. Brooks/Cole Publishing Company, California.
Moore, J. 2001. An Introduction to the Invertebrates. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge. 355 pp.
Palmer, J.A. (ed). 2001. Fifty Key Thinkers on the Environment. Routledge, London. 321 pp.
Paton, T. R., Mitchell, P. B. and Humphreys, G. S. 1995. Soils: A New Global View. UCL Press, Bristol, Pennsylvania. 213 pp.
Royal Society of Chemistry. 2003. Sustainability and Environmental Impact of Renewable Energy Sources. Royal Society of Chemistry, Cambridge. 139 pp.
Thampapillai, D.J. 2002. Environmental Economics: Concepts, Methods and Policies. Oxford University Press, Melbourne. 222 pp.
Williams, K., Burton, E. and Jenks, M. 2000. Achieving Sustainable Urban Form. Spon Press, London.
Selected further reading will be required for tutorials (see above). Most lecture hand-outs will also include additional specific relevant references. If students have a particular interest in a specific subject they can consult either Ms. George or Dr. Merrick for suggestions for further reading or internet sources.
Useful Web Sites
Most lecture hand-outs will also include suggested relevant web sites. When you choose an essay topic we will provide you with further suggestions for more specialised sites.
Plagiarism
The University defines plagiarism in its rules: "Plagiarism involves using the work of another person and presenting it as one's own." Plagiarism is a serious breach of the University's rules and carries significant penalties. You must read the University's practices and procedures on plagiarism. These can be found in the Handbook of Postgraduate Studies or on the web at: http://www.student.mq.edu.au/plagiarism/
The policies and procedures explain what plagiarism is, how to avoid it, the procedures that will be taken in cases of suspected plagiarism, and the penalties if you are found guilty. Penalties may include a deduction of marks, failure in the unit, and/or referral to the University Discipline Committee.
The GSE recommends that students familiarise themselves with the information contained on the Georgetown University Honor Council website which discusses plagiarism in an easy to understand and comprehensive manner.
University Policy on Grading
Academic Senate has a set of guidelines on the distribution of grades across the range from fail to high distinction. Your final result will include one of these grades plus a standardised numerical grade (SNG).
On occasion your raw mark for a unit (i.e., the total of your marks for each assessment item) may not be the same as the SNG which you receive. Under the Senate guidelines, results may be scaled to ensure that there is a degree of comparability across the university, so that units with the same past performances of their students should achieve similar results.
It is important that you realise that the policy does not require that a minimum number of students are to be failed in any unit. In fact it does something like the opposite, in requiring examiners to explain their actions if more than 20% of students fail in a unit.
The process of scaling does not change the order of marks among students. A student who receives a higher raw mark than another will also receive a higher final scaled mark.
For an explanation of the policy see:
http://senate.mq.edu.au/rules/Guidelines2003.doc or
http://senate.mq.edu.au/rules/detailedguidelines.doc
Student Support Services
Macquarie University provides a range of Academic Student Support Services. Details of these services can be accessed at http://www.student.mq.edu.au.
Advice for Students with Disabilities/Health Conditions
The Equity Support Unit (ESU) provides support and assistance to students with a disability/health condition in aiming to ensure that they do not experience disadvantage in reaching their academic potential. Service provision is determined on a case-by-case basis following an assessment of a student's needs and the provision of supporting documentation. Service provision is also dependent on the availability of resources.
To register with ESU, download an Advice of Disability/Health Condition form from http://www.reg.mq.edu.au/academic-index.html. This form must be completed annually, irrespective of whether a disability/health condition is temporary, long-term or permanent. Students wishing to request support services from the ESU should make an appointment to see a Disability Advisor immediately after enrolling at Macquarie University.
Phone: (02) 9850 6494/7497
Fax: (02) 9850 6063
TTY: (02) 9850 6493
Email: equity@mq.edu.au
In person: Level 2, Lincoln Building (C8A), Macquarie University
Website: http://www.sss.mq.edu.au/equity