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Course profile

Geography of Australia (GEOS2105)

Study period
Sem 2 2024
Location
St Lucia
Attendance mode
In Person

Course overview

Study period
Semester 2, 2024 (22/07/2024 - 18/11/2024)
Study level
Undergraduate
Location
St Lucia
Attendance mode
In Person
Units
2
Administrative campus
St Lucia
Coordinating unit
The Environment School

This course acquaints students with keynotes in Australian geography. It seeks to provide students with an integrated account of the natural and human systems that characterise the contemporary geography of Australia and identify the big issues facing Australia in the 21st Century. The course will develop students' quantitative skills in geographical analysis and demonstrate the relevance of geography to planning and policy formulation.

The Geography of Australia provides students with an integrated account of the natural and human systems of Australia and introduces students to the big issues facing Australia in the 21st Century. Examples include the social structure of Australian cities, the impact of climate change on coastal communities, the health of the Great Barrier Reef, water and irrigation in the Murray Darling Basin, and the development of the northern frontier. ᅠThe course aims to provide a sound understanding of key geographic concepts, measures and techniques and equip students with the knowledge and skills to engage in Australian policy debates.

Course requirements

Assumed background

There are no formal pre-requisites for this course, though GEOS1100 and/or GEOG1000ᅠwould be an advantage. Students are assumed to have a satisfactory level of achievement in secondary English (or equivalent), reasonable general knowledge and basic numeracy.

Recommended prerequisites

We recommend completing the following courses before enrolling in this one:

GEOS1100 and GEOG1000

Course contact

Course staff

Lecturer

Mr Jim Walker

Timetable

The timetable for this course is available on the UQ Public Timetable.

Aims and outcomes

This course aims to provide students with an integrated account of the natural and human systems that characterise the contemporary geography of Australia and identify the big issues facing Australia in the 21st Century. In addition, this course seeks to further students' knowledge and skills in the application of key concepts, models and techniques in geography.

Learning outcomes

After successfully completing this course you should be able to:

LO1.

Describe key patterns and processes characterising the contemporary geography of Australia at a variety of spatial and temporal scales.

LO2.

Identify and apply geographic theories to contemporary Australian issues.

LO3.

Apply appropriate geographic methods and techniques to explore a range of contemporary issues in Australia.

LO4.

Apply a geographic perspective to contemporary issues in Australia.

LO5.

Demonstrate high level of written and visual communication skills to communicate your knowledge.

Assessment

Assessment summary

Category Assessment task Weight Due date
Tutorial/ Problem Set Workbook part 1 15%

5/09/2024 2:00 pm

Project A Contemporary Issue in Australian Geography 30%

3/10/2024 2:00 pm

Tutorial/ Problem Set Workbook part 2 15%

24/10/2024 2:00 pm

Examination Final Exam
  • Hurdle
40%

End of Semester Exam Period

2/11/2024 - 16/11/2024

A hurdle is an assessment requirement that must be satisfied in order to receive a specific grade for the course. Check the assessment details for more information about hurdle requirements.

Assessment details

Workbook part 1

Mode
Written
Category
Tutorial/ Problem Set
Weight
15%
Due date

5/09/2024 2:00 pm

Task description

Complete all practical exercises set during weeks 2,3,5, and 6 and submit as a compiled report.

Submission guidelines

Submit through turn-it-in by the due date.

Deferral or extension

You may be able to apply for an extension.

The maximum extension allowed is 14 days. Extensions are given in multiples of 24 hours.

A Contemporary Issue in Australian Geography

Mode
Product/ Artefact/ Multimedia
Category
Project
Weight
30%
Due date

3/10/2024 2:00 pm

Learning outcomes
L01, L02, L03, L04, L05

Task description

Objective: The objective of this assessment task is to demonstrate your ability to effectively use ArcGIS Online to create an interactive and engaging StoryMap. Through this task, you will showcase your skills in spatial storytelling, data visualization, and effective communication using maps, text, images, and multimedia.

Task Description: You are required to create a StoryMap using ArcGIS Online on a contemporary issue in Australian geography. The StoryMap should incorporate a series of interactive maps, text, images, and other multimedia elements to guide the reader through a compelling narrative. The narrative should be well-structured, engaging, and effectively convey the information and message you want to communicate.

Guidelines:

  1. Topic Selection. You will be provided with a selection of topics to choose from in Week 4.
  2. Research and Data Collection: Conduct thorough research to gather relevant data, maps, images, and multimedia content that will support your story. Ensure that the data is reliable and properly cited.
  3. StoryMap Structure: Plan the structure and flow of your StoryMap. Decide on the number and sequence of sections or chapters, and how they will connect to form a cohesive narrative.
  4. Map Creation: Create interactive maps using ArcGIS Online. Use appropriate basemaps, layers, symbology, and pop-up windows to effectively visualize and communicate your data.
  5. Text and Multimedia Integration: Write clear and concise text to accompany each map or section. Incorporate images, videos, audio, or other multimedia elements where appropriate to enhance the storytelling experience.
  6. Design and Layout: Pay attention to the visual design and layout of your StoryMap. Use consistent formatting, colors, fonts, and spacing to create a visually appealing and professional-looking presentation.
  7. Narrative Flow: Ensure that your StoryMap has a logical and coherent narrative flow. Each section should connect seamlessly to the next, guiding the reader through the story while maintaining their interest and engagement.
  8. Use of ArcGIS Online Tools: Explore the various tools and features available in ArcGIS Online to enhance your StoryMap. Consider incorporating geoprocessing, analysis, or other relevant functionalities to enrich your narrative.
  9. Citations and References: Properly cite and reference all data sources, maps, images, and multimedia content used in your StoryMap. Follow the citation style preferred by your academic institution.

 

Submission guidelines

A public link to your Story map will be submitted on a word document via turn it in.

Deferral or extension

You may be able to apply for an extension.

The maximum extension allowed is 14 days. Extensions are given in multiples of 24 hours.

Late submission

A penalty of 10% of the maximum possible mark will be deducted per 24 hours from time submission is due for up to 7 days. After 7 days, you will receive a mark of 0.

Workbook part 2

Mode
Written
Category
Tutorial/ Problem Set
Weight
15%
Due date

24/10/2024 2:00 pm

Learning outcomes
L01, L02, L03, L04, L05

Task description

Complete all practical exercises set during weeks 7,8, 9, 10 and 12 and submit as a compiled report.

Submission guidelines

Submit through turn-it-in by the due date.

Deferral or extension

You may be able to apply for an extension.

The maximum extension allowed is 14 days. Extensions are given in multiples of 24 hours.

Late submission

A penalty of 10% of the maximum possible mark will be deducted per 24 hours from time submission is due for up to 7 days. After 7 days, you will receive a mark of 0.

Final Exam

  • Hurdle
Mode
Written
Category
Examination
Weight
40%
Due date

End of Semester Exam Period

2/11/2024 - 16/11/2024

Learning outcomes
L01, L02, L03, L04, L05

Task description

A combination of multiple choice, short answer and essay questions.


Hurdle requirements

In order to receive a passing grade, students must obtain at least 40% of the marks on the final exam.

Exam details

Planning time 10 minutes
Duration 120 minutes
Calculator options

Any calculator permitted

Open/closed book Closed Book examination - no written materials permitted
Exam platform Paper based
Invigilation

Invigilated in person

Submission guidelines

Deferral or extension

You may be able to defer this exam.

Course grading

Full criteria for each grade is available in the Assessment Procedure.

Grade Description
1 (Low Fail)

Absence of evidence of achievement of course learning outcomes.

Course grade description: The minimum percentage required for this grade is: 0%

2 (Fail)

Minimal evidence of achievement of course learning outcomes.

Course grade description: The minimum percentage required for this grade is: 30%

3 (Marginal Fail)

Demonstrated evidence of developing achievement of course learning outcomes

Course grade description: The minimum percentage required for this grade is: 45% In order to receive a passing grade, students must obtain at least 45% of the marks on the final exam.

4 (Pass)

Demonstrated evidence of functional achievement of course learning outcomes.

Course grade description: The minimum percentage required for this grade is: 50% In order to receive a passing grade, students must obtain at least 45% of the marks on the final exam.

5 (Credit)

Demonstrated evidence of proficient achievement of course learning outcomes.

Course grade description: The minimum percentage required for this grade is: 65% In order to receive a passing grade, students must obtain at least 45% of the marks on the final exam.

6 (Distinction)

Demonstrated evidence of advanced achievement of course learning outcomes.

Course grade description: The minimum percentage required for this grade is: 75% In order to receive a passing grade, students must obtain at least 45% of the marks on the final exam.

7 (High Distinction)

Demonstrated evidence of exceptional achievement of course learning outcomes.

Course grade description: The minimum percentage required for this grade is: 85% In order to receive a passing grade, students must obtain at least 45% of the marks on the final exam.

Additional course grading information

In order to receive a passing grade, students must obtain at least 45% of the marks on the final exam. 

Supplementary assessment

Supplementary assessment is available for this course.

Should you fail a course with a grade of 3, you may be eligible for supplementary assessment. Refer to my.UQ for information on supplementary assessment and how to apply.

 

Supplementary assessment provides an additional opportunity to demonstrate you have achieved all the required learning outcomes for a course.

 

If you apply and are granted supplementary assessment, the type of supplementary assessment set will consider which learning outcome(s) have not been met.

 

Supplementary assessment can take any form (such as a written report, oral presentation, examination or other appropriate assessment) and may test specific learning outcomes tailored to the individual student, or all learning outcomes.

 

To receive a passing grade of 3S4, you must obtain a mark of 50% or more on the supplementary assessment.

Additional assessment information

Applications for Extensions

Information on applying for an extension can be found here - my.UQ Applying for an extension

Extension applications must be received by the assessment due date and time.

If you are unable to provide documentation to support your application by the due date and time you must still submit your application on time and attach a Word document outlining why you cannot provide the documentation and upload the documentation to the portal within 24 hours.

Please note: While your extension request is being considered, you should work towards completing and submitting your assessment as soon as possible.

If you have been ill or unable to attend class for more than 4 weeks in a semester, we advise you to carefully consider whether you are capable of successfully completing your courses. You might need to consider applying for removal of course. We strongly recommend you seek advice from the Faculty that administers your program.

 

Extensions with Student Access Plans (SAP)

For extensions up to 7 days, your SAP is all that is required as documentation to support your application. However, extension requests longer than 7 days (for any one assessment item) will require the submission of additional supporting documentation e.g., a medical certificate. A maximum of two applications may be submitted for any one assessment item, unless exceptional circumstances can be demonstrated. All extension requests must be received by the assessment due date and time. 



Artificial Intelligence (AI)

Artificial Intelligence (AI) provides emerging tools that may support students in completing assessment tasks 1, 2 and 3. Students may appropriately use AI in completing these assessment tasks. Students mustᅠclearly reference any use of AI in each instance.

A failure to reference generative AI use may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.

Turnitin

By submitting work through Turnitin you are deemed to have accepted the following declaration “I certify that this assignment is my own work and has not been submitted, either previously or concurrently, in whole or in part, to this University or any other educational institution, for marking or assessment.”

All students must ensure they receive their Turnitin receipt on submission of any assessments. A valid Turnitin receipt will be the only evidence accepted if assessments are missing. Without evidence, the assessment will receive the standard late penalty, or after five days, will receive zero.

Learning resources

You'll need the following resources to successfully complete the course. We've indicated below if you need a personal copy of the reading materials or your own item.

Library resources

Find the required and recommended resources for this course on the UQ Library website.

Learning activities

The learning activities for this course are outlined below. Learn more about the learning outcomes that apply to this course.

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Learning period Activity type Topic
Week 1

(22 Jul - 28 Jul)

General contact hours

Space, Place, and Country

In this week's contact, we apply core geographic concepts of space and place to understand Indigenous geographies and the role of geography in the colonisation of Australia. We develop some new skills in the access and interpretation of geographic data (Mr Jim Walker and Dr Elin Charles-Edwards).

Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03

Week 2

(29 Jul - 04 Aug)

General contact hours

The Physical Geography of Australia

This week introduces you to key concepts in Physical Geography and the landforms, processes, and climate that make up the Australian continent (Dr Daniel Harris)

Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03

Week 3

(05 Aug - 11 Aug)

General contact hours

Australia's Population Geography

This week's lecture explores the subfield of population geography that focuses on the spatial distribution, dynamics, and structure of human populations. We will explore the various factors influencing populations including such as birth rates, death rates, and migration. We will engage with contemporary population debates in Australia and develop informed positions based on our understanding of population dynamics (Dr Elin Charles-Edwards).

Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03

Week 4

(12 Aug - 18 Aug)

General contact hours

The Australian Tropics and The Great Barrier Reef and Introduction to Story Maps

We will explore the tropics of Australia this week and cover the factors that allow for massive geo-ecological systems, like the Great Barrier Reef, to form and the challenges these ecosystems face in the future. We will also introduce you to Story Maps and how to use them for your assessment task ( Dr Daniel Harris and Jennah Williams from Esri).

Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04, L05

Week 5

(19 Aug - 25 Aug)

General contact hours

Australia's Regional Geography

Why do voting patterns vary so much between Australian cities and the bush? In this week's class, we explore Australia's regional divide, its formation, and contemporary drivers (Dr Elin Charles-Edwards).

Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03

Week 6

(26 Aug - 01 Sep)

General contact hours

Arid Australia

This week we will investigate why Australia is so dry and how this influences the water resources and geomorphology of the Australian continent (Dr Daniel Harris).

Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03

Week 7

(02 Sep - 08 Sep)

General contact hours

The Northern Frontier

In this week's class, we turn the map of Australia upside down to focus on northern Australia. We explore several "northern narratives" and how these have been driven by distant policymakers and politicians in southern Australia. We explore modes of land occupancy in northern Australia and the importance of northern Australia to First Nations land rights (Dr Elin Charles-Edwards and Mr Jim Walker).

Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03

Week 8

(09 Sep - 15 Sep)

General contact hours

The Murray Darling Basin

We will investigate Australia’s food bowl, the Murray-Darling Basin, this week and discuss the physical geography of rivers and water resources of Australia (Dr Daniel Harris).

Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03

Week 9

(16 Sep - 22 Sep)

General contact hours

Australian Cities and the New Economy

Is Australia still the land of a "fair go"? This week, we explore Australia's economic development and the resulting spatial divides. Adopting a historical-structural view, we examine the transition from a protected to a neoliberal economy characterized by deregulation, privatization, and reduced trade barriers. We look at how this has impacted employment, industrial structure and socioeconomic inequality in Australia (Dr Elin Charles-Edwards)

Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03

Mid Sem break

(23 Sep - 29 Sep)

General contact hours

Mid semester break

Week 10

(30 Sep - 06 Oct)

General contact hours

Hazards in Australia Under a Changing Climate

This week we will look at some of the natural hazards of Australia, and what we can do to manage them with a focus on the coast of Australia (Dr Daniel Harris).

Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03

Week 11

(07 Oct - 13 Oct)

General contact hours

Public holiday - no contact

Week 12

(14 Oct - 20 Oct)

General contact hours

Australia and its neighbourhood

Is Australia a part of Asia, the Pacific or an Anglo-American outpost? How might we use geographic concepts and methods to answer this question? What does this mean for our future economic and strategic relationships? (Dr Elin Charles-Edwards).

Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03

Week 13

(21 Oct - 27 Oct)

General contact hours

So what can geographer's contribute?

In this final class, we synthesise our learning from the semester to better understand how geographers can help shape Australia in the 21st Century (Dr Elin Charles-Edwatds and Dr Daniel Harris).

Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04

Policies and procedures

University policies and procedures apply to all aspects of student life. As a UQ student, you must comply with University-wide and program-specific requirements, including the:

Learn more about UQ policies on my.UQ and the Policy and Procedure Library.