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Course profile

Global Change: Problems & Prospects (GEOS3102)

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 highlights key problems of both physical and human dimensions of global change and analyses their origins, patterns and prognoses for the future. Learning is accomplished by lectures, readings and participation in class debates on major issues. Extensive use of contemporary sources (print and television current affairs, news reports and commentaries etc) can be anticipated.

This course activelyᅠ examines ᅠthe knowledge bases and tools used to investigate global changes and for developing and applying approaches to understand, and address these from local to global scales. In doing so, the physical, biological, social, economic, cultural and human dimensions of global changeᅠ processes will be explored and integrated. The course examinesᅠ how we understand global changes, and uses this to develop potential actions for sustainable societies from local to global scales.ᅠᅠ Students are exposed to key topics associated with global changes and will be expected to gain an appreciation of global change ᅠissues, and how we can can take actions in professional and personal contexts to address these.ᅠ Course materials include:ᅠ lecture (on-line) and tutorial (in-person) participation, actions, and anᅠ integrative-reflective project essay.

Course requirements

Assumed background

This course attracts students with diverse backgrounds spanning the arts and sciences. There are no formal pre-requisite courses that you have to complete. This course does not assume a specialised or technical knowledge of the scientific aspects to be addressed. Students should bring with them academic skills appropriate to 3000 level courses such as effective written and spoken communication and the ability to critically read published material.

Incompatible

You can't enrol in this course if you've already completed the following:

ENVM3210

Course contact

Course staff

Lecturer

Dr Thomas Sigler
Professor James Watson
Associate Professor Aude Bernard

Tutor

Mr Fino Valico Waristi

Timetable

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

Additional timetable information

NA

Aims and outcomes

The aim of this course is to provide a detailed overview to students of issues associated with global change, particularly different knowledge systems, and geo-spatial tools used to develop and communicate an understanding of local to global scale changes, especially the linked human and physical dimensions of global change processes.

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This aim will be achieved through buildingᅠunderstanding through reading, discussions and reflections on the content of course material and research/knowledge synthesis achieved in compilation of the assignments.

Learning outcomes

After successfully completing this course you should be able to:

LO1.

Define and explain the term global change and discuss related physical, social, cultural, economic and environmental problems and prospects.

LO2.

Examine the spatial tools that are utilized in the investigation of global change.

LO3.

Analyse and explain the physical dimensions associated with global change processes.

LO4.

Analyse and explain the socio-cultural dimensions associated with global change processes.

LO5.

Demonstrate insight into the future prospects of global change issues.

LO6.

Employ verbal and written communication skills effectively to articulate your knowledge.

LO7.

Reflect on your own learning experiences within the course.

LO8.

Discuss research findings in the area of global change.

Assessment

Assessment summary

Category Assessment task Weight Due date
Project Action Plan - Global Changes and Solutions, includes - Integrating Reading, Lecture and Tutorial Discussions 30%

5/09/2024 2:00 pm

Paper/ Report/ Annotation, Project, Reflection Action Evaluation - Global Changes and Solutions
35%

22/10/2024 2:00 pm

Essay/ Critique, Project Project Report - Global Changes and Solutions
35%

29/10/2024 2:00 pm

Assessment details

Action Plan - Global Changes and Solutions, includes - Integrating Reading, Lecture and Tutorial Discussions

Mode
Written
Category
Project
Weight
30%
Due date

5/09/2024 2:00 pm

Task description

The primary objectives of this assessment are:

(1) To reflect on our discussions and materials covered in Weeks 1-4 and use this information to select a suitable "Global change action"

(2) To plan how to build a detailed understanding of one type of "global change", including its known causes/drivers, impacts and approaches taken to reduce negative impacts of this change; and

(3) To plan an action you can take to address the actual and potential impacts of your selected "global change" and how you assess the effectiveness of that action


  

Why an Action?  In previous years, students have become disheartened about the scale and scope of global change. Identifying a meaningful action you can take at a local level will reinforce the connection between the course material and your local concerns. "Actions" can take many forms, from professional to personal activities. At professional levels this may be in relation to: changing how your agency, company or group operates; the type(s) of work it does, specific projects; or how your workplace functions? At a personal levels this could changes you make to your behaviours/lifestyle, or participation in volunteer activities etc.   

In the planning/proposal stage and final report, you will be assessed on your reflection and evaluation of the action, not the action itself.

This is an individual task.

 

For this assessment item prepare an "Action Plan" using the following headings in a structured document, up to 2500 words, (include figures, tables and references if helpful). References are not included in the word limit:

Action Plan Headings:

i) Title page

ii) Table of Contents

iii) Declaration of AI Generated Content

1. Reflection on discussions and materials from Tutorials 1-4 (weeks 1-4) and relevant literature to justify selection of your "Global Change Action"

2. For your selected global change - what types of Actions been taken to adapt or manage it previously?

 3. Outline the action you will take and its expected outcomes

 4. Outline the process(es) you will use to assess how effective your action was

5. References


Examples of “actions” you could take include:

- research an issue and write to your local Member of Parliament about it (eg climate change policy, energy policy, environmental conservation policy) or local councillor (eg urban planning, transport planning, bikeways, green space)

- join a volunteer event/group, eg planting on campus, community garden, refugee support

- join an advocacy event, eg a protest, march etc

- assist with a citizen science initiative (eg bird observations, classifying coral online)

- make change in your home or workplace - eg reduce waste, identify energy policy and discuss with decision makers how to change

- make change in your home or workplace - eg reduce waste, identify energy policy and discuss with decision makers how to change

 

Example of what is not a suitable “action”:

Discussing a global change concept or response with family, friends, colleagues.

Submission guidelines

Please submit electronically through Turnit-in on Blackboard

Deferral or extension

You may be able to apply for an extension.

The maximum extension allowed is 28 days. Extensions are given in multiples of 24 hours.

Can vary depending on circumstances

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.

Action Evaluation - Global Changes and Solutions

Mode
Written
Category
Paper/ Report/ Annotation, Project, Reflection
Weight
35%
Due date

22/10/2024 2:00 pm

Other conditions
Student specific.

See the conditions definitions

Task description

The primary objectives of this assessment are:

 A report on the implementation and evaluation or effectiveness of an action you took to address the actual and potential impacts of a selected "global change".

 

For this assessment item prepare a report on the activities you conducted and evaluated in response to your "Action Plan" using the following headings in a structured document, up to 1000 words, (include figures, tables and references if helpful). References are not included in the word limit:

 

Action Evaluation Report Structure:

1.       Title page

2.       Table of contents

3.       Declaration of AI Generated Content

4.       Introduction - Outline the action you took and justify its selection

5.       Output and Outcomes - Describe the result(s) of your action and the impact(s)/outcome(s) it produced

6.       Evaluation - Describe how effectively the implementation of your action went, and how you determined it met the intended aim and outcomes

7.       Next steps - Describe how your action could be more effectively implemented by others in future.

8.       References


Some advice: Refer to the Student Support website and the Graphic Presentation tutorial for information on the presentation of your assessment item. Please consult Student Services website (www.uq.edu.au/student ) for workshops and general advice on essay writing. The Library also offers workshops in the use of EndNote bibliographic referencing software.

 

 

Submission guidelines

Please submit electronically through Turnit-in on Blackboard

Deferral or extension

You may be able to apply for an extension.

The maximum extension allowed is 28 days. Extensions are given in multiples of 24 hours.

Can vary depending on circumstances

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.

Project Report - Global Changes and Solutions

Mode
Written
Category
Essay/ Critique, Project
Weight
35%
Due date

29/10/2024 2:00 pm

Other conditions
Student specific.

See the conditions definitions

Task description

The primary objectives of this assessment are:

A report outlining your reflections on dimensions of global change covered in Weeks 1- 10, leading to an understanding of one type of "global change", including its known causes/drivers, impacts and approaches taken to reduce negative impacts of this change; and

 

Present a report outlining the findings of your research on a selected global change topic. The report should be presented following the headings below, which are aligned with the grading criteria. The report will be a structured document, up to 3000 words, incorporating figures (images, diagrams, maps, animations etc), tables and references in support of your work. References and captions are not included in the word limit:

Report Structure:

1.       Title page

2.       Table of contents -

3.       Declaration of AI Generated Content

4.       Introduction - background to topic, definition of the selected global change and outline of main points covered in your report. [recommend - 1-2 pages]

5.       Reflections on dimensions of global change covered in Weeks 1- 10, leading to an understanding of one type of "global change", [recommend - 1-2 pages]

6.       Evidence and impacts of selected global change at one or specific spatial scales (local, regional, national, global). [recommend - 3-5 pages]

7.       Management and/or adaptations taken to reduce impacts of selected global change at individual, community, local, nation state or global scales. [recommend - 2-4 pages]

8.       Conclusions - the future impacts and management for your global change . [recommend - 1-2 pages]

9.       Reference List [no set length]

10. Appendices [supporting materials - no set length]

Submission guidelines

The assessment item MUST be submitted electronically through TurnIt-in on Blackboard.

Deferral or extension

You may be able to apply for an extension.

The maximum extension allowed is 28 days. Extensions are given in multiples of 24 hours.

Can vary depending on circumstances

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.

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 addition to achieving at least 50% overall in this course, students must also obtain at least 50% of the available marks for Global Change Essay.

4 (Pass)

Demonstrated evidence of functional achievement of course learning outcomes.

Course grade description: The minimum percentage required for this grade is: 50% In addition to achieving at least 50% overall in this course, students must also obtain at least 50% of the available marks for Global Change Essay.

5 (Credit)

Demonstrated evidence of proficient achievement of course learning outcomes.

Course grade description: The minimum percentage required for this grade is: 65% In addition to achieving at least 50% overall in this course, students must also obtain at least 50% of the available marks for Global Change Essay.

6 (Distinction)

Demonstrated evidence of advanced achievement of course learning outcomes.

Course grade description: The minimum percentage required for this grade is: 75% In addition to achieving at least 50% overall in this course, students must also obtain at least 50% of the available marks for Global Change Essay.

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 addition to achieving at least 50% overall in this course, students must also obtain at least 50% of the available marks for Global Change Essay.

Additional course grading information

The final grade for the course will typically fall within the above mentioned ranges.

Please note the application of the "rounding-up" rule when marks are on the cusp of two grades.ᅠFor example, a pass (Grade 4) is allocated to the mark range of 50 - 64%. When applying the "rounding-up" rule a mark of 49.5% will be rounded up to a pass (50%) while a mark of 49.49% will fall in grade 3 (fail). All grade ranges listed above acount for the "rounding-up" rule.

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)

The assessment tasks in this course evaluate students’ abilities, skills and knowledge without the direct aid of Artificial Intelligence (AI).

Students are required to disclose all uses of AI tools in development, research and writing of assessment.

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.

In the case of a Blackboard outage, please contact the Course Coordinator as soon as possible to confirm the outage with ITS.

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

Library resources are available on the UQ Library website.

Additional learning resources information

Please consult the School of the Environment "Current Students" andᅠ your My.UQ websites for information on essay writing and graphic presentation (available at https://environment.uq.edu.au/current-students). It is essential that you consult this material prior to submitting your assessment. You are also required to complete the University's Academic Integrity online tutorial. It will be assumed that you are familiar with the basics of academic integrity and display these principles in your assessment.

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
Lecture

Week 1: Introduction to Global Changes

Global Changes - Local to Global Solutions, course profile discussion, introductory concepts, core skill building (reflective writing)

Tutorial

Week 1: Introduction to Global Changes

Discussion of course profile and its main elements; clarification of assessment; interactive activities

Lecture

Week 2: Earth Systems Science and Science to Actions

This lecture will examine Earth Systems Science
Stuart Phinn

Lecture

Week 3: Human-Societal-Cultural Dimensions of Global Changes?

Six Degrees of Warming: The possible impacts of 6 degrees of warming on the Earth

Lecture

Week 4: Global Climate Change - Collective Human Impacts, Adaptation and Mitigation?

Global Climate Change Six Degrees of Warming: The possible impacts of 6 degrees of warming on the Earth

Lecture

Week 5: How Natural Catastrophic Events Create Global Change

Assessment of Global Change: Bushfires and Reflective-Journal -Action explanation

Lecture

Week 6: The Anthropocene: How Human Beings Changed the World

Global Disasters - the nature and impacts of global scale disasters and their changes over time.
Annie Lau

Lecture

Week 7: On-lineClass and Panel Discussion for Weeks 1-6

Examines how human societies have responded to periods of environmental change - both natural and anthropogenic.

Lecture

Week 8: - Global Biodiversity

Examines how past civilizations have responded to past environmental change.
Patrick Moss

Lecture

Week 9: Understanding and Actions: Environmental Sociology and Political Sciences

Examination of the Anthropocene period.

Lecture

Week 10: Global Change and National "Security/Securities": Which one and Why ?

This lecture examines a newly defined geological period - The Anthropocene
Annie Lau

Lecture

Week 11: To Spaceship Earth

In-class workshop to integrate material covered in Weeks 1-6 on dimensions of global change and adaptations to this locally.

Lecture

Week 12: Sustainable cities: The Future of Human Settlements

Examines mass extinction events and debate whether people are responsible for the next event.

Lecture

Week 13: Where to?: The future prospects for understanding and responding to global change and the course wrap up.

This lecture examines global biodiversity and whether we are heading into the sixth mass extinction event in Earth's history.
Annie Lau

Week 2

(29 Jul - 04 Aug)

Tutorial

Week 2: Earth System Science and Science to Actions

Actions for Adapting and Mitigating Global Change Impacts?

Week 3

(05 Aug - 11 Aug)

Tutorial

Week 3: Human-Societal-Cultural Dimensions of Global Changes?

 Human-Societal-Cultural Dimensions of Global Changes + Assessment Explainer - Action Plan + Evaluation

Week 4

(12 Aug - 18 Aug)

Tutorial

Week 4: Global Climate Change - Collective Human Impacts, Adaptation and Mitigation?

Six Degrees of Warming: The possible impacts of 6 degrees of warming on the Earth 

Week 5

(19 Aug - 25 Aug)

Tutorial

Week 5: How Natural Catastrophic Events Create Global Change

Collapse and Resilience: Examines how human societies have responded to periods of environmental change - both natural and anthropogenic. + Panel Discussion for Weeks 1-4

Week 6

(26 Aug - 01 Sep)

Tutorial

Week 6: The Anthropocene: How Human Beings Changed the World - What are our next steps ?- The Anthropocene

Food security : Global Changes. Understanding and Actions:


Week 8

(09 Sep - 15 Sep)

Tutorial

Week 8: - Global Biodiversity: This lecture examines global biodiversity and whether we are heading into the sixth mass extinction event in Earth's history.

The Sixth Extinction: Examines mass extinction events and debate whether people are responsible for the next event.

Week 9

(16 Sep - 22 Sep)

Tutorial

Week 9: Understanding and Actions: Environmental Sociology and Political Sciences

Global Change and Security: Which one and Why ? Climate, Food, Ecological National - Assessment Explainer - Global Change Essay/Report

Week 10

(30 Sep - 06 Oct)

Tutorial

Week 10: - Global Change and National "Security/Securities": Which one and Why ? Approaches for sustainable environments and societies: Review and discussion of approaches and ways forwards with - conservation, technology, natural capital - ecosystem services, traditional knowledge and practices

 Assessment Explainer - Action Plan + Evaluation - Comments from drafts

Week 11

(07 Oct - 13 Oct)

Tutorial

Week 11: To Spaceship Earth: This lecture examines human population dynamics and the carrying capacity of the Earth.

Spaceship Earth: What is a sustainable human population?  

Week 12

(14 Oct - 20 Oct)

Tutorial

Week 12: Sustainable cities: The Future of Human Settlements

Week 12: Sustainable cities: The Future of Human Settlements

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.