James Cook University Subject Handbook - 2003

EV5051:03

Environmental Decision Making in Tropical Australia *

26 hours lectures, 26 hours tutorials, 16 hours practicals. Semester 2.

This subject will provide students with the ability to apply a wide range of tools to resolve planning and decision-making problems for the sustainable management of tropical Australian environments. Students will become familiar with the social, economic and political contexts of decision making in tropical Australia and will have an understanding of the roles of various stakeholders and ‘players’ in the decision making process. Students will also have an understanding of the affect that differing perspectives, ethics and values have on the decision making process. Students will be able to better understand the complex issues surrounding management and decision making in tropical Australia. It is anticipated that learning outcomes will also include a number of generic skills, which will assist students in the workplace such as working as part of a team; communication; literacy and computer literacy.

Learning Objectives:

1. demonstrate an understanding of planning and decision making theory and its relationship to processes and tools used to develop environmental policy and make environmental decisions in tropical Australia today;
2. demonstrate an understanding of the relationships between political decision makers, public service advisers and those who have the responsibility of implementing environmental policy in the real world;
3. discuss the historical and contemporary factors that differentiate environmental decision making in tropical Australia from other parts of the continent;
4. discuss the relevance of personal values systems, beliefs and ethics of relevant stakeholders and decision makers and how these can influence the decision making process;
5. demonstrate the capacity to communicate clearly and organise and work with a team of people to solve an environmental problem.

Assessment by on-line assessment (20%); practical/group report (30%); review essay (20%); examination (30%).