James Cook University Subject Handbook - 2016

EV2011 - The Case for Sustainability

Credit points: 03
Year: 2016
Student Contribution Band: Band 2
Administered by: College of Science and Engineering

This subject will consider some of the most pressing sustainability challenges facing the world today. Using a range of case studies from Australia and around the world, students will come to understand the complex and interdisciplinary nature of sustainability problems. The case studies will demonstrate the inter-dependency of ecosystem functions and services (e.g. climate, soils, biodiversity) and humanity's interactions (and impacts) with these. Case studies, involving different approaches supporting sustainability, will be drawn from a variety of contexts, including: policy development; technology; manufacturing; energy; community; resource management; conservation; sustainable consumption; biodiversity management; urban development and living. The practical/tutorial sessions will provide students with additional insights to these and introduce some of the techniques utilised by sustainability practitioners involved in sustainable development initiatives e.g. working with complex systems; sustainability indicator development and data identification, management and interpretation; multi-criteria analysis/decision-making; education and training for sustainability; 'triple-bottom-line' (ecological, social, economic) accounting and reporting.

Learning Outcomes

Prerequisites:12 CREDITS AT LEVEL 1 INCLUDING EV1011 OR EV1005

Availabilities

Cairns, Internal, Study Period 2
Census Date 25-Aug-2016
Coordinator: Dr Colin MacGregor
Contact hours:
  • 26 hours lectures
  • 24 hours practicals
  • 8 hours fieldwork
Assessment:quizzes or tests (10%); presentations (10%); assignments (30%); end of semester report (25%); practicals, tutorials & field exercises (10%); mcdm report (15%).

JCU Singapore, Internal, Study Period 51
Census Date 07-Apr-2016
Coordinator: Dr Colin MacGregor
Contact hours:
  • 26 hours lectures
  • 24 hours practicals
  • 8 hours fieldwork
Assessment:creative work (10%); assignments (15%); end of semester report (25%); field trip report (20%); practicals, tutorials & field exercises (30%).

JCU Singapore, Internal, Study Period 53
Census Date 08-Dec-2016
Coordinator: Dr Colin MacGregor
Contact hours:
  • 26 hours lectures
  • 24 hours practicals
  • 8 hours fieldwork
Assessment:creative work (10%); assignments (15%); end of semester report (25%); field trip report (20%); practicals, tutorials & field exercises (30%).

JCU Singapore, Internal, Study Period 52
Census Date 11-Aug-2016
Coordinator: Dr Colin MacGregor
Contact hours:
  • 26 hours lectures
  • 24 hours practicals
  • 8 hours fieldwork
Assessment:creative work (10%); assignments (15%); end of semester report (25%); field trip report (20%); practicals, tutorials & field exercises (30%).

Note: Minor variations might occur due to the continuous Subject quality improvement process, and in case of minor variation(s) in assessment details, the Subject Outline represents the latest official information.