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Interdisciplinarity and the Environment (MULT90005)
Graduate courseworkPoints: 12.5On Campus (Parkville)
About this subject
- Overview
- Eligibility and requirements
- Assessment
- Dates and times
- Further information
- Timetable(opens in new window)
Contact information
March
Semester 2
Overview
Availability | March Semester 2 |
---|---|
Fees | Look up fees |
Environmental issues are often complex, controversial and associated with uncertain knowledge. In this context, Interdisciplinary and Environment explores the ‘knowledge challenges’ that environmental professionals face in their everyday work. Particular attention is given to the challenges of integrating knowledge across disciplines and sectors. Through a discussion of integrated and interdisciplinary research on the environment we will examine broader questions about the context, forms and purpose of contemporary knowledge production and use for environmental policy and management questions. We will consider the values increasingly used to determine whether certain knowledge is a valid guide for environmental action and how these values both encourage and challenge integrated knowledge for environmental decision making. Incorporating perspectives from a broad range of environmental professionals and academics, the subject draws on and develops students’ practical understanding of knowledge production systems, including the role played by academics, consultants, think tanks, and NGOs in environmental decision making.
The course focuses on the following main questions:
- How does the way we frame environmental issues influence the kinds of knowledge seen as relevant to environmental decision making, and the kinds of solutions we consider? What strategies can assist in reframing environmental problems?
- What are the challenges in integrating knowledge across disciplines and sectors, and what strategies can help environmental professionals meet those challenges?
Intended learning outcomes
On completion of this subject students will be able to:
- Evaluate the ways knowledge is created and applied in a variety of environmental professional practices.
- Distinguish the advantages and disadvantages of interdisciplinary and disciplinary knowledge production for researchers and decision makers in different settings.
- Develop and practice utilising key collaboration skills notably: self-reflexion; clear communication of specialist knowledge; understanding of and respect for others’ perspectives; and integration of different types of knowledge.
Generic skills
Students in this unit should:
1. Enhance their interdisciplinary thinking and learning skills, including skills for collaboration, integration and translation of knowledge across disciplines.
2. Further develop their critical thinking though readings, class discussions, collaboration and assessment.
3. Further develop analytical approaches to environmental issues of complexity and uncertainty.
Last updated: 3 November 2022
Eligibility and requirements
Prerequisites
Code | Name | Teaching period | Credit Points |
---|---|---|---|
MULT90004 | Sustainability Governance and Leadership |
March (On Campus - Parkville)
July (On Campus - Parkville)
|
12.5 |
Corequisites
None
Non-allowed subjects
None
Recommended background knowledge
This subject should be taken in the final semester or year of the Master of Environment
Inherent requirements (core participation requirements)
The University of Melbourne is committed to providing students with reasonable adjustments to assessment and participation under the Disability Standards for Education (2005), and the Assessment and Results Policy (MPF1326). Students are expected to meet the core participation requirements for their course. These can be viewed under Entry and Participation Requirements for the course outlines in the Handbook.
Further details on how to seek academic adjustments can be found on the Student Equity and Disability Support website: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/student-equity/home
Last updated: 3 November 2022
Assessment
Additional details
- A 1,500 word reflective essay, worth 30% of the overall mark for this subject (for March commencement, due week 4; for Semester 2 commencement, due week 6).
- A 3,500 assignment, consisting of a collaborative briefing paper and an individual reflective essay, worth 70% of the overall mark for this subject (for March commencement, due week 10; for Semester 2 commencement, due the week following the SWOT VAC period). This assignment requires collaboration in small project groups.
Last updated: 3 November 2022
Dates & times
- March
Principal coordinator Stephanie Lavau Mode of delivery On Campus (Parkville) Contact hours Combination of lectures (18 hours) and tutorials (18 hours) = 36 contact hours (6 hours x 6 weeks for March commencement; 3 hours x 12 weeks for Semester 2 commencement) Total time commitment 170 hours Teaching period 3 March 2017 to 7 April 2017 Last self-enrol date 10 March 2017 Census date 24 March 2017 Last date to withdraw without fail 21 April 2017 Assessment period ends 19 May 2017 March contact information
- Semester 2
Mode of delivery On Campus (Parkville) Contact hours Combination of lectures (18 hours) and tutorials (18 hours) = 36 contact hours (6 hours x 6 weeks for March commencement; 3 hours x 12 weeks for Semester 2 commencement) Total time commitment 170 hours Teaching period 24 July 2017 to 22 October 2017 Last self-enrol date 4 August 2017 Census date 31 August 2017 Last date to withdraw without fail 22 September 2017 Assessment period ends 17 November 2017 Semester 2 contact information
Time commitment details
Approximately 170 hours, comprising class time, preparation and assignments.
Last updated: 3 November 2022
Further information
- Texts
Prescribed texts
N/A
- Related Handbook entries
This subject contributes to the following:
- Links to additional information
- Available through the Community Access Program
About the Community Access Program (CAP)
This subject is available through the Community Access Program (also called Single Subject Studies) which allows you to enrol in single subjects offered by the University of Melbourne, without the commitment required to complete a whole degree.
Entry requirements including prerequisites may apply. Please refer to the CAP applications page for further information.
Last updated: 3 November 2022