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Africa: Environment, Development, People (GEOG30024)
Undergraduate level 3Points: 12.5On Campus (Parkville)
About this subject
- Overview
- Eligibility and requirements
- Assessment
- Dates and times
- Further information
- Timetable(opens in new window)
Contact information
Semester 2
Overview
| Availability | Semester 2 |
|---|---|
| Fees | Look up fees |
This subject introduces students to the physical environment, history and development challenges facing contemporary Sub-Saharan Africa. Students will examine in detail intellectual and ethical debates surrounding the strategies undertaken by postcolonial African states and the overseas development “industry” to tackle poverty, inequality, environmental change and the colonial legacy. Students will consider how Africa’s problems are portrayed and understood by the rest of the world. Topics may include: the physical environment and competing understandings of environmental change; the history and governance of the continent; regional case studies (West Africa and the D.R. Congo); agrarian transformations and rural livelihoods; development projects and rise of the NGO; military conflict and mineral wealth; hunger, famine, and the controversies of the relief industry; forestry; wildlife conservation; and urban geographies.
Intended learning outcomes
To provide broad understanding of environmental, social and development issues in Africa.
Generic skills
- Understand contemporary challenges facing Africans in their historical, political, and environmental context.
- Be able to conduct independent research on African topics, using a variety of media.
- Be able to exercise critical judgement in written assignments and tutorial discussion.
Last updated: 22 November 2023
Eligibility and requirements
Prerequisites
50 points of first, second or third year geography/anthropology/development studies/politics/planning/environments subjects or approval of the subject coordinator.
Corequisites
None
Non-allowed subjects
None
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.
This course requires all students to actively and safely participate in field excursions and laboratory activities. Students who feel their disability may impact upon their participation are encouraged to discuss this matter with the Subject Coordinator and Student Equity and Disability Support.
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: 22 November 2023
Assessment
Additional details
Book reviews or reading assignments of 1000 words 25% (due mid-semester), an open essay of 2000 words 50% (due end of semester), a class test 20% (at the end of semester) and tutorial attendance and participation 5%.
Last updated: 22 November 2023
Dates & times
- Semester 2
Principal coordinator Emmanuel Awoh Mode of delivery On Campus (Parkville) Contact hours one 2-hour lecture & one 1-hour tutorial per week Total time commitment 170 hours Teaching period 23 July 2018 to 21 October 2018 Last self-enrol date 3 August 2018 Census date 31 August 2018 Last date to withdraw without fail 21 September 2018 Assessment period ends 16 November 2018 Semester 2 contact information
Time commitment details
170 hours
Last updated: 22 November 2023
Further information
- Texts
Prescribed texts
Recommended texts and other resources
Stock R. 2012. Africa south of the Sahara: a geographical interpretation. Guilford Press.
Moseley, W.G. (ed.) 2011. Taking Sides: Clashing Views on African Issues. McGraw-Hill.
Binns A, A.Dixon and E.Nel. 2012. Africa:Diversity and Development. Routledge.
- Subject notes
Students who have completed 121-494 Africa: Environment, Development, People may not enrol in this subject.
Students enrolled in the BSc (pre-2008 degree), or a combined BSc course (except for the BA/BSc) will receive science credit for the completion of this subject.
- Related Handbook entries
This subject contributes to the following:
Type Name Course Master of Geography Course Master of Science (Geography) Informal specialisation Human Geography Informal specialisation Environments Discipline subjects Major Geography Major Environmental Geography Informal specialisation Selective subjects for B-BMED Minor Development Studies Minor Environmental Studies Major Geography Informal specialisation Human Geography Major Human Geography Informal specialisation Science-credited subjects - new generation B-SCI and B-ENG. - Breadth options
This subject is available as breadth in the following courses:
- 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: 22 November 2023