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Risk Management and Public Participation (GEOG90020)
Graduate courseworkPoints: 12.5Not available in 2018
Overview
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This subject will provide students with the skills needed to examine, analyse, and report on risk management and public participation. The subject addresses the primary challenge of risk management, which involves determining what stakeholders want, analysing how they interpret risks, and understanding how their knowledge(s) shapes their behaviour. Added to this very complex topic is the question of how government can attempt to reshape that behaviour.
The subject will be available to social and physical scientists whose interests and/or research involve risk, vulnerability, adaptation, and resilience. It will be particularly appealing to students interested in how research can inform governance.
For further detail please see:
http://briansresearch.wordpress.com/teaching/risk-management-public-participation/
Intended learning outcomes
On completion of this subject students will:
- understand and be able to compare a range of risk theories;
- be able to apply numerous methods designed to elicit and assess perceptions relating to risk;
- be familiar with different risk framings, included the debate over expert-lay knowledge;
- be able to synthesise risk perception data;
- be aware of the complicated process of risk communication and management (i.e. government-stakeholder interactions);
- understand approaches to risk management or to public resistance to risk management.
Generic skills
Students will develop skills relating to:
- qualitative research methods and analysis, particularly those associated with public participation;
- critical thinking, having to engage with complex socio-ecological problems;
- writing and presentation skills, including academic and government-oriented policy writing;
- risk and environmental governance, including the expert-lay, public-government relationships.
Last updated: 3 November 2022
Eligibility and requirements
Prerequisites
None
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.
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
1. Book Review (20% of final grade): in the second week of class, students will be required to review one of 4 classic risk texts. This 900 word review will provide students with a foundation in risk management and/or public participation – should students wish to propose alternate texts they must be given approval from the coordinator. The guidelines for the book review will follow those common to academic journals (details in class and on the LMS). In the week following return of marked book reviews, we will discuss and debate the relevance of the books (and the associated arguments or concepts) to the subject.
2. Discussion Participation (worth 20% of final grade): each week, each student will contribute to a tutorial discussion. They will be responsible for reading the assigned text, and for developing a question for the group. Students will be assessed for the quality of their question, its connection to the theme and subject, and for their contribution to discussions following questions from other students.
3. Short essay (worth 20% of the final grade): Approximately at the mid-term, students will produce a short essay on an assigned topic (900 words). In ‘bullet point form’, this document will show how students would prepare and plan for their final exam essay; it will show their argument, rationale, and sources.
4. Final Take Home Essay (worth 40% of the final grade): This 1800 word final assessment will explore a risk management and public participation topic. It will require concise, clear writing and analysis. Students will have the option of using their empirical research (i.e., from their Masters work) should they wish. Topic and methodology will be chosen by the student, but in consultation and subject to the approval of the subject coordinator. This will be due following the SWOT vac.
All submissions subject to late penalties of 10% per day.
Last updated: 3 November 2022
Dates & times
Not available in 2018
Time commitment details
170 total time commitment
Last updated: 3 November 2022
Further information
- Texts
Prescribed texts
Readings and materials will be posted online through the LMS, though students will be responsible for the book for the review.
- Related Handbook entries
This subject contributes to the following:
Type Name Course Master of Geography Course Master of Environmental Science Major Climate Change Major Climate Change Major Development Major Development Major Development Major Environmental Science Major Environmental Science Major Waste Management Major Integrated Water Catchment Management Major Tailored Specialisation Major Integrated Water Catchment Management Major Integrated Water Catchment Management Major Tailored Specialisation Major Tailored Specialisation Major Tailored Specialisation Major Tailored Specialisation Major Tailored Specialisation Major Waste Management - 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