East Timor Field Class (GEOG30026)
Undergraduate level 3Points: 12.5Not available in 2022
From 2023 most subjects will be taught on campus only with flexible options limited to a select number of postgraduate programs and individual subjects.
To learn more, visit COVID-19 course and subject delivery.
About this subject
Overview
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This subject consists of a 10-day field trip to East Timor in the Mid-Semester non-teaching period, with a series of compulsory pre-departure information sessions in early Semester 2 and a post-trip workshop in late Semester 2. The subject is designed to develop students’ understanding of the Asia-Pacific region and in particular of the complex geographies of small island and post-conflict states. Students will gain an in situ appreciation of the historical and contemporary issues relevant to East Timor and develop their empirical and analytical research skills while carrying out small group research into the impacts of conflict, climate and culture on social and economic development and the environment. While in East Timor, students will participate in a number of rural, urban and remote site visits during which time they will interact with local communities, civil society leaders, academics, government and aid organizations.
The East Timor Field Course (GEOG30026/GEOG90025) involves a full program of activities comprising travel to and around East Timor, including across remote and rough terrain using various modes of transportation (car, boat, foot). Students will be provided with privileged access to local Timorese communities and experiences, in both an urban, regional and rural setting. The East Timor Field Course can be emotionally and physically demanding and will include a level of personal intensity and challenge, and students are expected to be active managers of their own personal health and safety (with the support of teaching staff). A further field work plan and risk assessment with Faculty Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) team review and approval will be carried out in consultation with students closer to departure. This review will cover COVID-19 global pandemic and general field/travel risk mitigation in the East Timorese and Australian context.
The field trip will be under the supervision of the subject coordinators. Students are responsible for the cost of airfares, internal travel, accommodation and food. The estimated cost is between $2000-$2500.
Please note that in the event this subject is unable to run due to travel restrictions, students will need to have a back-up enrolment option for the semester, especially if the subject needs to be completed as a capstone and/or is necessary to graduate by the end of the year. The travel situation will be re-assessed by subject coordinators in late June.
Intended learning outcomes
At the completion of this subject, students should be able to:
- Critically evaluate issues in post-conflict and small island state development;
- Contrast regional landscape diversity and climate histories and the ways in which this influences social and environmental governance;
- Apply empirical research methods and cross-cultural fieldwork.
Generic skills
On completion of this subject students should have developed the following generic skills:
- Analytical skills: ability to comprehend some of the current debates in the relevant fields and illustrate an understanding many of the key issues facing many of Australia's near neighbours;
- Software skills: capacity to use Word, PowerPoint, Excel and more specialised software;
- Critical thinlking skills: Capacity to understand small island state landscape and environmental issues;
- oral presentation skills;
- Collaborative skills: ability to conduct group field and research activities.
Last updated: 31 January 2024
Eligibility and requirements
Prerequisites
One of
| Code | Name | Teaching period | Credit Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| GEOG20012 | Post-Conflict Development and Difference | Semester 1 (Dual-Delivery - Parkville) |
12.5 |
| GEOG20002 | Landscapes and Environmental Change | Semester 1 (Dual-Delivery - Parkville) |
12.5 |
OR
GEOG20009 Landscapes and Diversity
This subject may be taken as a Capstone for the Geography major in the BA and BSc.
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: 31 January 2024
Assessment
| Description | Timing | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
Original daily field notes completed during field trip
| Week 9 | 20% |
3-person group presentation at an all-day workshop (equivalent to 1,500 words) (5 minutes per person)
| Week 11 | 30% |
A Research report and essay
| Due in the first week of the examination period | 50% |
Attendance for field trip or equivalent Hurdle requirement: Students must attend the field trip or, in the event of any late cancellation of the field trip, the online alternative in order to successfully complete this subject. | Throughout the teaching period | N/A |
Last updated: 31 January 2024
Quotas apply to this subject
Dates & times
Not available in 2022
Time commitment details
170 hours
Additional delivery details
The field class takes place during semester break.
An enrolment quota of 20 students (in undergraduate and post-graduate offering) applies to this subject. For detailed information on the quota subject application process, enrolment deadlines and selection preferences, refer to the Faculty of Science website: http://science.unimelb.edu.au/students/course-planning-and-advice
This subject requires all students to actively and safely participate in laboratory and field activities. Students undertake field trip experiences that will require them to be physically capable of undertaking outdoor field work in remote locations.
Students must complete, or have previously completed, the online Geography learning module.
Last updated: 31 January 2024
Further information
- Texts
- Off-campus study
- Related Handbook entries
This subject contributes to the following:
Type Name Informal specialisation Science Discipline subjects - new generation B-SCI Major Geography Major Geography Major Environmental Geography - 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.
Please note Single Subject Studies via Community Access Program is not available to student visa holders or applicants
Entry requirements including prerequisites may apply. Please refer to the CAP applications page for further information.
Additional information for this subject
Quota limit applied - UoM students will be given preference over CAP applicants
- Available to Study Abroad and/or Study Exchange Students
Last updated: 31 January 2024