East Timor Field Class (GEOG30026)
Undergraduate level 3Points: 12.5Off Campus
Overview
| Availability(Quotas apply) | March - Off Campus |
|---|---|
| Fees | Look up fees |
This subject consists of a 12-day field trip to East Timor in the mid-year break, with a series of compulsory pre-departure information sessions in late semester 1 and a post-trip workshop in early Semester two. 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 Class subject (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 Class subject 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, risk assessment, with Faculty OHS team review and approval, covering COVID-19 global pandemic and general field/travel risk mitigation in the East Timorese and Australian context will be carried out in consultation with students closer to departure.
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. Expected costs for the field class in 2025 will between $5000-$6000 (in addition to tuition fees). To offset subject travel costs students are able to apply for a New Colombo Plan Mobility Program scholarship of $3000 (subject to eligibility). The Mobility Program is open to Australian university undergraduates aged 18 to 28. Participation by undergraduates over 28 is permitted in some circumstances (as outlined in the Guidelines).
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: 4 March 2025
Eligibility and requirements
Prerequisites
One of
| Code | Name | Teaching period | Credit Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| GEOG20012 | Post-Conflict Development and Difference | Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
| GEOG20002 | Landscapes and Environmental Change | Semester 1 (On Campus - 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
Non-allowed subjects
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: 4 March 2025
Assessment
| Description | Timing | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
A Research report and essay
| Prior to departure to Timor-Leste for field trip | 50% |
Original daily field notes (max 100 words per day) completed during field trip
| End of field intensive | 20% |
Attendance for field trip or equivalent Hurdle requirement: Students must attend the field trip in order to successfully complete this subject. | Throughout the teaching period | N/A |
3-person group presentation at an all-day workshop (equivalent to 1,500 words) (5 minutes per person)
| End of the assessment period | 30% |
Last updated: 4 March 2025
Quotas apply to this subject
Dates & times
- March - Off Campus
Coordinator Lisa Palmer Mode of delivery Off Campus Contact hours An intensive 15 day subject with a 12 day field excursion (8 hours per day), 2 x 4hr briefings pre-departure, and one 8-hr post-field trip workshop 2 x 4 hour pre-departure lectures held Semester 1 Weeks 10 & 11 12-day field class during mid-year break in early July Full-day post fieldtrip workshop Semester 2 Week 1 Total time commitment 170 hours Teaching period 12 March 2025 to 31 July 2025 Last self-enrol date 9 April 2025 Census date 11 April 2025 Last date to withdraw without fail 13 June 2025 Assessment period ends 31 July 2025 March contact information
Time commitment details
170 hours
What do these dates mean
Visit this webpage to find out about these key dates, including how they impact on:
- Your tuition fees, academic transcript and statements.
- And for Commonwealth Supported students, your:
- Student Learning Entitlement. This applies to all students enrolled in a Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP).
Subjects withdrawn after the census date (including up to the ‘last day to withdraw without fail’) count toward the Student Learning Entitlement.
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: https://science.unimelb.edu.au/students/quota-subjects
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: 4 March 2025
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: 4 March 2025