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Africa: Environment, Development, People (GEOG30024)

Undergraduate level 3Points: 12.5On Campus (Parkville)

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Overview

Availability
Semester 2
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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

On completion of this subject students will be able to:


  • Differentiate environmental, social and development perspectives and issues in Africa;
  • Appraise competing approaches in order to move beyond media stereotypes of Africa;
  • Formulate and defend reasoned and well-supported arguments concerning issues of contemporary importance in Africa;
  • Critically analyse representations of Africa from a range of sources in written assignments.

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: 3 June 2023

Eligibility and requirements

Prerequisites

a minimum of 50 credit points of Level 1, 2 or 3 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: 3 June 2023

Assessment

DescriptionTimingPercentage

Book reviews or reading assignments

  • 1000 words
Mid semester25%

An open essay

  • 2000 words
End of semester50%

A class test

End of semester20%

Tutorial attendance and participation

5%

Last updated: 3 June 2023

Dates & times

  • Semester 2
    Principal coordinatorSimon Batterbury
    Mode of deliveryOn Campus (Parkville)
    Contact hoursone 2-hour lecture & one 1-hour tutorial per week
    Total time commitment170 hours
    Teaching period24 July 2023 to 22 October 2023
    Last self-enrol date 4 August 2023
    Census date31 August 2023
    Last date to withdraw without fail22 September 2023
    Assessment period ends17 November 2023

    Semester 2 contact information

    simonpjb@unimelb.edu.au

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).
    - Completion rate. Students who started their course from 2022 and are in a CSP or receiving a HELP Loan (eg FEE-HELP) must meet the completion rate to continue to receive Commonwealth Support for that course.

Subjects withdrawn after the census date (including up to the ‘last day to withdraw without fail’) count toward the Student Learning Entitlement, and as a fail toward the completion rate, unless there are approved ‘special circumstances’.

Last updated: 3 June 2023

Further information

Last updated: 3 June 2023