Units / ATS3246
ATS3246 · Environmental analysis
2026 Handbook6 credit pointsLevel 3Human Geography Anthropology & Development Studies
Last checked: 23 Aug 2026 UTCOverview
In this unit you will explore tools for environmental analysis and decision-making around development projects, production processes, and governmental policies. You will focus on Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA), a key tool for environmental management and reporting. We learn how EIAs are conducted, and scrutinise their merits, limitations, and controversies. We also discuss Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) and Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA), connecting these tools to contemporary topics such as sustainable food production, the Paris Agreement, and ‘negative emissions’ concepts. Throughout, you will examine the dynamic interaction between scientists, policy makers and the broader community through a series of in-class debates, discussions, and activities around environmental justice.
Offerings
| Campus | Teaching period | Mode |
|---|---|---|
| Clayton | First semester | Some activities have a choice of on-campus or online teaching activities (FLEXIBLE) |
Assessment
The Handbook does not list a final examination among the assessment items. That is not a guarantee there is none.
| # | Assessment | Type | Weight | Hurdle |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Report | Written | 40% | — |
| 2 | Multimedia | Artefact | 30% | — |
| 3 | Policy brief | Written | 30% | — |
Within semester assessment: 100%
Assessment details may change. Please refer to the assessment information in Moodle closer to the start of the teaching period.
Requisites
The Handbook lists no prerequisite, corequisite or prohibition for this unit.
Learning outcomes
- recognise and apply the process of Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) for development projects;
- identify and showcase how Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) can inform sustainable production processes;
- evaluate the influence of Strategic Environmental Assessments (SEA) in policy development;
- critically analyse the EIA, LCA, and SEA literature in the context of environmental decision making.
Workload
Minimum total expected workload to achieve the learning outcomes for this unit is 144 hours per semester typically comprising a mixture of scheduled learning activities and independent study. Scheduled activities may include a combination of teacher directed learning, peer directed learning and online engagement.
| Activity | Duration |
|---|---|
| Lectures | 12 hours |
| Workshops | 24 hours |
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