MSI5120 · Perspectives on environment, society and governance

Overview

Sustainability is theorised and practically described in many ways. Differences in understanding what problems we face, the nature of the problems, the available solution pathways, and how to implement them can all pose barriers to effective, coordinated action. This unit unpacks the diverse ways stakeholders may perceive, interpret and act upon complex issues impacting our environment, society and governance. This unit will develop your understanding of how sustainability might be framed and understood across sectors, by critically examining key theories and frameworks used by government, corporate and community-oriented organisations. This awareness will help you to recognise assumptions, strengths and weaknesses of different approaches. The unit will introduce tools to practically map, investigate and understand the perspectives held by stakeholders in real-world case study issues.

Offerings

Assessment

The Handbook does not list a final examination among the assessment items. That is not a guarantee there is none.

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

1. Evaluate and critique the historical roots, concepts, frameworks and current debates on sustainability and sustainable development;
2. Examine environmental, social and economic dimensions of sustainability and their interactions;
3. Analyse different values and perspectives on sustainability and sustainable development;
4. Construct and effectively communicate critical arguments about global sustainability issues;
5. Reflect on personal influences, assumptions and biases regarding sustainability issues, and articulate how these may influence one's approach to practicing in this field.

Workload

This unit will be delivered over a period of 6 weeks. This will include independent self-paced work on online materials and assignments across the teaching period. It will also include synchronous (live) classes. These will be four 2-hour online evening workshops, and one 2-day on-campus intensive (16 hours in total). The combination of classes and independent work will total 144 hours.

Student experience, not official rules. Nothing here changes what the Handbook says.