Course Outline

INT102 Global Environmental Politics

Course Coordinator:Stefanie Fishel (sfishel@usc.edu.au) School:School of Law and Society

2024Semester 2

UniSC Sunshine Coast

Blended learning Most of your course is on campus but you may be able to do some components of this course online.

Online

Online You can do this course without coming onto campus.

Please go to usc.edu.au for up to date information on the
teaching sessions and campuses where this course is usually offered.

What is this course about?

Description

This course examines global environmental politics by focusing on the institutions, policy frameworks, and forms of global governance related to the environment in world politics. A number of global environmental issues will be studied including climate change, biodiversity, oceans, forests and ecosystems. The focus is on global environmental policies, treaties, and institutions alongside the role of the state and civil society, and the links between globalisation and sustainability. This course offers you an unique experience of a simulation of global environmental policy making. 

How will this course be delivered?

Activity Hours Beginning Week Frequency
Blended learning
Learning materials – Weekly online materials 1hr Week 1 13 times
Tutorial/Workshop 1 – on campus tutorial 2hrs Week 1 13 times
Online
Learning materials – Weekly online materials 1hr Week 1 13 times
Tutorial/Workshop 1 – Online tutorial 2hrs Week 1 13 times

Course Topics

Studying Enviromental Politics

The Anthropocene

Responding the Anthropocene: Policy and Law

Responding the Anthropocene: Activism and Politics

Policy and Wicked Problems

Global Environmental Policy

Climate Change

Renewable Energy 

Biodiversity

Water

Waste 

Pollution

Global Environmental Justice

What level is this course?

100 Level (Introductory)

Engaging with discipline knowledge and skills at foundational level, broad application of knowledge and skills in familiar contexts and with support. Limited or no prerequisites. Normally, associated with the first full-time study year of an undergraduate program.

What is the unit value of this course?

12 units

How does this course contribute to my learning?

Course Learning Outcomes On successful completion of this course, you should be able to... Graduate Qualities Completing these tasks successfully will contribute to you becoming...
1 Use critical reasoning to evaluate the way global environmental politics, governance, and policy works domestically and internationally. Creative and critical thinker
2 Critique the challenges facing the global environment and our institutions. Empowered
Ethical
Sustainability-focussed
3 Communicate research through written and oral modes. Engaged
4 Identify and describe key political and institutional bodies and their functions, roles, relationships and responsibilities in the global world order. Knowledgeable

Am I eligible to enrol in this course?

Refer to the UniSC Glossary of terms for definitions of “pre-requisites, co-requisites and anti-requisites”.

Pre-requisites

Not applicable

Co-requisites

Not applicable

Anti-requisites

Not applicable

Specific assumed prior knowledge and skills (where applicable)

Not applicable

How am I going to be assessed?

Grading Scale

Standard Grading (GRD)

High Distinction (HD), Distinction (DN), Credit (CR), Pass (PS), Fail (FL).

Details of early feedback on progress

The weekly Quizzes, commencing in Week 2, will be used to provide early feedback on the understanding of the course content.

Assessment tasks

Delivery mode Task No. Assessment Product Individual or Group Weighting % What is the duration / length? When should I submit? Where should I submit it?
All 1 Quiz/zes Individual 20%
20 minutes
Throughout teaching period (refer to Format) Online Test (Quiz)
All 2 Examination - not Centrally Scheduled Individual 30%
Approximately two hours to complete exam with one week preparation time for the essay questions.
Week 7 Online Test (Quiz)
All 3 Artefact - Creative, and Written Piece Group 50%
1000-1500
Exam Period Online Assignment Submission with plagiarism check
All - Assessment Task 1:Quizzes
Goal:
You will identify key political and institutional bodies and their functions, roles, relationships and responsibilities in the global world order.
Product: Quiz/zes
Format:
Weekly quizzes on readings and course materials starting in week 2.  Multiple Choice questions on Canvas.
Criteria:
No. Learning Outcome assessed
1
Identification of concepts, practices and key issues
4
All - Assessment Task 2:Mutiple choice and Long Answer Essay
Goal:
This assessment is requires you to take the online quizzes and keep current on the weekly readings. This assesses the student on their comprehension of the topics covered in the forst of the first seven weeks of class.
Product: Examination - not Centrally Scheduled
Format:
20 question mutiple choice test and essay questions submitted in Canvas.
Criteria:
No. Learning Outcome assessed
1
Identification of key global environmental problems and political institutions
1 3
2
Identification of relations between state/group to global environmental policy
1 2 4
3
Critique the challenges facing the global environment and our institutions.
1 4
4
Critical reasoning
1
All - Assessment Task 3:Final Essay
Goal:
To draw out and elaborate on a key topic (or topics) of the course which interest you most. Re-read and reflect on your weekly reading summaries. Ponder a constellation of themes or issues which you have explored across the whole span of the semester.
Product: Artefact - Creative, and Written Piece
Format:
Write a well-thought-out essay or creative output of approximately 1000-1500 words discussing some aspect of those themes or issues using weekly reading summaries and discussion posts and other outside research if needed. Final product is chosen by the student. The sssessment needs to demonstrate that student can identify environmental problems and institutions that respond to them; show what and relations exist between groups, issues, policy, law or advocacy/activism. Examples include an informative or argumentative essay, advocacy letter, a podcast, a blog, or a legal brief. Examples of past assessments will be provided.
Criteria:
No. Learning Outcome assessed
1
Scholarly and authoritative reference sources are used to directly support claims and arguments
1 3
2
Demonstrates critical thinking, analysis and synthesis of argument
1 2
3
Effective communication
1 3

Directed study hours

A 12-unit course will have total of 150 learning hours which will include directed study hours (including online if required), self-directed learning and completion of assessable tasks. Student workload is calculated at 12.5 learning hours per one unit.

What resources do I need to undertake this course?

Please note: Course information, including specific information of recommended readings, learning activities, resources, weekly readings, etc. are available on the course Canvas site– Please log in as soon as possible.

Prescribed text(s) or course reader

Please note that you need to have regular access to the resource(s) listed below. Resources may be required or recommended.

Required? Author Year Title Edition Publisher
Required John McCormick 2017 Environmental Politics and Policy n/a Palgrave

Specific requirements

Not applicable

How are risks managed in this course?

Health and safety risks for this course have been assessed as low. It is your responsibility to review course material, search online, discuss with lecturers and peers and understand the health and safety risks associated with your specific course of study and to familiarise yourself with the University’s general health and safety principles by reviewing the online induction training for students, and following the instructions of the University staff.

What administrative information is relevant to this course?

Assessment: Academic Integrity

Academic integrity is the ethical standard of university participation.  It ensures that students graduate as a result of proving they are competent in their discipline.  This is integral in maintaining the value of academic qualifications. Each industry has expectations and standards of the skills and knowledge within that discipline and these are reflected in assessment.

Academic integrity means that you do not engage in any activity that is considered to be academic fraud; including plagiarism, collusion or outsourcing any part of any assessment item to any other person.  You are expected to be honest and ethical by completing all work yourself and indicating in your work which ideas and information were developed by you and which were taken from others. You cannot provide your assessment work to others. You are also expected to provide evidence of wide and critical reading, usually by using appropriate academic references.

In order to minimise incidents of academic fraud, this course may require that some of its assessment tasks, when submitted to Canvas, are electronically checked through Turnitin.  This software allows for text comparisons to be made between your submitted assessment item and all other work to which Turnitin has access.

Assessment: Additional Requirements

Your eligibility for supplementary assessment in a course is dependent of the following conditions applying:

The final mark is in the percentage range 47% to 49.4%
The course is graded using the Standard Grading scale
You have not failed an assessment task in the course due to academic misconduct

Assessment: Submission penalties

Late submission of assessment tasks may be penalised at the following maximum rate: 
- 5% (of the assessment task's identified value) per day for the first two days from the date identified as the due date for the assessment task. 
- 10% (of the assessment task's identified value) for the third day - 20% (of the assessment task's identified value) for the fourth day and subsequent days up to and including seven days from the date identified as the due date for the assessment task. 
- A result of zero is awarded for an assessment task submitted after seven days from the date identified as the due date for the assessment task. Weekdays and weekends are included in the calculation of days late. To request an extension you must contact your course coordinator to negotiate an outcome.

SafeUniSC

UniSC is committed to a culture of respect and providing a safe and supportive environment for all members of our community. For immediate assistance on campus contact SafeUniSC by phone: 07 5430 1168 or using the SafeZone app. For general enquires contact the SafeUniSC team by phone 07 5456 3864 or email safe@usc.edu.au.

The SafeUniSC Specialist Service is a Student Wellbeing service that provides free and confidential support to students who may have experienced or observed behaviour that could cause fear, offence or trauma. To contact the service call 07 5430 1226 or email studentwellbeing@usc.edu.au.

Study help

For help with course-specific advice, for example what information to include in your assessment, you should first contact your tutor, then your course coordinator, if needed.

If you require additional assistance, the Learning Advisers are trained professionals who are ready to help you develop a wide range of academic skills. Visit the Learning Advisers web page for more information, or contact Student Central for further assistance: +61 7 5430 2890 or studentcentral@usc.edu.au.

Wellbeing Services

Student Wellbeing provide free and confidential counselling on a wide range of personal, academic, social and psychological matters, to foster positive mental health and wellbeing for your academic success.

To book a confidential appointment go to Student Hub, email studentwellbeing@usc.edu.au or call 07 5430 1226.

AccessAbility Services

Ability Advisers ensure equal access to all aspects of university life. If your studies are affected by a disability, learning disorder mental health issue, injury or illness, or you are a primary carer for someone with a disability or who is considered frail and aged, AccessAbility Services can provide access to appropriate reasonable adjustments and practical advice about the support and facilities available to you throughout the University.

To book a confidential appointment go to Student Hub, email AccessAbility@usc.edu.au or call 07 5430 2890.

Links to relevant University policy and procedures

For more information on Academic Learning & Teaching categories including:

  • Assessment: Courses and Coursework Programs
  • Review of Assessment and Final Grades
  • Supplementary Assessment
  • Central Examinations
  • Deferred Examinations
  • Student Conduct
  • Students with a Disability

For more information, visit https://www.usc.edu.au/explore/policies-and-procedures#academic-learning-and-teaching

Student Charter

UniSC is committed to excellence in teaching, research and engagement in an environment that is inclusive, inspiring, safe and respectful. The Student Charter sets out what students can expect from the University, and what in turn is expected of students, to achieve these outcomes.

General Enquiries

  • In person:
    • UniSC Sunshine Coast - Student Central, Ground Floor, Building C, 90 Sippy Downs Drive, Sippy Downs
    • UniSC Moreton Bay - Service Centre, Ground Floor, Foundation Building, Gympie Road, Petrie
    • UniSC SouthBank - Student Central, Building A4 (SW1), 52 Merivale Street, South Brisbane
    • UniSC Gympie - Student Central, 71 Cartwright Road, Gympie
    • UniSC Fraser Coast - Student Central, Student Central, Building A, 161 Old Maryborough Rd, Hervey Bay
    • UniSC Caboolture - Student Central, Level 1 Building J, Cnr Manley and Tallon Street, Caboolture
  • Tel:+61 7 5430 2890
  • Email:studentcentral@usc.edu.au