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GEPL307 Climate Change and Future Planning

Updated: 19 April 2010
Credit Points 6
Offering
Responsible Campus Teaching Period Mode of Study Online Level
Armidale Semester 2 Off Campus C - Internet access required
Intensive School(s) None
Supervised Exam There is a UNE Supervised Examination held at the end of the teaching period in which you are enrolled.
Pre-requisites 12cp or candidature in a postgraduate award
Co-requisites None
Restrictions GEAR107 or GEAR207
Notes None
Combined Units None
Coordinator(s) Robert Baker (rbaker1@une.edu.au)
Unit Description

This unit looks at the evidence, predictions and the resulting planning implications of global warming and climate change. The evidence is evaluated for temperature anomalies, glacial retreat and changes in rainfall patterns for the 20th century. Past climates over the last 100,000 years are examined particularly for human societies over the past 6000 years. The predictions of the impacts of future climate change will be analysed with the planning implications at a local, regional and national level considered. The forecasting of drought and the questions of water management will be discussed. The students will appreciate the complex scientific and planning arguments of future resource management for urban and rural communities.
Prescribed Material
Mandatory 		Text(s):

Note: Students are expected to purchase prescribed material

Dire Predictions: Understanding Global Warming
ISBN: 9780756639952
Mann, M.E. and Kump, L.R., Dorling Kindersley 2009
Text refers to: Semester 2 , Off Campus
Disclaimer Unit information may be subject to change prior to commencement of the teaching period.
Assessment
Title Exam Length Weight Mode No. Words
Essay 30% 1500
Relates to Learning Outcomes (LO) and Graduate Attributes (GA)
LO: 1-4 GA: 1, 2, 3, 5 and 6
Essay 30% 1500
Relates to Learning Outcomes (LO) and Graduate Attributes (GA)
LO: 1-4 GA: 1, 2, 3, 5 and 6
Final Examination 2 hrs 40%
Relates to Learning Outcomes (LO) and Graduate Attributes (GA)
LO: 1-5 GA: 1-6

Learning Outcomes (LO) Upon completion of this unit, students will be able to:
  1. demonstrate an appreciation of humanity's need to understand climate in the past, present and future to plan for the future well-being of human societies;
  2. demonstrate an understanding of methodologies for forecasting or predicting future climate events from the past;
  3. analyse and evaluate many planning issues arising from society's desire to control or influence the future events of natural systems;
  4. demonstrate an understanding of the evidence used in the arguments for 20th century global warming and the economic, environmental and social policy implications both locally and globally;
  5. demonstrate a capacity for developing cogent arguments and (On Campus Students) enhanced presentation skills;
  6. apply enhanced skills in use of electronic data and information sources.

Graduate Attributes (GA)
Attribute Taught Assessed Practised
1 Knowledge of a Discipline
The students will understand the major issues in the climate change debate from both sides and be able to make informed commentary on them. 		True True True
2 Communication Skills
The students present written essays with a bibliography. 		True True True
3 Global Perspectives
The students will be aware of the global consequences of climate change, and understand the role of the media. 		True True True
4 Information Literacy
The students present two written essays, and complete an exam. 		True True
5 Life-Long Learning
Students will be aware of the importance of conservation of resources globally and individually. 		True True
6 Problem Solving
The student looks at the evidence from both sides of the climate change debate. 		True True True
7 Social Responsibility
The students undertake a review of the film Inconvenient Truth, and understand the political and social consequences for countries and individuals. 		True
8 Team Work
The students are to conduct group discussion on the web pages in the unit. 		True
   

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