PEAC504 Environmental Security

Updated: 05 January 2010

Unit Information
Additional Information

Credit Points	6
Offering	Not offered in 2010
Intensive School(s)	None
Supervised Exam	There is no UNE Supervised Examination.
Pre-requisites	candidature in a postgraduate award
Co-requisites	None
Restrictions	PDPS302 or PDPS402 or PEAC302 or PEAC402 or PEAC304
Notes	None
Combined Units	PEAC304 - Environmental Security
Coordinator(s)	Bert Jenkins (bjenkins@une.edu.au)
Unit Description	This unit allows students to undertake applied social analysis of changing social and environmental conditions in local communities. Case studies from around the world provide examples from post-conflict societies that are experiencing rapid social change. Issues include sustainable development, patterns of land use and conflicts over natural resources, experiences of social dislocation, environmental degradation and the resulting pressures on family, community life and culture. The unit provides students with the opportunity to critically analyse the practices and operations carried out by external agencies working with and for local communities and indigenous societies - including non-government organisations, government agencies and companies.
Prescribed Material Mandatory	Text(s): Note: Students are expected to purchase prescribed material On the Edge of Scarcity: Environment, Resources, Population, Sustainability and Conflict ISBN: 9780815629436 Dobkowski, M.N. and Wallimann, I. (eds), Syracuse University Press 2002 Text refers to: Semesters 1 and 2 , Off Campus
Disclaimer	Unit information may be subject to change prior to commencement of the teaching period.

Assessment

Title	Weight	No. Words
Assignment 1	20%	1500
Assessment Notes
Online assessment.

Relates to Learning Outcomes (LO) and Graduate Attributes (GA)
LO: 1-4 GA: 1, 2, 4-6
Assignment 2	45%	2500
Assessment Notes
Online assessment.

Relates to Learning Outcomes (LO) and Graduate Attributes (GA)
LO: 1-4 GA: 1, 2, 4-6
Assignment 3	20%	1500
Assessment Notes
Book Review

Relates to Learning Outcomes (LO) and Graduate Attributes (GA)
LO: 1-4 GA: 1, 2, 4-6
Bulletin Board	15%	1500
Relates to Learning Outcomes (LO) and Graduate Attributes (GA)
LO: 1-4 GA: 1, 2, 4-6

Learning Outcomes (LO)

Upon completion of this unit, students will be able to:

undertake an applied social analysis of a community experiencing rapid change or conflict due to the impacts of development practices and resulting environmental degradation;
be more aware and increase understanding of the scope of social changes experienced by rural and remote communities in relation to their development aspirations and land or natural resource use, in selected nations;
develop an understanding of the process of developing community-based plans and strategies to manage change and conflict within a community in relation to the natural environment and development practices;
implement best professional practice in working with communities to manage change and minimise conflict.

Graduate Attributes (GA)

	Attribute	Taught	Assessed	Practised
1	Knowledge of a Discipline Students will deepen their knowledge of the peace studies discipline, specific to this unit, is taught on an external basis by using the online Blackboard facility where essential materials are accessed. The unit is assessed through two written assignments and online participation.
2	Communication Skills Students will be taught communication skills through written and oral feedback on the assignments and participation component of the unit. Students will be assessed on the style of writing, clarity of writing, expression and development of ideas, and referencing. Students will practice their communication skills through completing the assessment tasks (written through essays) and online discussion participation.
3	Global Perspectives Students will learn about changing social and environmental conditions in local communities and around the world by using case studies and what impact this has on Australia.
4	Information Literacy Students will be taught, and directed, to relevant literature and how to assess its validity. Students will be assessed (through the essays) on their ability to identify relevant literature, and on their ability to critically analyse the literature.
5	Life-Long Learning Through completing the assessments, students will be provided with the necessary lifelong skills to be able to research, write and discuss social issues. These skills can be transferred to any discipline, and will be useful in any research positions. These attributes will be assessed in all of the assessments (written skills; analytical skills). In addition, students who participate in the online discussions will be provided with the skills to debate contentious topics and develop their understanding of a topic through group activities.
6	Problem Solving Students will be assessed on their ability to conceptualise problems and formulate a range of solutions to both research and presentation. Collect, collate and analyse relevant information to assist problem solving (practice).
7	Social Responsibility Students will be taught about their professional responsibilities as a researcher to provide balanced and accurate research. In addition, students will be taught that they have a social responsibility to question and challenge some 'facts'. This will be assessed and taught through their responses to the essay, exam questions and discussions in tutorials or online postings.
8	Team Work Students will practice working collaboratively and network effectively to solve problems on the discussion board (Blackboard) taking initiative and leading others in this environment. They will also negotiate and assert their own values and respect the values and contributions of others on the discussion board and in their own essays.

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Course and Unit Catalogue 2010

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PEAC504 Environmental Security

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