Offered July 2017. Enrolment is limited and merit based so you will need to apply to Dr Ian Fry by 6 March 2017.
Small island states face considerable challenges as they attempt to achieve sustainable development. Particular challenges for these nations were recognised in the Barbados Programme of Action for Small Island Developing States, including a narrow range of resources, which forces undue specialization; excessive dependence on international trade and hence vulnerability to global developments; relatively small watersheds and threatened supplies of fresh water; costly public administration and infrastructure, including transportation and communication; and limited institutional capacities and domestic markets, which are too small to provide significant scale economies. This course gives students first-hand experience of the real-world circumstances that confront an island nation by exploring five important sectoral themes in the context of sustainable development: fisheries, agriculture, energy, tourism and biodiversity. Within each theme students consider factors relevant to island nations, including climate change, natural disasters, water availability, gender, population and race relations, governance and globalization.
In association with localised in-country studies, students will explore sustainable development policies in a broader context including the Barbados Programme of Action for Small Island Developing States, the Mauritius Strategy for Implementation, the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, the Convention on Biological Diversity, and the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development - 2012 (Rio +20).
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:
On completion of the course students will have the knowledge and skills to:
1. Understand the complex social, environmental and cultural challenges that confront an island nation, like Fiji. (LO1)
2. Apply interdisciplinary approaches to resolving sustainable development issues in an island context. (LO2)
3. Effectively present and discuss ideas about island sustainable development, and to listen, assess and respond to ideas of others. (LO3)
4. Design and participate in group learning processes and activities in the context of island sustainable development. (LO4)
Postgraduate Learning Outcomes
On completion of the course students will have the knowledge and skills to:
1. Demonstrate advanced understanding of the complex social, environmental and cultural challenges that confront an island nation, like Fiji. (LO1)
2. Critique and apply interdisciplinary approaches to resolving sustainable development issues in an island context. (LO2)
3. Effectively present and discuss complex ideas about island sustainable development, and to actively listen, critically assess and constructively respond to ideas of others. (LO3)
4. Design, participate in, and lead group learning processes and activities in the context of island sustainable development. (LO4)
5. Explain and critically evaluate the strengths and limitations of sustainable development objectives in an island context. (LO5)
Other Information
Students will need to cover the cost of their own airfares and living expenses while in Fiji.
Indicative Assessment
Students taking the 6 unit version will complete the following assessment:
1. Pre-trip preparatory research paper (500 words) 10% [LO 1,2,4]
2. Group project during Field School (2000 words) 40% [LO 1,2,3,4]
3. Seminar presentation at conclusion of Field School 10% [LO 3,4]
4. Policy paper (2000 words) 40% [LO 1,2,3]
Students taking the 12 unit version will complete the following assessment:
1. Pre-trip preparatory research paper (500 words), and presentation to class in country at start of Field School 10% [LO 1,2,4]
2. Group project during Field School (3000 words) 40% [LO 1,2,3,4]
3. Seminar presentation at conclusion of Field School 10% [LO 3,4]
4. Policy paper (3000 words) and reflective blog (1000 words) 40% [LO 1,2,3]
The ANU uses Turnitin to enhance student citation and referencing techniques, and to assess assignment submissions as a component of the University's approach to managing Academic Integrity. While the use of Turnitin is not mandatory, the ANU highly recommends Turnitin is used by both teaching staff and students. For additional information regarding Turnitin please visit the ANU Online website.
Workload
Students enrolled in the 6 unit course undertake:
• 2 days of seminars and preparatory work on aspects of island sustainable development, at the ANU on a weekend in May 2017
• 10 day Field School in Fiji (3-14 July 2017) (plus travel to and from Fiji)
• A post-field trip Policy Report submitted at the end of the first week of second semester (approximately three weeks after the end of the field trip)
Students enrolled in the 12 unit course undertake:
• 2 days of seminars plus an additional 2-3 days of extended preparatory work including a thematic paper on aspects of island sustainable development, at the ANU
• Presentation on thematic preparatory paper during the first two days of the Field School in Fiji
• 10 days Field School in Fiji (3-14 July 2017) (plus travel to and from Fiji)
• An extended report on the Group Project, including reflection on group processes
• An extended post-field trip Policy Report at the end of the first week of second semester (approximately three weeks after the end of the field trip)
• A reflective post-field trip blog (submitted at the same time as the Policy Report)
Requisite and Incompatibility
Prescribed Texts
Recommended Reading:
Department of Economic and Social Affairs (2010) Trends in Sustainable Development: Small Island Developing States (SIDS), 46 pp. http://www.sidsnet.org/sites/default/files/resources/trends_in_sustainable_development_sids.pdf.
Prasad, BC and Tisdell, CA (2006) Institutions, Economic Performance and Sustainable Development: A Case Study of the Fiji Islands, Nova Science Pub., 278 pp. (extracts to be provided).
Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat (2012) Fiji Country Report, in: Pacific Regional MDGs Tracking Report, p 49-60, 212. http://www.forumsec.org/resources/uploads/attachments/documents/MDG%20Track%20Rpt%20web%2020122.pdf.
Read, R (2006) Sustainable natural resource use and economic development in small states: the tuna fisheries in Fiji and Samoa, Sustainable Development, 14:2, 93-103.
Veitayaki, J. (2006) Caring for the Environment and the Mitigation of Natural Extreme Events in Gau, Fiji Islands: A Self-help Community Initiative, Island Studies Journal, 1:2, 239-252
Assumed Knowledge
Recommended courses: ENVS1001 Environment and Society: Geography of Sustainability, ENVS1003 Introduction to Environmental and Social Research, ENVS1008 Sustainable Development, ENVS2011 Human Ecology, ENVS2013 Society and Environmental Change, ENVS2014 Qualitative Research Methods for Sustainability, ENVS3021 Human Futures, ENVS3040 Resolving Complex Environmental Problems, PASI3005 Pacific Islands Field School.
Majors
Minors
Fees
Tuition fees are for the academic year indicated at the top of the page.
If you are a domestic graduate coursework or international student you will be required to pay tuition fees. Tuition fees are indexed annually. Further information for domestic and international students about tuition and other fees can be found at Fees.
- Student Contribution Band:
- 2
- Unit value:
- 6 to 12 units
If you are an undergraduate student and have been offered a Commonwealth supported place, your fees are set by the Australian Government for each course. At ANU 1 EFTSL is 48 units (normally 8 x 6-unit courses). You can find your student contribution amount for each course at Fees. Where there is a unit range displayed for this course, not all unit options below may be available.
| Units | EFTSL |
|---|---|
| 6.00 | 0.12500 |
| 7.00 | 0.14583 |
| 8.00 | 0.16667 |
| 9.00 | 0.18750 |
| 10.00 | 0.20833 |
| 11.00 | 0.22917 |
| 12.00 | 0.25000 |
Course fees
- Domestic fee paying students
| Year | Fee |
|---|---|
| 2017 | $574 per unit |
- International fee paying students
| Year | Fee |
|---|---|
| 2017 | $765 per unit |
Offerings, Dates and Class Summary Links
ANU utilises MyTimetable to enable students to view the timetable for their enrolled courses, browse, then self-allocate to small teaching activities / tutorials so they can better plan their time. Find out more on the Timetable webpage.
Class summaries, if available, can be accessed by clicking on the View link for the relevant class number.
Winter Session
| Class number | Class start date | Last day to enrol | Census date | Class end date | Mode Of Delivery | Class Summary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6500 | 03 Jul 2017 | 13 Jun 2017 | 28 Jul 2017 | 27 Oct 2017 | In Person | N/A |
| 6633 | 03 Jul 2017 | 13 Jun 2017 | 28 Jul 2017 | 27 Oct 2017 | In Person | N/A |
