• Offered by Fenner School of Environment and Society
  • ANU College ANU Joint Colleges of Science
  • Classification Advanced
  • Course subject Environmental Science
  • Areas of interest Resource Management and Environmental Science
  • Academic career PGRD
  • Course convener
    • Dr James Pittock
  • Mode of delivery In Person
  • Offered in Winter Session 2014
    See Future Offerings

This course is scheduled to be held 8-19 September 2014

This course examines the climate change problem in terms of vulnerability and adaptation from scientific, societal and policy perspectives. There is now a certain amount of unavoidable climate change, and therefore there a need to adapt to these changing climatic conditions and their consequences. The need to adapt and the kinds of adaptation responses necessary will depend on how the climate changes at a specific location over time, whether the direct or indirect impacts are positive or negative, and  the capacity of people and systems to respond. In considering climate change vulnerability and adaptation as a field of study we focus on key theories (conceptual frameworks), methods and sources of information. Key concepts include the IPCC assessment framework, risk, ‘co-benefit’ and ‘no-regret’ policy responses, and adaptation evaluation criteria. Analytical methods covered in the course include climate change scenario analysis and conceptual modelling. Learning approaches include lectures, online modules, workshop discussions and group work, and practical data analysis exercises.  These are assessed in written assignments, including a major report analysing the climate change adaptation policy of a nation. Most course material is available online to enrolled students but practical exercises require attendance in person.

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:

On satisfying the requirements of this course, students will have developed the skills and knowledge to:

  1. Describe the kinds of climate change adaptation responses that may be necessary and the risks, costs and benefits that these may entail
  2. Understand key theories, analytical methods and sources of information for climate change adaptation.
  3. Critically consider the elements of effective climate change adaptation policies at national and sub-national scales.

Indicative Assessment

  • Two short wirtten assignments and a presentation (45% of total mark) (LO1, LO2);
  • A critique of a climate change adaptation policy of a nation (2,000 words plus references, 55% of total mark) (LO3).

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.

Preliminary Reading

IPCC, 2007: Summary for Policymakers, in "Climate Change 2007: Impacts, Adaptation and Vulnerability. Contribution of Working Group II to the Fourth Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change" available at: http://www.ipcc.ch/publications_and_data/ar4/wg2/en/contents.html.

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. Students continuing in their current program of study will have their tuition fees indexed annually from the year in which you commenced your program. Further information for domestic and international students about tuition and other fees can be found at Fees.

Student Contribution Band:
2
Unit value:
6 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
Domestic fee paying students
Year Fee Description
1994-2003 $1650
2014 $2946
2013 $2946
2012 $2946
2011 $2946
2010 $2916
2009 $2916
2008 $2916
2007 $2520
2006 $2520
2005 $2520
2004 $2160
International fee paying students
Year Fee
1994-2003 $3606
2014 $3762
2013 $3756
2012 $3756
2011 $3756
2010 $3750
2009 $3618
2008 $3618
2007 $3618
2006 $3618
2005 $3618
2004 $3618
Note: Please note that fee information is for current year only.

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.

The list of offerings for future years is indicative only.
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
5413 08 Sep 2014 09 Sep 2014 12 Sep 2014 19 Sep 2014 In Person N/A

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