The course is designed to engage students in the practice of collaborative, integrative multidisciplinary research needed for tackling complex multi-scale issues involved in creating sustainable futures. Topics will include the ‘science wars' and knowledge systems, justice and fairness dimensions of interventions for sustainability, the role of institutions and civil society in regulating human behaviour, and patterns of consumption, resource use versus conservation, living with risk and uncertainty, balancing individual wants and social needs, global equality of access and opportunity.

The course involves student projects that investigate a future issue in a collaborative partnership with an external agency, institution, company or enterprise. Seminars will concentrate on the practice and application of research methodologies, methods and tools for doing and integrating research across many discipline areas.

Learning Outcomes

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

1. Understand key current environmental issues and their implications across Australia and globally.
2. Source reliable contemporary scientific research findings across the sustainability sector.
3. Explain and apply contemporary theory and research methods employed in the sustainability sciences.
4. Interpret and communicate research findings and their implications across the sustainability sector for decision-makers.

Field Trips

n/a

Additional Course Costs

There are no additional costs.

Examination Material or equipment

n/a

Required Resources

Pre-readings will be listed in Wattle. Please complete any pre-reading before the relevant lecture. 

Recommended Resources

Whether you are on campus or studying online, there are a variety of online platforms you will use to participate in your study program. These could include videos for lectures and other instruction, two-way video conferencing for interactive learning, email and other messaging tools for communication, interactive web apps for formative and collaborative activities, print and/or photo/scan for handwritten work and drawings, and home-based assessment.

ANU outlines recommended student system requirements to ensure you are able to participate fully in your learning. Other information is also available about the various Learning Platforms you may use.

Staff Feedback

Students will be given feedback in the following forms in this course:

• written comments
• verbal comments
• feedback to whole class, groups, individuals, focus group etc

Student Feedback

ANU is committed to the demonstration of educational excellence and regularly seeks feedback from students. Students are encouraged to offer feedback directly to their Course Convener or through their College and Course representatives (if applicable). Feedback can also be provided to Course Conveners and teachers via the Student Experience of Learning & Teaching (SELT) feedback program. SELT surveys are confidential and also provide the Colleges and ANU Executive with opportunities to recognise excellent teaching, and opportunities for improvement.

Other Information

Delivery/Timetabling advice:

• Before mid-semester break: Two 3-hour sessions per week
• After mid-semester break: One 3-hour session per week 

Each 3 hr block is a mixture of lecture and tutorial. Typically 1 hr lecture and 2 hr tutorial, but may vary by session. 

Contact hours are more intensive in the first half of semester to give you more time to complete the assignment. 

Class Schedule

Week/Session	Summary of Activities	Assessment
1	IntroductionLecturesIntroduction to course and system mapping toolsWorkshop exercise topicsClimate change; Environmental problem of your choice	Workshop report
2	Causality and a critical perspectiveLecturesCausal loop diagrams and critical systems heuristics Workshop exercise topicsWater pollution; Poverty	Workshop report
3	Mental modelsLecturesFuzzy cognitive maps and eliciting mental models Workshop exercise topicFood systems	Workshop report
4	Quantitative modellingLecturesStock and flow models Workshop exercise topicsClimate change	Workshop report
5	Human and natural systemsLecturesModelling human and natural systemsWorkshop exercise topicsFisheries	Workshop report
6	Tipping points and regime shiftsLecturesDynamical systems theory, tipping points, resilienceWorkshop exercise topicsWater pollution	Workshop report, project proposal
7	Professional skillsLectureGuest lectureWorkshop exercise topicClimate role play
8	ResilienceLectureGuest lectureWorkshop exercise topicProgress presentations	Progress presentations
9	Labour Day Holiday
10	Human ecologyLectureGuest lectureWorkshop exercise topicProgress presentations	Progress presentations
11	Catch up weekGuest lecture
12	Course recap	Project report

Tutorial Registration

Separate registration to tutorials is not required.

Assessment Summary

Assessment task	Value	Due Date	Return of assessment	Learning Outcomes
Workshop reports	30 %	01/09/2023	08/09/2023	1,3
Individual Project	70 %	27/10/2023	10/11/2023	1,2,3,4

* If the Due Date and Return of Assessment date are blank, see the Assessment Tab for specific Assessment Task details

Policies

ANU has educational policies, procedures and guidelines , which are designed to ensure that staff and students are aware of the University’s academic standards, and implement them. Students are expected to have read the Academic Integrity Rule before the commencement of their course. Other key policies and guidelines include:

• Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure
• Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure
• Special Assessment Consideration Guideline and General Information 
• Student Surveys and Evaluations
• Deferred Examinations
• Student Complaint Resolution Policy and Procedure
• Code of practice for teaching and learning

Assessment Requirements

The ANU is using 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. For additional information regarding Turnitin please visit the Academic Skills website. In rare cases where online submission using Turnitin software is not technically possible; or where not using Turnitin software has been justified by the Course Convener and approved by the Associate Dean (Education) on the basis of the teaching model being employed; students shall submit assessment online via ‘Wattle’ outside of Turnitin, or failing that in hard copy, or through a combination of submission methods as approved by the Associate Dean (Education). The submission method is detailed below.

Moderation of Assessment

Marks that are allocated during Semester are to be considered provisional until formalised by the College examiners meeting at the end of each Semester. If appropriate, some moderation of marks might be applied prior to final results being released.

Participation

Missing more than two workshop sessions in the semester will require a medical certificate or prior permission from the course convener. 

Examination(s)

N/A

Assessment Task 1

Workshop reports

6 weekly workshop assignment and/or reflection reports.

Exact task depends on the week with instructions released with each workshops.

Due: 5 pm on the Friday of each of Weeks 1-6

Value: 30% (6 x 5%)

Please note: Due date indicated in the table on this summary indicates the date of the last workshop report. Please consult the course Wattle site for full submission date information.

Assessment Task 2

Individual Project

The assessment is broken into three components:

1. Project proposal (10%), due Friday 5 pm in Week 6
2. Project progress report (10%), in-class presentation delivered during Weeks 8 or 10
3. Project report (50%), due Friday 5 pm in Week 12

You will perform a systems analysis on an environmental problem of your choice. 

• The analysis should incorporate both human and biophysical components of the problem. 
• The report should include both understanding the system and identifying possible actions. 
• You may use any method or combination of methods presented during the course. Selection of an appropriate method for the environmental problem and stated objectives will be a key grading criterion. 
• You are encouraged to choose a problem based on your own interests and experience. If you are struggling to identify a suitable case study, please contact convenor for assistance before the end of week 4. 

Examples of projects could include: 

• Interview a stakeholder in an environmental problem, construct a causal loop diagram (CLD) or fuzzy cognitive map (CLD/FCM), and analyse the CLD/FCM for leverage points. Note! Any data collection should exclude sensitive personal information or vulnerable participants e.g. children, Indigenous. 
• Perform literature review on an environmental problem, construct a CLD/FCM, analyse the CLD/FCM for leverage points. 
• Construct a stock-and-flow model of an environmental problem and investigate different policies 
• Find an existing system dynamics model for the environmental problem and analyse it for leverage points across all levels of Meadows’ typology. 

Refer to the course Wattle site for detailed information about each component including the marking rubric.

Please note: Due date indicated in the table on this summary indicates the date of component (3). Please consult the course Wattle site for full submission date information.

Academic Integrity

Academic integrity is a core part of the ANU culture as a community of scholars. The University’s students are an integral part of that community. The academic integrity principle commits all students to engage in academic work in ways that are consistent with, and actively support, academic integrity, and to uphold this commitment by behaving honestly, responsibly and ethically, and with respect and fairness, in scholarly practice.

The University expects all staff and students to be familiar with the academic integrity principle, the Academic Integrity Rule 2021, the Policy: Student Academic Integrity and Procedure: Student Academic Integrity, and to uphold high standards of academic integrity to ensure the quality and value of our qualifications.

The Academic Integrity Rule 2021 is a legal document that the University uses to promote academic integrity, and manage breaches of the academic integrity principle. The Policy and Procedure support the Rule by outlining overarching principles, responsibilities and processes. The Academic Integrity Rule 2021 commences on 1 December 2021 and applies to courses commencing on or after that date, as well as to research conduct occurring on or after that date. Prior to this, the Academic Misconduct Rule 2015 applies.

 

The University commits to assisting all students to understand how to engage in academic work in ways that are consistent with, and actively support academic integrity. All coursework students must complete the online Academic Integrity Module (Epigeum), and Higher Degree Research (HDR) students are required to complete research integrity training. The Academic Integrity website provides information about services available to assist students with their assignments, examinations and other learning activities, as well as understanding and upholding academic integrity.

Online Submission

You will be required to electronically sign a declaration as part of the submission of your assignment. Please keep a copy of the assignment for your records. Unless an exemption has been approved by the Associate Dean (Education) submission must be through Turnitin.

Hardcopy Submission

For some forms of assessment (hand written assignments, art works, laboratory notes, etc.) hard copy submission is appropriate when approved by the Associate Dean (Education). Hard copy submissions must utilise the Assignment Cover Sheet. Please keep a copy of tasks completed for your records.

Late Submission

Late submission permitted. Late submission of assessment tasks without an extension are penalised at the rate of 5% of the possible marks available per working day or part thereof. Late submission of assessment tasks is not accepted after 10 working days after the due date, or on or after the date specified in the course outline for the return of the assessment item. Late submission is not accepted for take-home examinations.

Referencing Requirements

The Academic Skills website has information to assist you with your writing and assessments. The website includes information about Academic Integrity including referencing requirements for different disciplines. There is also information on Plagiarism and different ways to use source material.

Returning Assignments

Assessment returned via Wattle.

Extensions and Penalties

Extensions and late submission of assessment pieces are covered by the Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure. Extensions may be granted for assessment pieces that are not examinations or take-home examinations. If you need an extension, you must request an extension in writing on or before the due date. If you have documented and appropriate medical evidence that demonstrates you were not able to request an extension on or before the due date, you may be able to request it after the due date.

Resubmission of Assignments

Not permitted.

Privacy Notice

The ANU has made a number of third party, online, databases available for students to use. Use of each online database is conditional on student end users first agreeing to the database licensor’s terms of service and/or privacy policy. Students should read these carefully. In some cases student end users will be required to register an account with the database licensor and submit personal information, including their: first name; last name; ANU email address; and other information.
In cases where student end users are asked to submit ‘content’ to a database, such as an assignment or short answers, the database licensor may only use the student’s ‘content’ in accordance with the terms of service – including any (copyright) licence the student grants to the database licensor. Any personal information or content a student submits may be stored by the licensor, potentially offshore, and will be used to process the database service in accordance with the licensors terms of service and/or privacy policy.
If any student chooses not to agree to the database licensor’s terms of service or privacy policy, the student will not be able to access and use the database. In these circumstances students should contact their lecturer to enquire about alternative arrangements that are available.

Distribution of grades policy

Academic Quality Assurance Committee monitors the performance of students, including attrition, further study and employment rates and grade distribution, and College reports on quality assurance processes for assessment activities, including alignment with national and international disciplinary and interdisciplinary standards, as well as qualification type learning outcomes.

Since first semester 1994, ANU uses a grading scale for all courses. This grading scale is used by all academic areas of the University.

Support for students

The University offers students support through several different services. You may contact the services listed below directly or seek advice from your Course Convener, Student Administrators, or your College and Course representatives (if applicable).

• ANU Health, safety & wellbeing for medical services, counselling, mental health and spiritual support
• ANU Access and inclusion for students with a disability or ongoing or chronic illness
• ANU Dean of Students for confidential, impartial advice and help to resolve problems between students and the academic or administrative areas of the University
• ANU Academic Skills and Learning Centre supports you make your own decisions about how you learn and manage your workload.
• ANU Counselling Centre promotes, supports and enhances mental health and wellbeing within the University student community.
• ANUSA supports and represents undergraduate and ANU College students
• PARSA supports and represents postgraduate and research students