This class offers hands-on experience in designing and executing a research project. Over one semester, students will learn how to identify a research problem, conduct ethnographic and archival research, and present their findings. In the process, the students will learn to take their theoretical and methodological learning and apply it to questions that interest them. Students are strongly encouraged to focus on a locally-based project and to reach out to local institutions. The first part of the semester focuses on crafting the research question, and it also introduces students to strategies for writing and using audio-visual media for research. In the second part, students will dive into data collection and into working with a medium of their choice, including text. In the last part of the class, students will work on the analysis and on communicating their research findings interestingly and effectively. This class not only unpacks the complexity that underlies contemporary problems but also takes that complexity as a source for creative and critical engagement.

Learning Outcomes

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

1. apply anthropological thinking to an existing problem and evaluate research design as an extension of anthropology;
2. gather data through field and archival research methods;
3. use media-based research techniques, and develop skills to use audio-visual media to express research findings; and
4. extend critical understandings of practicing anthropology beyond the academy.

Research-Led Teaching

This course transforms students into practicing researchers by centering their own environmental investigations. Through close examination of ethnographic texts, students unpack the methodological choices anthropologists make—learning research design through reverse-engineering published scholarship.

Each week connects theory to practice: students immediately test analytical frameworks on their developing projects, from formulating research questions to contextualizing findings historically. In the process, the weekly workshop functions as a collaborative space where we analyse scholarly work to understand methods and apply them-- turning student projects into the primary learning site.

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.

Class Schedule

Week/Session	Summary of Activities	Assessment
1	Introduction
2	The Climate Crisis	Participation
3	Empire and Ecology	Assessment 1 (ongoing)
4	Following and Tracking
5	What Are Facts?	Assessment 2
6	Contestations
7	Environmental Media
8	Workshop	Assessment 3
9	Workshop
10	Workshop
11	Workshop
12	Final Presentations	Assessment 4: Research ProjectAssessment 5: Project Presentation

Tutorial Registration

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.

Assessment Summary

Assessment task	Value	Due Date	Learning Outcomes
ASSESSMENT 1: Leading Discussion	20 %	*	<ol><li>4</li></ol>
ASSESSMENT 2: Project Diary 1 – NotebookLM & Sources	10 %	16/03/2026	1, 2
ASSESSMENT 3: Project Diary 2 – Reflective Essay & Prompt Log	10 %	27/04/2026	2
ASSESSMENT 4: Research Project	40 %	29/05/2026	2, 3, 4, 5
ASSESSMENT 5: Project Presentation	10 %	29/05/2026	4, 5

* 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
• Extenuating Circumstances Application
• 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 ‘Canvas’ 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

Participation is evaluated based on engagement with weekly mini exercises conducted during workshops. These hands-on activities help you apply methodological concepts to your own research development.

Assessment Task 1

ASSESSMENT 1: Leading Discussion

Weight: 20%

In pairs, you will lead class discussion on assigned weekly readings for one 3-hour workshop. Your discussion should:

• Address both the content of the readings (what arguments do the authors make?)
• Address the methodology (how did the scholars construct their research projects?)
• Engage with the week's big methodological question
• Prepare 3-5 discussion questions that connect the readings to students' developing projects
• Facilitate engagement from classmates

You will be evaluated on your preparation, depth of engagement with the texts, ability to facilitate discussion, and connection to the week's methodological themes.

Assessment Task 2

ASSESSMENT 2: Project Diary 1 – NotebookLM & Sources

Due: Week 5

Weight: 10%

Pass/Fail

By Week 4, you will have identified a climate/environmental phenomenon to study based on class discussions and exercises. For this assessment:

• Create a NotebookLM notebook for your research project
• Identify and upload 10 sources related to your research topic

   - At least 7 must be peer-reviewed articles from relevant journals (anthropology, geography, environmental studies, STS, etc.)

   - Remaining 3 can be reports, news articles, policy documents, or other relevant materials

• Submit the citations (in a standard format) and a short justification (200 words total) explaining how these sources relate to your emerging research question

This is a pass/fail assessment.

Assessment Task 3

ASSESSMENT 3: Project Diary 2 – Reflective Essay & Prompt Log

Due: Week 8

Weight: 10%

Word count: 400 words (excluding prompt log and bibliography)

Write a reflective essay that:

• Critically analyzes your research project development thus far
• Connects your project to one mini exercise and one class discussion (specify which week)
• Reflects on how your thinking has evolved through these activities
• Includes a brief note on your use of NotebookLM and/or AI tools

Separate documents to submit (not subject to word limit):

• Prompt log documenting your AI interactions
• Bibliography of sources in your NotebookLM

Assessment Task 4

ASSESSMENT 4: Research Project

Due: Week 12

Weight: 40%

Word count: 2000-2500 words (excluding bibliography)

Develop a research proposal that demonstrates your ability to design anthropological research on an environmental/climate issue. Your proposal should include:

• Research question that is specific, focused, and anthropologically informed
• Literature review situating your project within relevant scholarly debates
• Methodological approach that draws on methods discussed in class (e.g., following, multi-sited ethnography, historical contextualization)
• Discussion of different actors/stakeholders and whose perspectives/knowledge are centered
• Engagement with power, politics, and justice in your chosen issue

Bibliography with at least 10 peer-reviewed sources (separate, not subject to word limit)

NOTE: Students must participate in a minimum of 5 workshops as a hurdle requirement for submitting this assessment.

Assessment Task 5

ASSESSMENT 5: Project Presentation

Due: Week 13

Weight: 10%

Time: 10 minutes

Present your research project to the class. Your presentation should:

• Clearly articulate your research question and why it matters
• Explain your methodological approach
• Highlight key insights from your research development
• Identify what you learned through the research design process

This is an opportunity to share your work and receive feedback from peers.

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

Individual assessment tasks may or may not allow for late submission. Policy regarding late submission is detailed below:

• Late submission not permitted. If submission of assessment tasks without an extension after the due date is not permitted, a mark of 0 will be awarded.
• 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. Any use of artificial intelligence must be properly referenced. Failure to properly cite use of Generative AI will be considered a breach of academic integrity.

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.

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 Accessibility 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 supports you make your own decisions about how you learn and manage your workload.
• ANU Counselling promotes, supports and enhances mental health and wellbeing within the University student community.
• ANUSA supports and represents all ANU students