This is a shell course that allows the delivery of developing environment, society and sustainability curriculum content to groups of students over intensive or semester long formats. An academic lead of each developing curriculum content (topic) develops teaching content, assessment and management. Each topic varies, reflecting the interests, authority and expertise of those teaching the course. The mode of delivery and location of this courses varies. Some topics are taught intensively, others are taught seminar-long. The content will provide students with study opportunities not covered in other courses taught in the Fenner School of Environment & Society or elsewhere in the University. Depending on the topic, students may be required to take part in lectures, workshops, tutorials, seminars, discussion groups, field trips and other activities. Assessment and work integrated learning opportunities will differ between each offering.

Learning Outcomes

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

1. Pursue a sustained guided investigation of a topic relevant to the environment, society and/or sustainability.
2. Systematically identify relevant theory and concepts, relate these to appropriate methodology and/or evidence, analyse data using appropriate methods and tools, and draw appropriate evidence-based conclusions.
3. Critically evaluate their own work and results as well as published research.
4. Communicate research concepts and results effectively in appropriate formats.

Research-Led Teaching

The course is informed by a rich body of research in the natural and social sciences on Australian forests and forestry issues, presented as background resources and in the class content. These are complemented by contributions from researchers whose work informs governance and management of Australia's forests

Field Trips

Required 5-day field class in Northern Tasmania, conducted in the Semester 1 teaching break.

Additional Course Costs

Students are responsible for the costs of travel to and within Tasmania for the field class. Indicative costs are $1,000 + airfares.

Examination Material or equipment

Not applicable

Required Resources

There are no required resources for the classroom component of the course.

Recommended Resources

An extensive body of resources will be available on the course Wattle site.

Staff Feedback

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

• written comments
• verbal comments

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

Enrolment:

• Enrolment to this course is at the discretion of the Associate Director (Education), Fenner School, subject to the availability of a suitable supervisor. Students should click here to submit an application to apply to add the course. This form should be completed in consultation with the proposed supervisor.

Assessment:

• The assessment start and end dates used in the Assessment Summary refer to the official start and end date of the session of enrolment. Individual start and end dates will be confirmed with each student prior to enrolment. Final dates are to be negotiated with the supervisor and/or course convener within the first 2 weeks of the first enrolment.

Class Schedule

Week/Session	Summary of Activities	Assessment
1	The first session (weeks 1-6) comprises 5 weekly virtual classes addressing the contexts, history, governance and practice of Australian forests and forestry. Core material presented by the Convenor is complemented by contributions for key forest sector actors.	Assessment for this session is integrated with that for session 3.
2	Session 2 comprises a 5-day field class in Northern Tasmania, following a program designed to illustrate and complement issues addressed in Session 1.	Assessment Task 1: Pre-field class precis of 900 words, drawing on background material provided in Session 1.Assessment Task 2: Field class report of 1500 words, comprising a compilation of daily learning journal entries and a concluding overview.
3	Session 3 comprises 2 virtual classroom sessions. addressing learning from the field class and learning from the course overall.	Assessment Task 3: Short individual and team presentations of field class learnings (10 and 15 slides, respectively; 15 minute team presentation).Assessment Task 4: Australian Forestry Contexts and Issues: Overview + Implications Paper of 2000 words, drawing on learnings from each session of the course.

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
Pre-Field Class Precis	20 %	31/03/2025	1,2,3,4
Field Class Report	30 %	22/04/2025	3,4
Presentations of Field Class Learning	15 %	07/05/2025	3,4
Australian Forestry Contexts and Issues: Overview + Implications Paper	35 %	02/06/2025	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
• 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 ‘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

Participation in the field class and in Assessment Task 3 is required.

Examination(s)

There is no formal examination associated with this course.

Assessment Task 1

Pre-Field Class Precis

Your Pre-Field Class Precis (900 words) summarises your prior understanding of the policy and operational contexts of the field class, and identifies specific points of interest and intersection with your own professional work. The Precis should include reference to the key policy and institutional contexts for forestry in Tasmania, and draw any links to your professional knowledge and experience.

Assessment Task 2

Field Class Report

Your Field Class Report (1500 words) should take the form of a daily learning journal (c 250 words for each of days 1-4), and a concluding entry (c 450 words) that covers day 5 and the field class as a whole. Each entry should reflect on your key learnings from the day, and the final entry on the class as a whole, rather than being a recitation of the program.

Your Field Class Report does not need to be referenced, but you may find it useful to list key sources relevant to your learning. You are welcome to include photographs and annex other supporting material to provide a comprehensive record of the field class for your future reference.

Assessment Task 3

Presentations of Field Class Learning

Your Presentation of Field Class Learning requires you to:

• individually prepare a short slide deck (5-10 slides, or equivalent ) drawing from your Field Class Report;
• work with two other members of the class to develop a present a joint presentation (12-15 mins; no more than that number of slides, or equivalent) drawing from the individual presentations, which the team presents to the class. 

Assessment Task 4

Australian Forestry Contexts and Issues: Overview + Implications Paper

This paper (2000 words) summarises your understanding of the key contexts of Australian forestry, the key contemporary issues faced by the Australian forestry sector, and the implications for your professional work. The paper should draw from each of the classroom content, field class, and your professional work; and comprise at least 3 sections – context, issues and implications. The first two sections, at least, should be supported by published sources cited in the normal style of academic writing. 

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. 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.

Returning Assignments

Assignments will be returned via the course Wattle site.

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

In exceptional circumstances the Convenor will allow an assignment to be resubmitted, but this must be negotiated with the Supervisor before being progressed to the Convenor for endorsement.

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