The 2025 Pre Sessional Program commencement dates: Summer session - 14 January; Winter session - 16 June
This course provides a series of introductory lectures on contemporary environmental and resource-related challenges that affect human societies in the Asia-Pacific region.
Students arrive into Crawford programs with many different backgrounds and levels of exposure to environment-related research, either in Australia or from overseas. The course aims to introduce environment, development and climate change postgraduate students to the big ideas in environmental science that underpin our understanding of the state and trends of the planet’s environment. It explores the history of sustainability and how communities and governments have responded to growing concerns about environmental degradation, resource depletion and climate change (and the role science has played in this response). Students are exposed to approaches to environmental and development policy that are seeking to respond to these challenges.
The course consists of a series of core environmental lectures, with extensive opportunities for student engagement. Guest sessions led by the program convenors provide students with insights into how their learning program could be structured. The capstone of the course is the preparation and presentation of a "Plan of Study", in sessions led by the Head of Department. Through this course, students are supported in devising a tailored set of degree program learning goals, objectives, strategies and facilitating resources. A strong student cohort experience is facilitated during the crucial first weeks of starting a new degree program.
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:
- Describe the major environmental challenges and state of knowledge around planetary ecological challenges.
- Engage in contemporary public policy debates concerning nature, environment, climate and development.
- Critically read, reflect and analyse scholarly outputs on environmental challenges.
- Independently form, articulate and communicate their own ideas and concepts about the environment, climate and development challenges.
- Devise and communicate a personalised post-graduate program of learning.
Indicative Assessment
- Regular class participation, engagement and active involvement in class discussions (10) [LO 1,2,3,4,5]
- Class Presentations on an Environmental Challenge (15-20 mins total) (30) [LO 1,2,3,4]
- Presentation on a "Plan of Study" (20) [LO 3,4,5]
- Written "Plan of Study" (500-750 words) (40) [LO 3,4,5]
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
This course proceeds over the pre-sessional program period prior to semester 1 and semester 2. Estimated workload is 30 hours including lecture sessions and assignment preparation time.
Inherent Requirements
Not applicable
Requisite and Incompatibility
You will need to contact the Crawford School of Public Policy to request a permission code to enrol in this course.
Prescribed Texts
None.
Fees
Tuition fees are for the academic year indicated at the top of the page.
Commonwealth Support (CSP) Students
If you 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). More information about your student contribution amount for each course at Fees.
- Student Contribution Band:
- 2
- Unit value:
- 0 units
If you are a domestic graduate coursework student with a Domestic Tuition Fee (DTF) place or international student you will be required to pay course tuition fees (see below). Course tuition fees are indexed annually. Further information for domestic and international students about tuition and other fees can be found at Fees.
Where there is a unit range displayed for this course, not all unit options below may be available.
| Units | EFTSL |
|---|---|
| 0.00 | 0.00000 |
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.
Summer Session
| Class number | Class start date | Last day to enrol | Census date | Class end date | Mode Of Delivery | Class Summary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1110 | 14 Jan 2025 | 24 Jan 2025 | 24 Jan 2025 | 07 Mar 2025 | In Person | View |
| 1456 | 14 Jan 2025 | 24 Jan 2025 | 24 Jan 2025 | 07 Mar 2025 | Online | View |
Winter Session
| Class number | Class start date | Last day to enrol | Census date | Class end date | Mode Of Delivery | Class Summary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6148 | 16 Jun 2025 | 18 Jul 2025 | 18 Jul 2025 | 08 Aug 2025 | In Person | N/A |
| 6495 | 16 Jun 2025 | 18 Jul 2025 | 18 Jul 2025 | 08 Aug 2025 | Online | N/A |