Availabilities:

Location Domestic International
Lismore Session 1 Session 1
Online Session 1 N/A

Unit Summary

Unit type

UG Coursework Unit

Credit points

12

AQF level

7

Level of learning

Intermediate

Former School/College

Former School of Environment, Science and Engineering

Pre-requisites

192 credit points in any SCU units

Unit aim

The aim of this unit is to help students to develop an understanding of the need for environmental and natural resource policy, the process by which such policy is developed, and the constraints facing policy makers. In such a sort unit, it is only possible to investigate a selection of natural resource policies, full coverage of all policies will not be possible in the time allowed. In particular, this unit will assist students to develop the following skills and values: - conceptual understanding of the importance of environmental policy - using language appropriate to the profession - written communication - sustainability - reasoned debate, exchange of views and presentational skills.

Unit content

  • Policy foundations – environmental and natural resource policy
  • How is policy developed? Policy at different scales – key attributes and challenges
  • Forest policy in Australia and internationally
  • Land use policy
  • Policy to support biodiversity
  • Marine policy and the oceans
  • Energy policy
  • Property rights
  • Global climate policy: why is it needed?
  • Policy integration and wrap up

Learning outcomes

Unit Learning Outcomes express learning achievement in terms of what a student should know, understand and be able to do on completion of a unit. These outcomes are aligned with the graduate attributes. The unit learning outcomes and graduate attributes are also the basis of evaluating prior learning.

GA1: , GA2: , GA3: , GA4: , GA5: , GA6: , GA7:
On completion of this unit, students should be able to: GA1 GA2 GA3 GA4 GA5 GA6 GA7
1 understand the objectives of environmental and natural resource policy in the context of ecological, economic and socially sustainable development
2 appreciate the differences between policies at different spatial scales (local, state, federal, and global)
3 develop an overview of current environmental and natural resource policies in Australia
4 critically evaluate current policies in a variety of natural resource sectors
5 understand the role of Australia in international environmental policies.

On completion of this unit, students should be able to:

  1. understand the objectives of environmental and natural resource policy in the context of ecological, economic and socially sustainable development
    • GA1:
    • GA2:
    • GA3:
    • GA4:
    • GA5:
    • GA6:
    • GA7:
  2. appreciate the differences between policies at different spatial scales (local, state, federal, and global)
    • GA1:
    • GA2:
    • GA3:
    • GA4:
    • GA6:
    • GA7:
  3. develop an overview of current environmental and natural resource policies in Australia
    • GA1:
    • GA2:
    • GA3:
    • GA4:
    • GA6:
    • GA7:
  4. critically evaluate current policies in a variety of natural resource sectors
    • GA1:
    • GA2:
    • GA3:
    • GA4:
    • GA6:
    • GA7:
  5. understand the role of Australia in international environmental policies.
    • GA1:
    • GA2:
    • GA3:
    • GA4:
    • GA6:
    • GA7:

Prescribed texts

  • No prescribed texts.
Prescribed texts may change in future teaching periods.