GEOG 2143 - Introduction to Environmental Impact Assessment
North Terrace Campus - Semester 2 - 2014
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General Course Information
Course Details
Course Code GEOG 2143 Course Introduction to Environmental Impact Assessment Coordinating Unit Geography, Environment and Population Term Semester 2 Level Undergraduate Location/s North Terrace Campus Units 3 Contact Up to 3 hours per week Prerequisites At least 12 units of undergraduate study Incompatible GEST 2043, GEST 2009 or GEST 3009 Assessment Seminar attendance/participation (10%), seminar assessment/activities (30%), essay (30%), take home exam (30%) Course Staff
Course Coordinator: Professor Melissa Nursey-Bray
Course Timetable
The full timetable of all activities for this course can be accessed from Course Planner.
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Learning Outcomes
Course Learning Outcomes
1 Explain the major principles of environmental impact assessment in Australia. 2 Understand the different steps within environmental impact assessment. 3 Discuss the implications of current jurisdictional and institutional arrangements in
relation to environmental impact assessment.4 Communicate both orally and in written form the key aspects of environmental impact
assessment.5 Understand how to liaise with and the importance of stakeholders in the EIA process. 6 Be able to access different case studies/examples of EIA in practice. University Graduate Attributes
This course will provide students with an opportunity to develop the Graduate Attribute(s) specified below:
University Graduate Attribute Course Learning Outcome(s) Knowledge and understanding of the content and techniques of a chosen discipline at advanced levels that are internationally recognised. 1, 2 The ability to locate, analyse, evaluate and synthesise information from a wide variety of sources in a planned and timely manner. 2, 6 An ability to apply effective, creative and innovative solutions, both independently and cooperatively, to current and future problems. 2, 5 Skills of a high order in interpersonal understanding, teamwork and communication. 4 A commitment to the highest standards of professional endeavour and the ability to take a leadership role in the community. 1, 2, 3 An awareness of ethical, social and cultural issues within a global context and their importance in the exercise of professional skills and responsibilities. 3, 5 -
Learning & Teaching Activities
Learning & Teaching Modes
Lectures supported by problem-solving tutorials developing material covered in lectures. This course may contain problem-based learning, blended models and fully online methods of learning and
teaching.Workload
The information below is provided as a guide to assist students in engaging appropriately with the course requirements.
The expected commitment for this course is 2 hours of lectures and 1 hour of tutorials weekly. In addition, 3–4 hours of study per week is required.
Learning Activities Summary
Schedule Week 1 Introduction to course, definitions and history Week 2 EIA process - generic Week 3 EIA process – Australia Week 4 EIA process - states and territories Week 5 EIA techniques Week 6 Involving stakeholders Week 7 Evaluating EIA Week 8 Other types of assessment and SEA Week 9 Case studies in practice Week 10 Case studies in practice Week 11 Exam revision Week 12 Take home exam -
Assessment
The University's policy on Assessment for Coursework Programs is based on the following four principles:
- Assessment must encourage and reinforce learning.
- Assessment must enable robust and fair judgements about student performance.
- Assessment practices must be fair and equitable to students and give them the opportunity to demonstrate what they have learned.
- Assessment must maintain academic standards.
Assessment Summary
ASSESSMENT TASK TYPE WEIGHTING COURSE LEARNING OUTCOME Attendance and participation Formative and summative 10% 2, 5, 6 Essay Formative and summative 30% 1, 3, 4, 6 Seminar report Formative and summative 30% 1, 3, 4, 6 Take home exam Formative and summative 30% 1, 3, 5
Assessment Related Requirements
Attendance at lectures and tutorials is compulsory.Assessment Detail
Attendance and participation: attendance at lectures and seminars.
Essay: students are required to write an essay on the EIA process. Students choose two
case studies – one national/state based (Australian) and one international. In the essay, students are required to:
1. Describe each case study and discuss the key issues that are raised;
2. Describe/evaluate the extent to which the case studies apply generic EIA principles in practice;
3. Compare the similarities and differences between the two case studies;
4. Discuss whether or not they think the EIA was successful in each case and why.
Seminar report: students will be required to write a report which will be based on exercises given in seminars and lectures throughout the semester. Students may ask the convenor to look over work done during semester to get formative feedback prior to submitting a final draft of all completed exercises. Exercises will include case studies, article reviews and quizzes and are designed to support exam preparation.
Take home exam: based on lecture materials and seminar activities, students will be asked to complete a take home exam. Students will be given the exam in a lecture period and expected to return a final copy two weeks later.Submission
Students may submit their work in hard copy to the coordinator via the Social Sciences School Office. Students may email their assignment as well but a hard copy needs to be submitted first. Students
who do not request an extension will forfeit assessment marks at 10% for every three days it is late.Course Grading
Grades for your performance in this course will be awarded in accordance with the following scheme:
M10 (Coursework Mark Scheme) Grade Mark Description FNS Fail No Submission F 1-49 Fail P 50-64 Pass C 65-74 Credit D 75-84 Distinction HD 85-100 High Distinction CN Continuing NFE No Formal Examination RP Result Pending Further details of the grades/results can be obtained from Examinations.
Grade Descriptors are available which provide a general guide to the standard of work that is expected at each grade level. More information at Assessment for Coursework Programs.
Final results for this course will be made available through Access Adelaide.
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Student Feedback
The University places a high priority on approaches to learning and teaching that enhance the student experience. Feedback is sought from students in a variety of ways including on-going engagement with staff, the use of online discussion boards and the use of Student Experience of Learning and Teaching (SELT) surveys as well as GOS surveys and Program reviews.
SELTs are an important source of information to inform individual teaching practice, decisions about teaching duties, and course and program curriculum design. They enable the University to assess how effectively its learning environments and teaching practices facilitate student engagement and learning outcomes. Under the current SELT Policy (http://www.adelaide.edu.au/policies/101/) course SELTs are mandated and must be conducted at the conclusion of each term/semester/trimester for every course offering. Feedback on issues raised through course SELT surveys is made available to enrolled students through various resources (e.g. MyUni). In addition aggregated course SELT data is available.
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Student Support
- Academic Integrity for Students
- Academic Support with Maths
- Academic Support with writing and study skills
- Careers Services
- International Student Support
- Library Services for Students
- LinkedIn Learning
- Student Life Counselling Support - Personal counselling for issues affecting study
- Students with a Disability - Alternative academic arrangements
- YouX Student Care - Advocacy, confidential counselling, welfare support and advice
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Policies & Guidelines
This section contains links to relevant assessment-related policies and guidelines - all university policies.
- Academic Credit Arrangements Policy
- Academic Integrity Policy
- Academic Progress by Coursework Students Policy
- Assessment for Coursework Programs Policy
- Copyright Compliance Policy
- Coursework Academic Programs Policy
- Elder Conservatorium of Music Noise Management Plan
- Intellectual Property Policy
- IT Acceptable Use and Security Policy
- Modified Arrangements for Coursework Assessment Policy
- Reasonable Adjustments to Learning, Teaching & Assessment for Students with a Disability Policy
- Student Experience of Learning and Teaching Policy
- Student Grievance Resolution Process
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Fraud Awareness
Students are reminded that in order to maintain the academic integrity of all programs and courses, the university has a zero-tolerance approach to students offering money or significant value goods or services to any staff member who is involved in their teaching or assessment. Students offering lecturers or tutors or professional staff anything more than a small token of appreciation is totally unacceptable, in any circumstances. Staff members are obliged to report all such incidents to their supervisor/manager, who will refer them for action under the university's student’s disciplinary procedures.
The University of Adelaide is committed to regular reviews of the courses and programs it offers to students. The University of Adelaide therefore reserves the right to discontinue or vary programs and courses without notice. Please read the important information contained in the disclaimer.
