GEOG 2145 - Governance and Sustainable Development

North Terrace Campus - Semester 1 - 2014

This course explores the crucial link between governance and sustainable development. Sustainable development has emerged as the global norm and dominant approach to reconcile the goals of economic development, environmental quality and social equity. Governance can be understood as the rules, mechanisms, processes and institutions through which important decisions are made and implemented. The course discusses the contested nature of both these concepts, and investigates how both are combined in local, national, regional and international policy-making about environment and development challenges such as poverty, global inequalities, loss of biodiversity, deterioration of global eco-systems, and the threat of climate change to human societies. Contemporary ecological problems and crises are predominantly a result of ineffective governance. Thus the main purpose of the course is to examine the ways in which state, private sector and civil society interact on national and international levels to address environment and development issues through better governance models and frameworks of sustainability. Major issues and concepts covered in the course include: policy making and policy analysis; "good governance" and international development; urban governance and sustainability; reflexive governance and learning; gender and governance; governance of ecological conflicts and disasters; e-governance and sustainability; and global ecological governance in particular in regard to climate change. These issues are explored through case studies from Australia and various other regions of the world.

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Course Details

Course Code	GEOG 2145
Course	Governance and Sustainable Development
Coordinating Unit	Geography, Environment and Population
Term	Semester 1
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 2045
Assessment	2000 word research essay or report (30%), tutorial learning journal (30%), MyUni portfolio (40%)

Course Staff

Course Coordinator: Dr Thomas Wanner

Course Timetable

The full timetable of all activities for this course can be accessed from Course Planner.

Course Learning Outcomes

Students successfully completing the course should be able to:

Identify the complexity and operations of governance systems and processes on international, national and local levels.
Explain differences between government and governance, and the various ideas and meanings attached to the goal of sustainable development.
Analyse policy-making processes in regard to sustainability issues.
Apply high-quality written and verbal communication skills.
Work effectively in a team and in tutorial situations.
Apply analytical and problem-solving skills to specific sustainable development problems.
Employ effectively online technologies (MyUni) for communication and exchange of own ideas and knowledge.

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, 3
The ability to locate, analyse, evaluate and synthesise information from a wide variety of sources in a planned and timely manner.	4, 7
An ability to apply effective, creative and innovative solutions, both independently and cooperatively, to current and future problems.	6
Skills of a high order in interpersonal understanding, teamwork and communication.	5, 7
A proficiency in the appropriate use of contemporary technologies.	7
A commitment to continuous learning and the capacity to maintain intellectual curiosity throughout life.	6
A commitment to the highest standards of professional endeavour and the ability to take a leadership role in the community.	4, 5
An awareness of ethical, social and cultural issues within a global context and their importance in the exercise of professional skills and responsibilities.	1, 2, 3

Learning Resources

Required Resources

There is no required textbook for this course.

Recommended Resources

All required readings (plus additional readings) are provided on MyUni.

Online Learning

All other required material (eg assessment information, weblinks, lectures) are also provided on MyUni.

Learning & Teaching Modes

The teaching in this course is based on student-centred learning principles and strategies. Students are seen as partners in the learning journey. A range of teaching methods are employed to involve and integrate the students in the learning process, and provide them with the necessary skills and knowledge of the topic. There are many opportunities for students to provide their input and feedback into the course. The course provides various assessment methods to accommodate different learning styles. Through case studies and examples the students learn problem-solving skills, and have to work collaboratively in workshop style seminars. The course employs a blended approach to teaching and learning where the traditional face to face lectures and seminars are supplemented by effective use of information and communication technologies (ICTs) and the online teaching and learning environment of MyUni. The interactive and collaborative teaching and learning thus takes place inside and outside the classroom and in synchronous and asynchronous ways.

Workload

The information below is provided as a guide to assist students in engaging appropriately with the course requirements.

The times suggested here are guidelines for students to achieve the course requirements and to successfully complete the course. You will need to allocate appropriate time for your study (contact and non-contact time):
 - Structured learning (lectures and tutorials): 3 hours per week
 - Reading: 3 hours per week
 - Preparation for assignments: 3 hours per week
 - MyUni: 3 hours per week

Learning Activities Summary

**Lecture Schedule**
Week 1 Introduction: Housekeeping, Assignments, MyUni Governance and SD: a short history of contested concepts
Week 2 Governance: scales, processes & actors Sustainable Development Governance: the politics of sustainability
Week 3 Public Holiday – Adelaide Cup Governance: Politics, Power, Policy
Week 4 Global Governance: Globalisation, Poverty and Global Inequalities Global/National Environmental Governance
Week 5 Governing a Green Economy Corporate Governance and Sustainability
Week 6 Governing the Global Commons Governing Climate Change
Week 7 Urban Governance and Sustainability Public Holiday – ANZAC Day
Week 8 Governing Forests Local governance: community-based sustainable development
Week 9 Culture, Gender, and Sustainability Knowledge & Education for SD
Week 10 Governance of Risk & Sustainability Science Green citizenship and Green Democracy
Week 11 E-Governance and E-Environment Reforming Global (Environmental) Governance
Week 12 Global Ethics & Justice Course Review: Governance and SD: shaping new futures?

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	Task Type	Due Date	Weighting	Learning Outcomes
Research essay OR research report (2,000 words)	Formative	Week 7	30%	1, 3, 4, 6
Tutorial Learning Journal (online, MyUni) (1,500 words in total). - Tutorial Preparation (10%) - Tutorial Participation (10%) - Tutorial Summary and Learning Reflections (10%)	Formative; Summative	Week 13	30%	2, 5, 7
MyUni Portfolio (1,500 words)	Formative, Summative	Week 14	40%	1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 7

Assessment Detail

Research Essay OR Research Report

This assignment gives you the choice to do either a research essay OR a research report.

A report is different to an essay. An academic essay provides a clear and well-structured argument about a specific issue. The degree of success of an essay is related to how well the argument is made (including counter-arguments), and how well it is structured and the diverse range of references is integrated into the argument. An essay is thus subjective as it provides the author‟s view on the issue under investigation. In an essay, I want to know what your view of the subject matter is. (NOTE: It is okay to use phrases, such as “I argue…”, “in my view…”).

In contrast, a research report provides information about a specific problem (in form of graphs, tables and illustrations), then discusses the relevant issues and provides some solutions in form of recommendations. The success of a research report depends on whether relevant and viable data has been collected, and how well the collected data has been analysed and discussed and then integrated into a well-presented report which has clear recommendations for policy or other actions. In short, excellent essays and reports both demonstrate excellent research, analytical and communication skills.

You need to show in both assessments your own critical thinking about the topic. The overall difference between these two assessment tasks is that in the essay you need to provide your argument (your point of view on the issue by engaging critically with the argument of others), whereas in the report you need to engage critically with the relevant available information and then provide some recommendations to solve the problematic issues.

Tutorial Learning Journal

Tutorial attendance is compulsory and will be monitored.

The tutorial learning journal includes:
- A short critical review of the required reading of the week
- A brief summary of the tutorial and what you have learned in the tutorial
- Self-assessment of your participation in the tutorials

The entries in the tutorial learning journal need be timely and relevant to the specific week. Late entries do not count.

MyUni Portfolio
There is no exam in this course. The MyUni Portfolio is a collection of different pieces of work throughout the semester. The MyUni Portfolio is interactive and about regular work and contributions to the course by the students.

Submission

All assignments are submitted electronically on MyUni and on Turnitin.

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.

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.
Student Support
Policies & Guidelines
This section contains links to relevant assessment-related policies and guidelines - all university policies.
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.

Authorised by:	Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Vice-President (Academic)
Maintained by:	Course Outlines Administrator