GEOG 7002 - Environmental Planning and Governance

North Terrace Campus - Semester 2 - 2019

This course will critically examine approaches to environmental planning and governance in Australia and internationally. The course will introduce students to the rational planning model which has long-dominated planning strategies in Australia. It will then shift focus and explore how sustainable development is influencing planning via theories of ecology, the interrelationship between values and knowledge, a restructured public sphere and the emergence of new actors. Students will be asked to critique relevant recent Australian environmental planning decisions in relation to criteria of sustainable development. The course will move on to critically examine contemporary thinking about environmental governance including state and market-based approaches, decentralised environmental management, the role of NGOs, community based approaches and regional planning. International cases of environmental management which highlight the linkages between national or regional environmental governance structures and natural resource management outcomes will be analysed.

  • General Course Information
    Course Details
    Course Code GEOG 7002
    Course Environmental Planning and Governance
    Coordinating Unit Geography, Environment and Population
    Term Semester 2
    Level Postgraduate Coursework
    Location/s North Terrace Campus
    Units 6
    Contact Up to 3 hours per week
    Available for Study Abroad and Exchange
    Incompatible GEST 5002, GEOG 5002
    Course Description This course will critically examine approaches to environmental planning and governance in Australia and internationally. The course will introduce students to the rational planning model which has long-dominated planning strategies in Australia. It will then shift focus and explore how sustainable development is influencing planning via theories of ecology, the interrelationship between values and knowledge, a restructured public sphere and the emergence of new actors. Students will be asked to critique relevant recent Australian environmental planning decisions in relation to criteria of sustainable development. The course will move on to critically examine contemporary thinking about environmental governance including state and market-based approaches, decentralised environmental management, the role of NGOs, community based approaches and regional planning. International cases of environmental management which highlight the linkages between national or regional environmental governance structures and natural resource management outcomes will be analysed.
    Course Staff

    Course Coordinator: Associate Professor Douglas Bardsley

    On successful completion of this course students will be able to:
    1. Explain the major tenets of environmental planning in South Australia
    2. Understand the roles of the different jurisdictional organisations within environmental governance structures
    3. Critically analyse the environmental planning structure
    4. Explain key aspects of international environmental governance
    5. Discuss the implications of current governance practices in relation to sustainable development goals both in Australia and internationally
    6. Develop comparative analyses using quantitative & qualitative data to critique current governance systems
    7. Communicate in written and oral forms key aspects of environmental planning and governance.
    Course Timetable

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

  • Learning Outcomes
    Course Learning Outcomes
    On successful completion of this course students will be able to:
    1. Explain the major tenets of environmental planning in South Australia
    2. Understand the roles of the different jurisdictional organisations within environmental governance structures
    3. Critically analyse the environmental planning structure
    4. Explain key aspects of international environmental governance
    5. Discuss the implications of current governance practices in relation to sustainable development goals both in Australia and internationally
    6. Develop comparative analyses using quantitative & qualitative data to critique current governance systems
    7. Communicate in written and oral forms key aspects of environmental planning and governance.
    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)
    Deep discipline knowledge
    • informed and infused by cutting edge research, scaffolded throughout their program of studies
    • acquired from personal interaction with research active educators, from year 1
    • accredited or validated against national or international standards (for relevant programs)
    1-5
    Critical thinking and problem solving
    • steeped in research methods and rigor
    • based on empirical evidence and the scientific approach to knowledge development
    • demonstrated through appropriate and relevant assessment
    1-6
    Teamwork and communication skills
    • developed from, with, and via the SGDE
    • honed through assessment and practice throughout the program of studies
    • encouraged and valued in all aspects of learning
    2-7
    Career and leadership readiness
    • technology savvy
    • professional and, where relevant, fully accredited
    • forward thinking and well informed
    • tested and validated by work based experiences
    3-7
    Intercultural and ethical competency
    • adept at operating in other cultures
    • comfortable with different nationalities and social contexts
    • able to determine and contribute to desirable social outcomes
    • demonstrated by study abroad or with an understanding of indigenous knowledges
    2, 4, 6
    Self-awareness and emotional intelligence
    • a capacity for self-reflection and a willingness to engage in self-appraisal
    • open to objective and constructive feedback from supervisors and peers
    • able to negotiate difficult social situations, defuse conflict and engage positively in purposeful debate
    3, 5-7
  • Learning Resources
    Required Resources
    There is no prescribed text for this course, if you do not have any background in Physical Geography or Environmental Science, the following book is highly recommended: Strahler A. (2013) Introducing Physical Geography. 6th Edition. John Wiley and Sons, Chichester UK.

    The lecture slides and recordings will be made available from the undergraduate course, GEOG2139 Environmental Management that is run in Semester 1. They might be particularly useful for those students who don’t have a background in environmental studies or sciences and want to learn more.
    Recommended Resources
    Weekly key articles will be available for reading prior to the workshops each week.

    These articles will be uploaded on MyUni and should be used to prepare for class each week and to guide your learning during the semester.
    Online Learning
    The MyUni Site for the course will provide you with detailed information and feedback during the semester.

    The detailed course guide and additional course-related material will be made available through MyUni.

    Other links and information that you will find include:
    - Links to Reading materials
    - Announcements
    - Powerpoint slides from the workshops. These will be posted just prior to the workshops.
    - The workshops will also be recorded and uploaded afterwards
    - Links for uploading assignments and feedback from your lecturer
  • Learning & Teaching Activities
    Learning & Teaching Modes
    There are a number of teaching and learning modes in this course.

    The workshops are compulsory and provide a forum in which students learn about important elements of environmental planning and governance. The workshops will also provide an opportunity for students to raise questions or points of interest, and to discuss their findings. The workshop structure is framed around the roundtable and the two major assignments.

    Initially the workshops will run through the important environmental planning elements for South Australia.

    In the second half of the semester, the workshops will focus on international and global approaches to environmental planning and governance. 

    The take-home exam and the comparative analysis essay provide opportunities for you to undertake research that will allow you to articulate in written form the key challenges of contemporary environmental planning and governance at State and international scales. The comparative analysis will also be presented and discussed during the final workshops.
    Workload

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

    The information below is provided as a guide to assist students in engaging appropriately with the course requirements. Total estimated teaching and learning time: 26 hours/ week for 12 weeks.

    Contact time: 3 hours of workshop (compulsory)

    Other structured learning activities: 2 hours of on-line lectures (non-compulsory). Preparation for classroom and roundtable: active reading and study of week’s material and providing critical reviews of readings (11 hours per week)

    2 hours per week equivalent organising and undertaking guided face-to-face, email or telephone contact with SA government, industry and NGO environmental management practitioners.

    Preparation for assignments: 9 hours of assignment preparation time per week covering 2 major research assignments throughout the semester; equivalent of 1 hour preparation per week for presentation to peers.
    Learning Activities Summary
    Workshops during the semester:
    1.Course introduction
    2. Environmental Planning structures in Australia
    3. SA government environmental planning
    4. Regional NRM planning
    5. Local Government environmental planning
    6. Contentious topics in environmental planning & take-home exam
    7. Comparative analysis essay preparation
    8. Roundtable discussion forum
    9. International governance of risk
    10. Governing sustainable agricultural development
    11. Comparative analysis preparations
    12. Comparative analysis preparations

    Specific Course Requirements
    There are no course requirements additional to those above and below.
    Small Group Discovery Experience
    Students will work together in small groups during workshops throughout the first half of the semester to prepare for the Roundtable discussion forum. That discussion will not be assessed but it is a hurdle requirement forming part of the assessment for attendance.
  • Assessment

    The University's policy on Assessment for Coursework Programs is based on the following four principles:

    1. Assessment must encourage and reinforce learning.
    2. Assessment must enable robust and fair judgements about student performance.
    3. Assessment practices must be fair and equitable to students and give them the opportunity to demonstrate what they have learned.
    4. Assessment must maintain academic standards.

    Assessment Summary
    Attendance at workshops                         10% of final grade
    Take home exam- a planning challenge     40% of final grade
    Comparative analysis essay                      40% of final grade
    Comparative analysis presentation            10% of final grade
    Assessment Related Requirements
    There are no other assessment related requirements apart from those listed above and below.
    Assessment Detail
    Assessment details will be provided on the MyUni site for the course, on the detailed course outline and in the first workshop's slides.
    Submission
    The Take-Home Exam (assignment 1) and the Essay (assignment 2) will need to be submitted via the turnitin link on MyUni. Turnitin is an internet-based service that allows for checking of information sources and plagiarism (for more information see: www.turnitin.com/). I will also make your assessed work available via MyUni. For guidance on submission via MyUni, go to https://myuni.adelaide.edu.au/courses/24800. For more assistance on submitting your assignment file to MyUni, please telephone the Service Desk on 831 33000, 8 am – 6 pm, Monday to Friday or email servicedesk@adelaide.edu.au

    Assignments 1 & 2 must be lodged in electronic form by the given due date and time to avoid penalty. Extensions can be sought under the provisions of the Modified Arrangements for Coursework Assessment Policy or the Reasonable Adjustments for Teaching and Assessment for Students with a Disability Policy. Faculty of Arts policy states that a penalty of 2% will be deducted per day for any assignment that is submitted late. There will be a cut-off date for each assignment 7 days (including weekends and public holidays) after the original due date unless otherwise stipulated on MyUni. Work will not be accepted after the cut-off date, and a mark of zero will automatically be awarded for the assignment.
    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.

    The course is designed as a review of the important environmental planning and governance issues for South Australia and internationally. It aims to guide students’ critical interests in particular topics or areas of study. For that reason, there is significant opportunity for students to investigate particular issues that interest them. SELTS results from previous years suggest that some students find this independence to be one of the more challenging aspects of the course.

    The workshops, lectures and readings are designed to guide you through the development of your assignments. Another key to getting the most out of the subject is to use the workshops to raise particular issues with your lecturer and peers.
  • Student Support
  • Policies & Guidelines
  • 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.