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Engaging with Sustainability unit (HUM111)

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Unit year 2026

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Location: Online

Introduction

Contemporary media is saturated with images of extreme weather events, hunger, poverty, conflict, pollution, austerity, and financial crisis. Mounting evidence suggests the 21st century will be defined by unprecedented challenges related to environmental instability, economic inequality and risks to social well-being on a global scale. The idea of sustainability has become a focal point in efforts to tackle the root causes of these challenges yet often seems elusive. The meanings of sustainability and implications for action are as hotly contested as they are complex, wide-ranging and value-laden. As a result, this unit brings a wide range of perspectives to bear on questions of sustainability that integrate environmental, social and economic disciplines. The unit will develop your interdisciplinary understanding of sustainability through critical thinking, reflection and evidence-based argument focussed on practical case studies drawn from around the world. Unit delivery focuses on dialogue and inquiry between teachers, yourself, and your peers that respects the importance of diverse perspectives. The unit develops skills related to understanding core concepts, synthesising knowledge, communicating with diverse audiences, engaging in constructive debate and becoming more self-aware of what sustainability means and what practices it entails—professionally and personally.

Summary

Unit name Engaging with Sustainability
Unit code HUM111
Credit points 12.5
College/School Arts and Society
Humanities and Social Sciences
Discipline Tasmanian School of Business and Economics|Education|Agriculture and Food Systems|Philosophy
Coordinator Doctor Graham Wood
Available as an elective? Yes
Delivered By University of Tasmania
Level Introductory

Availability

Location Study period Attendance options Available to
Online Semester 1 This unit is available through off-campus delivery Available to International Students Available to Domestic Students
  • Key:
  • This unit is available through on-campus delivery On-campus
  • This unit is available through off-campus delivery Off-Campus
  • Available to International Students International students
  • Available to Domestic Students Domestic students
Note

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Units are offered in attending mode unless otherwise indicated (that is attendance is required at the campus identified). A unit identified as offered by distance, that is there is no requirement for attendance, is identified with a nominal enrolment campus. A unit offered to both attending students and by distance from the same campus is identified as having both modes of study.

Key Dates

Study Period Start date Census date WW date End date
Semester 1 22/2/2026 16/3/2026 19/4/2026 13/6/2026

* The Final WW Date is the final date from which you can withdraw from the unit without academic penalty, however you will still incur a financial liability (refer to How do I withdraw from a unit? for more information).

Unit census dates currently displaying for 2026 are indicative and subject to change. Finalised census dates for 2026 will be available from the 1st October 2025. Note census date cutoff is 11.59pm AEST (AEDT during October to March).

About Census Dates

Learning Outcomes

  • Demonstrate understanding of a range of evidence, debate, and theoretical perspectives related to social, economic and environmental dimensions of sustainability.
  • Critically investigate and synthesise theories, practices, arguments, and values that give meaning to sustainability.
  • Reflect upon and articulate your current understanding of sustainability and constructively engage with the views of others, both as an individual and as part of a group/team.

Fee Information

Field of Education Commencing Student Contribution 1,3 Grandfathered Student Contribution 1,3 Approved Pathway Course Student Contribution 2,3 Domestic Full Fee 4
050900 $1,192.00 $1,192.00 not applicable $3,382.00
  • Available as a Commonwealth Supported Place
  • HECS-HELP is available on this unit, depending on your eligibility3
  • FEE-HELP is available on this unit, depending on your eligibility4

1 Please refer to more information on student contribution amounts.
2 Please refer to more information on eligibility and Approved Pathway courses.
3 Please refer to more information on eligibility for HECS-HELP.
4 Please refer to more information on eligibility for FEE-HELP.

If you have any questions in relation to the fees, please contact UniConnect or more information is available on StudyAssist.

Please note: international students should refer to What is an indicative Fee? to get an indicative course cost.

Requisites

Mutual Exclusions

You cannot enrol in this unit as well as the following:

HAA101 Confronting Sustainability|XBR101 Engaging with Sustainability

Teaching

Teaching Pattern

Weekly pre-recorded lectures (total of 2 hours) and real time tutorial (1 hour at a set time each week)

AssessmentEssay Preparation Task (10%)|Essay (25%)|Learning Journal (25%)|Group Project (40%)
TimetableView the lecture timetable | View the full unit timetable

Textbooks

Required

Thiele (2013 or later edition) Sustainability, Cambridge: Polity Press, plus additional readings available in the Reading List (accessible via MyLO and the UTAS library site).

The University reserves the right to amend or remove courses and unit availabilities, as appropriate.