Courses & Units
Engaging with Sustainability HUM111
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 | College of Arts, Law and Education School of Humanities |
| Discipline | Tasmanian School of Business and Economics|Education|Geography, Planning, and Spatial Sciences|Philosophy and Gender Studies |
| Coordinator | Doctor Graham Wood |
| Available as an elective? | Yes |
| Delivered By | University of Tasmania |
Availability
| Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Online | Semester 1 | Off-Campus | International | Domestic | |
Key
- On-campus
- Off-Campus
- International students
- Domestic students
Note
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Key Dates
| Study Period | Start date | Census date | WW date | End date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Semester 1 | 26/2/2024 | 22/3/2024 | 15/4/2024 | 2/6/2024 |
* 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 2024 are indicative and subject to change. Finalised census dates for 2024 will be available from the 1st October 2023. Note census date cutoff is 11.59pm AEST (AEDT during October to March).
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.
Fee Information
The 2024 Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP) rates are still being finalised by the Government and we will update the domestic fee information as soon as we have more details.
Requisites
Mutual Exclusions
You cannot enrol in this unit as well as the following:
HAA101 Confronting Sustainability|XBR101 Engaging with SustainabilityTeaching
| Teaching Pattern | Weekly pre-recorded lectures (total of 2 hours) and real time tutorial (1 hour at a set time each week) |
|---|---|
| Assessment | Essay Preparation Task (10%)|Essay (30%)|Group Project (30%)|Learning Journal (30%) |
| Timetable | View the lecture timetable | View the full unit timetable |
Textbooks
| Required |
Thiele (2013 edition or 2016 edition) Sustainability, Cambridge: Polity Press. |
Links | Booktopia textbook finder |
|---|
The University reserves the right to amend or remove courses and unit availabilities, as appropriate.