Units

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Sample subject outline - Semester 2 2013

Note: Subject outlines often change before the semester begins. Below is a sample outline.

Rationale

People and the environment interact to create distinctive and dynamic places and landscapes. Geography objectively views human activities, natural systems and their inter-relationships in terms of consequent spatial patterns and impacts on landscapes, regions and places. This approach positively contributes to investigations of: human-environment and landuse conflicts, population issues and settlement change, cultural patterns, global environmental change, globalisation, environmental management and sustainable development. The content of this introductory unit provides a grounding for more advanced studies in geography, the social sciences, humanities and sciences and is relevant to the wide range of vocations that require integrated, multi-disciplinary insights into landscape systems, planning and human-environment interaction.

Aims

This unit aims to take a geographical perspective to investigate how and where human and environmental systems act and interact to create distinctive and dynamic landscapes and places. It examines contemporary human and environmental issues in this context. This unit applies a macro-regional perspective to the examination of spatial issues.

Objectives

To successfully complete this unit, students need to demonstrate satisfactory competencies in:
1. Gaining knowledge of natural and human landscape features, patterns, processes and issues, from a geographical perspective - including those arising from interactions between people and the environment,
2. Researching, interpreting and synthesising geographical information from a range of sources,
3. Analysing landscapes and issues from a systems perspective using applicable information & methods; and applying outcomes to decision-making,
4. Communicating geographical knowledge, interpretations and analyses in written, mapped, statistical and diagrammatic forms.

Content

This introductory unit considers people and the environment from a geographical perspective. It identifies and investigates:
1. the natural and social landscape features and processes that shape and change places,
2. the factors affecting the spatial patterning and inter-connections of landscape features and processes,
3. how people interact with their environment, how this varies from place to place, and how this interaction creates distinctive geographical landscapes,
4. contemporary social and environmental issues from a geographical viewpoint and
5. the use of appropriate geographical skills in the technological age.

Themes include: natural systems and regions; social and environmental change, changing climates; hazards, resources and society; sustainable development; population change and migration; urbanisation; cultural landscapes and diffusion; and patterns and processes of land-use, settlement and development. Students will acquire basic skills of map interpretation as well as collecting, interpreting, analysing and presenting information and data using computers. Studies will range over scales from local to global with an emphasis on global. A weekly program and comprehensive unit outline (Week One Unit Information document) will be provided at the beginning of the semester.

Approaches to Teaching and Learning

The unit comprises a weekly contact program of lectures, and includes practical activities. Students are expected to attend these classes. The lecture program is supported by videos and other resources, which augment content and illustrate key concepts.

The lecture program and supporting study activities describe and analyse landscape systems, and demonstrate the role of geography in providing an integrating, applied approach to people and the environment issues. Practical exercises foster skills in: geographical information/data acquisition and analysis (including map/graphical/statistical interpretation and the use of internet-based resources). This unit seeks to foster initiative, independence and innovative thinking.

Assessment

Note: To obtain at least a pass grade of '4' in this unit, students must reasonably attempt all assessment items and obtain a passing mark on the Final Examination. Exceptionally poor performance in the examination or practical areas may result in overall failure in the unit. Refer to the Week One Unit Information document for specific assessment conditions and final due dates.

Students are expected to make themselves aware of the School's policies and procedures on assignments, grades, extensions, supplementary/deferred exams and special consideration; and the University's policies on plagiarism and cheating. Students should also note that deferred assessment items may not be in the same form as the original items.

Assessment name: Examination (practical)
Description: Practical examination referring to mapping skills and the interpretation of maps. Formative and summative assessment are provided for this item
Relates to objectives: 2 - 4.
Weight: 20%
Internal or external: Internal
Group or individual: Individual
Due date: TBA

Assessment name: Examination (practical)
Description: Practical examination relating to computer graphing techniques and the interpretation of such graphs. Formative and summative assessment are provided for this item.
Relates to objectives: 2 - 4.
Weight: 20%
Internal or external: Internal
Group or individual: Individual
Due date: TBA

Assessment name: Examination Final (written)
Description: Final multiple-choice & written examination - The exam typically includes a combination of shorter and longer knowledged-based items and skills-based items that assess students' progress in achieving each of the unit's aims with some emphasis on objectives 1 & 3. All unit content, readings and AV materials are assessable.
Relates to objectives: 1 - 4.
Weight: 60%
Internal or external: Internal
Group or individual: Individual
Due date: Exam Period

Academic Honesty

QUT is committed to maintaining high academic standards to protect the value of its qualifications. To assist you in assuring the academic integrity of your assessment you are encouraged to make use of the support materials and services available to help you consider and check your assessment items. Important information about the university's approach to academic integrity of assessment is on your unit Blackboard site.

A breach of academic integrity is regarded as Student Misconduct and can lead to the imposition of penalties.

Resource materials

No. 1
Type: Textbook
Getis, A., Getis, J. and Fellmann, J. ( 2009 ) Introduction to Geography New York, McGraw-Hill

No. 2
Type: Textbook
Kriewaldt, J (ed 2004) Keys to Geography, Essential Skills and Tools

Risk assessment statement

Staff have assessed the risks associated with the unit and consider them to be equivalent to regular commuting and sightseeing in urban settings. All issues or concerns in this context should be raised with the staff prior to undertaking any activities.
Disclaimer - Offer of some units is subject to viability, and information in these Unit Outlines is subject to change prior to commencement of semester.

Disclaimer - Offer of some units is subject to viability, and information in these Unit Outlines is subject to change prior to commencement of semester.

Last modified: 16-May-2012