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

"Environmental hazards" include both natural hazards (floods, drought, fire, tropical cyclones, storms, geological hazards, bio-hazards etc.) and technological hazards (pollution, chemicals, wastes, radiation, accelerated environmental change etc.). Despite living in a modern, "advanced" world, these hazards continue to be significant agents of damage, disruption and loss. Why? Are changing societies becoming more vulnerable to hazards, or less so? Hazard geography investigates: the characteristics and distribution of hazards; patterns of risk and vulnerability; and how people perceive, manage and adjust to hazardous environments - particularly in the context of landuse and settlement patterns. Planners, educators, policy-makers, governments, and a wide range of professional and community groups require such knowledge in order to properly meet their public and legislative responsibilities. The potential for incidents or disasters, and opportunities for improved hazard management, can often be identified from geographically-based studies.

Aims

This unit takes a geographical perspective to investigate the characteristics and distribution of environmental hazards, patterns of risk and vulnerability, and how people perceive, manage and adjust to hazardous environments.

Objectives

To successfully complete this unit, students need to demonstrate satisfactory competencies in:

1. Gaining knowledge of the geography of hazardous landscapes, including how the interacting elements of risk, vulnerability, hazard/risk perception and hazard management create distinctive landscapes


2. Researching, interpreting and synthesizing information relevant to hazard identification and management from a variety of sources


3. Analysing hazardous landscapes and hazard management from a geographical perspective using applicable information and methods; and applying outcomes to decision-making


4. Communicating knowledge, interpretations and analyses in written and graphical forms

Content

Hazard geography studies places and regions where people live in potentially hazardous situations. It describes how interacting natural and human factors influence and change patterns of risk and vulnerability and seeks to analyse how communities perceive and manage their exposure to hazards. Analyses of landuse, settlement and demographic patterns in these contexts are featured. The unit develops a practical understanding of hazard geography using solid conceptual and skills frameworks. Emphasis is on natural hazards and technological hazards. The development and application of geographical skills will be important. A detailed program and unit outline will be available at the beginning of the semester.

Approaches to Teaching and Learning

The unit is taught with a combination of lectures and tutorials. The program features accessing and analysing information from the web, reports and publications, videos and the mass-media. Wide-ranging skills in research, analysis and reporting will be developed. The flexible structure of the unit fosters the development of additional generic skills in independent learning, self-motivation, and time management.

Assessment

Conditional grading applies in this unit. In summary, to obtain a passing grade of at least '4' in this unit, students must reasonably attempt all assessment items and achieve a passing grade on the Final Exam. Exceptionally poor performance on either the Final Exam or Report may result in unit failure. Refer to the Week One Document (Unit Information Document) for full conditions.

Students should be aware of the School's policies and procedures on reports, grades, extensions and supplementary exams; and the University's policies on plagiarism and cheating.Feedback on assessment items will be provided on their return. Students are encouraged to seek further feedback on their reports and/or exams from the unit co-ordinator.

Assessment name: Report (Written)
Description: Written Report (compulsory)
Each student will submit a written report (approx 2000-2500 words). Topics/ format will be discussed at the beginning of the semester, and will involve research and information analysis concerning a contemporary hazard issue or area. Formative and summative assessments are offered.
Relates to objectives: 1 - 4.
Weight: 40%
Internal or external: Internal
Group or individual: Individual
Due date: TBA

Assessment name: Examination (written)
Description: FINAL EXAMINATION - The exam typically includes a combination of definitions, short answers, longer answers and map/diagram-based items that assess students' progress in achieving each of the unit's objectives.
All unit content, readings and videos 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

Useful references include.

No. 1
Type: Reference
Chapman, D ( 1999 ) Natural Hazards ( 2nd ed ) Melbourne, Oxford University Press

No. 2
Type: reference
Kriewaldt, J (Ed) ( 2004 ) Keys to Geography : Essential Skills and Tools Melbourne, Macmillan


Reading lists for lecture sessions and unit modules will be posted progressively through the semester.

Risk assessment statement

There are no out of the ordinary risks associated with this unit.

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