Units

---

Sample subject outline - Semester 1 2013

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

Rationale

Australia has a unique place in the world of geography. For millions of years it has been separated from its neighbours and has developed a distinctive physical landscape. That separation has also developed a distinctive human landscape over the past 40,000 years.

Australia faces challenging problems in relation to its changing population, socio-economic development and environmental sustainability and resilience. Geographical expertise should be involved in the planning processes involved in drawing together the data and information required to help resolve these problems.

Aims

To describe and analyse Australia's natural and human landscapes, their interactions, and the interactions occurring between them from a geographical perspective.

To develop geographical skills in the area of Information Technology

Objectives

On completion of this unit, students should be able to:
1. Describe and explain the broad patterns and processes of Australia's natural, social and economic landscapes.
2. Identify and critically discuss how Australia's landscapes and regions are changing, and link this to the major social, environmental and developmental issues facing the country - including the issue of sustainable development and changing climates.
3. Understand the key areas of human-environment conflict, and the approaches to resource management being undertaken to address them. 4. Demonstrate knowledge of information sources and skills appropriate to geographical analyses and hence address key regional, human and environmental issues.
5. Demonstrate knowledge of contemporary research themes and methods in Australian geography.
6. Display emerging competence, independence and innovation in research, reporting and data acquisition/ analysis skills in geographical contexts using the latest technology.

Content

The unit uses an integrating, geographical approach to identify and describe distinctive Australian regional landscapes, and to investigate patterns, issues and changes in the landscape (natural, social and economic). The emphasis is on contemporary, issue-based themes and analyses of current data and research.

Themes include: environmental opportunities and constraints, resource management, land-use patterns and change, sustainable development, settlement patterns, urbanisation, population trends, migration, economic/ regional development, and rural change.

The unit also introduces key information/data sources and analysis methods relevant to contemporary geographical investigations including GIS. A weekly program and comprehensive unit outline will be available at the beginning of the semester.

Approaches to Teaching and Learning

The unit comprises a weekly contact program of lectures and tutorials including skills and/or AV activities. Students are expected to attend these sessions.

The overall program promotes knowledge of dynamic Australian landscapes from a contemporary, integrating, geographical approach, and hence fosters information and integration and skills in accordance with the aims of the unit. It therefore promotes and assesses generic skills in: information acquisition via library research, direct observations and computer/data/map-based sources; interpretation and critical analysis of data using systematic argumentation and/or quantitative approaches; and the effective presentation of ideas, analyses and outcomes via written reports and group discussion.

Students are strongly encouraged to personally discuss their progress in the unit with the unit staff.

Assessment

To obtain 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 final exam may result in overall failure of the unit.

Students must also demonstrate a minimum level of IT skills associated with the tutorial sessions. New students involved with the GIS program will need to advance to Level 6 of the GIS activities. Continuing students will need to complete the GIS activities. Further information will be provided in Week 1.

Students should be aware of the School's policies and procedures on assignments, grades, extensions, supplementary exams and special consideration; and the University's policies on plagiarism and cheating. Students should also note that supplementary/deferred assessment items may not be in the same form as the original items.Students will receive both written and oral feedback on their assessment items.

Assessment name: Research Paper
Description: WRITTEN REPORT - Each student typically submits 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 Australian geographical theme or area (Objectives 2-6). Formative and summative assessments are offered.
Relates to objectives: 2 - 6.
Weight: 40%
Internal or external: Internal
Group or individual: Individual
Due date: TBA

Assessment name: Examination (written)
Description: The final written exam typically includes some items requiring extended answers. All unit content and readings are assessable with the view to assessing students' progress. This is a summative assessment item, but individual feedback is offered.
Relates to objectives: 1 - 5.
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

The Heineman atlas is recommended.

C. Forster (2004) Australian Cities: Continuity and Change Oxford University Press (3rd edition) is a useful and affordable text on urban areas in Australia.
H. Bridgman, D Dragovich & J. Dodson (2008) The Australian Physical Environment, Oxford University Press. This is not a required text but is a useful resource detailing the physical geography of Australia.

Risk assessment statement

There are no risks associated with this unit beyond those associated with regular university attendance.

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: 09-Nov-2012