| Semester 1, 2021 Online | |
| Short Description: | Global Environmental Politics |
| Units : | 1 |
| Faculty or Section : | Faculty of Business, Education, Law and Arts |
| School or Department : | School of Humanities & Communication |
| Student contribution band : | 2021 Grandfather Funding Cl 1 |
| ASCED code : | 090101 - Political Science |
| Grading basis : | Graded |
Staffing
Examiner:
Other requisites
Students are required to have access to a personal computer, e-mail capabilities and Internet access to UConnect. Current details of computer requirements can be found at
As this is a third-year level course, it is advisable that students do not take this course in their first year of study. It is recommended that students have completed a minimum of twelve units (or three semesters full-time) in any program of study before attempting this course.
Rationale
Environmental issues are of pressing international concern, cooperation, and conflict. As such, it is crucial that graduates in international relations are equipped with a knowledge of how environmental discourse operates in the context of global foreign relations and economy. This course introduces students to new ecocritical theories in international relations (or 鈥済reen IR鈥�) and applies these theories to professional and policy contexts in the contemporary global arena. The course features problem-based group assessments that require collaborative teamwork in the application of advanced knowledge to scenarios and professional presentations and reports. This course further develops students鈥� skills in analysis, creative problem-solving, and written and oral communication to a graduate-ready level.
Synopsis
This course applies international relations theories and practices to global environmental issues. It introduces you to specialised international relations theories pertaining to the environment. It facilitates in-depth analysis of contemporary global environmental governance, such as the Paris Accord, and important security issues, including military security, human security, and economic development. This course is included in the International Relations major, but can be taken as an elective by any student with an interest in the intersection between politics and the environment in a globalising world.
Objectives
On successful completion of this course students should be able to:
- identify key trends, discourses, and debates in global environmental politics and governance;
- reflect on the political, economic, scientific, social, and cultural factors influencing environmental policy in Australia and other global contexts;
- competently apply oral and written skills in the analysis and discussion of environmental issues, via policy, academic sources, media, and cultural texts that inform debates about the environment;
- comprehend, analyse and apply literature and theory to a field of study;
- apply ethical research, enquiry skills and academic integrity via the norms of research and referencing of work;
- work effectively in a team-based and collaborative professional environment.
Topics
| Description | Weighting(%) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | Environmental IR theory | 25.00 |
| 2. | Environmental policy, conventions, and protocols | 25.00 |
| 3. | Environment and security | 25.00 |
| 4. | Environment and non-state governance | 25.00 |
Text and materials required to be purchased or accessed
ALL textbooks and materials available to be purchased can be sourced from (unless otherwise stated). (https://omnia.usq.edu.au/textbooks/?year=2021&sem=01&subject1=INR3007)
Please for alternative purchase options from USQ Bookshop. (https://omnia.usq.edu.au/info/contact/)
All material for this course is available online via Study Desk and it is the student's responsibility to access these materials each week..
Reference materials
Student workload expectations
| Activity | Hours |
|---|---|
| Independent Study | 122.00 |
| Online Chat and Course Planning | 30.00 |
| Workshops | 13.00 |
Assessment details
| Description | Marks out of | Wtg (%) | Due Date | Objectives Assessed | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| WORKSHOPS | 100 | 20 | 28 May 2021 | 1,2,3,6 | (see note 1) |
| WORKSHOP WRITTEN REPORTS | 100 | 40 | 31 May 2021 | 1,2,3,4,5 | (see note 2) |
| FINAL ESSAY | 100 | 40 | 04 Jun 2021 | 1,2,3,4,5 |
Notes
- There will be four workshops held throughout the semester involving collaborative problem-solving exercises. The date provided here indicates the last possible date of the final workshop. Please refer to StudyDesk for a complete schedule of workshops.
- Written reports based on workshop activities will be due the week following each workshop. The date here indicates the deadline for the final report. Please refer to StudyDesk for deadlines for each of the reports.
Important assessment information
-
Attendance requirements:
It is the students' responsibility to attend and participate appropriately in all activities scheduled for them, and to study all material provided to them or required to be accessed by them, to maximise their chance of meeting the objectives of the course and to be informed of course-related activities and administration. -
Requirements for students to complete each assessment item satisfactorily:
To satisfactorily complete an individual assessment item a student must achieve at least 50% of the marks for that item. Depending upon the requirements in Statement 4 below, students may not have to satisfactorily complete each assessment item to receive a passing grade in this course. -
Penalties for late submission of required work:
Students should refer to the Assessment Procedure (point 4.2.4) -
Requirements for student to be awarded a passing grade in the course:
To be assured of receiving a passing grade a student must achieve at least 50% of the total weighted marks available for the course. -
Method used to combine assessment results to attain final grade:
The final grades for students will be assigned on the basis of the aggregate of the weighted marks obtained for each of the summative items for the course. -
Examination information:
There is no examination in this course. -
Examination period when Deferred/Supplementary examinations will be held:
There is no examination in this course, there will be no deferred or supplementary examinations. -
University Student Policies:
Students should read the USQ policies: Definitions, Assessment and Student Academic Misconduct to avoid actions which might contravene University policies and practices. These policies can be found at .
Assessment notes
-
Referencing in assignments must comply with the Harvard (AGPS) referencing system. This system should be used by students to format details of the information sources they have cited in their work. The Harvard (APGS) style to be used is defined by the USQ library鈥檚 referencing guide. This guide can be found at .
Evaluation and benchmarking
In meeting the University鈥檚 aims to establish quality learning and teaching for all programs, this course monitors and ensures quality assurance and improvements in at least two ways. This course:
1. conforms to the USQ Policy on Evaluation of Teaching, Courses and Programs to ensure ongoing monitoring and systematic improvement.
2. forms part of the Bachelor of Arts and is benchmarked against the internal USQ accreditation/reaccreditation processes which include (i) stringent standards in the independent accreditation of its academic programs, (ii) close integration between business and academic planning, and (iii) regular and rigorous review.