Unit Outline

KGA171 Global Geographies of Change introduces you to the study of geography and environment by considering the critical intersections of climate, hazards, vulnerability, and sustainability alongside pressing issues related to population, development, and territory. In this unit, you will develop an understanding of earth and human systems, employing geographical imagination and cutting-edge mapping applications to navigate the intricate global geographies of change.

You will learn via collaborative workshops, fieldwork and immersive experiences, including in-person or online field trips to coastal and vulnerable lands, and to explore landscape interpretation from indigenous scholars. You will examine environmental change through varied territorial and demographic lenses, fostering an enriched understanding of real-world challenges and ensuring that human experiences and perspectives remain at the heart of our exploration.

Our aim in teaching KGA171 is to demonstrate how the study of geography and environment can contribute to the creation of a fairer and more sustainable world. We teach in the belief that rigour and passion are a powerful combination in knowing the world so as to change it for the better. Our team are committed to offering you an enriching learning journey regardless of whether you study in person or online. We hope you find studying Global Geographies of Change relevant, interesting, challenging and exciting!

Intended Learning Outcomes

As per the Assessment and Results Policy 1.3, your results will reflect your achievement against specified learning outcomes.

On completion of this unit, you will be able to:


1.	describe spatial patterns and processes of global environmental and social change
2.	apply geographical skills of mapping to interpret and produce spatial information
3.	consider geographical arguments, contexts and evidence in assessing global debates about the environment, development and sustainability
4.	communicate critical and evidence-based geographical thinking through writing, speaking, teamwork and academic integrity

Requisites


REQUISITE TYPE	REQUISITES
Anti-requisite (mutual excl)	XPD122

Alterations as a result of student feedback

The design and delivery of this unit has been shaped over the years by student feedback, both formal and informal. Changes made to this delivery includes, for example: extending the submission date for the first written assessment; reducing the weighting of marks alloacted to the Exam; and redesign of some of the workshop activities. These and other key changes made as a result of student feedback will be noted during the delivery of the unit.

How will I be Assessed?

For more detailed assessment information please see MyLO.

Assessment schedule


ASSESSMENT TASK #	ASSESSMENT TASK NAME	DATE DUE	WEIGHT	LINKS TO INTENDED LEARNING OUTCOMES
Assessment Task 1:	Essay	Week 14	30 %	LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4
Assessment Task 2:	Exam	Exam Period	30 %	LO1, LO3, LO4
Assessment Task 3:	On-line quizzes	Refer to Assessment Description	10 %	LO1, LO2, LO3
Assessment Task 4:	Workshop Portfolio	Refer to Assessment Description	30 %	LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4

Assessment details

Assessment Task 1: Essay

Task Description:

Academic essay article that integrates physical and human geography knowledge applied to a vulnerability scenario.
Written tasks may be subject to a confirmation of learning check via a viva voce. You will be prepared for this during semester.
Detailed information about the essay and assessment criteria is provided in the KGA171 MyLO site.

Task Length:

1200-1500 words

Due Date:

Week 14

Weight:

30 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Present and interpret geographical information	LO1, LO2, LO3
2	300 Draw connections between different forms of evidence, argument and context	LO1, LO3
3	Draw connections between different forms of evidence, argument and context	LO2, LO3
4	Use academic and professional communication conventions	LO4

Assessment Task 2: Exam

Task Description:

You are required to sit a two-hour online examination at the end of semester (June, date to be advised). Further details will be provided towards the end of semester. All seminar material and content of workshops is examinable. While textbook material is not directly examinable, careful reading of the textbook will strengthen your performance in the exam.

Task Length:

2 hours

Due Date:

Exam Period

Weight:

30 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Define and apply key geographical concepts about global spatial change	LO1
2	Present and interpret geographical information	LO1, LO3
3	Draw connections between different forms of evidence, argument and context	LO1, LO3
4	Summarise diverse arguments, contexts and evidence	LO3
5	Use academic and professional communication conventions	LO4

Assessment Task 3: On-line quizzes

Task Description:

Two on-line quizzes will be available in MyLO, Quiz 1 in Week 5 and Quiz 2 in Week 13. They each include 30 questions, in formats such as multiple choice, true/false and missing word. The quizzes consolidate understanding of seminars and facilitate Exam preparation.

Once logged in you have 2 hours to complete the quiz. You will receive a score. You may do the quiz up to 2 times. Questions will remain the same, but you will not know which answers are incorrect. Your highest score will be recorded for assessment. Correct answers will be revealed once the quiz is closed the week following its release.

Task Length:

Each quiz includes 30 questions, in formats such as multiple choice, true/false and missing word.

Due Date:

Refer to Assessment Description

Weight:

10 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Define and apply key geographical concepts about global spatial change	LO1
2	Interpret geographical information	LO1, LO2
3	Choose the correct answer in response to questions on global geographies of change	LO1, LO3

Assessment Task 4: Workshop Portfolio

Task Description:

You are assessed based on a portfolio of 2 assignments, altogether worth 30% of your final assessment: 1. Individual report integrating field data, mapping skills and application of geographic knowledge (due in Week 5); 2. Group presentation derived from a mock IPCC council meeting to address climate change in four nations (due in Week 7).
Self-and-peer assessment techniques apply to group work tasks. Individual tasks may be subject to a confirmation of learning check via a viva voce. Ways to deliver group and individual work are taught in workshops leading up to the submission of the relevant tasks. Detailed information about portfolio tasks and assessment criteria is provided in the KGA171 MyLO site.

Task Length:

AT2.1 Sketch map & 300-500 words AT2.2 15-minute presentation

Due Date:

Refer to Assessment Description

Weight:

30 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Define and apply key geographical concepts about global spatial change	LO1
2	Present and interpret geographical information	LO1, LO2, LO3
3	Summarise diverse arguments, contexts and evidence	LO1, LO3
4	Draw connections between different forms of evidence, argument and context	LO2, LO3
5	Use academic and professional communication conventions	LO4
6	Work as part of a self-directed and effective team	LO4
7	Apply geographical skills of mapping to interpret and produce maps, graphs and field data	LO2

How your final result is determined

To pass this unit, you need to demonstrate your attainment of each of the Intended Learning Outcomes, achieve a final unit grade of 50% or greater, and pass any hurdle tasks.

Submission of assignments

Where practicable, assignments should be submitted to an assignment submission folder in MYLO. You must submit assignments by the due date or receive a penalty (unless an extension of time has been approved by the Unit Coordinator). Students submitting any assignment in hard copy, or because of a practicum finalisation, must attach a student cover sheet and signed declaration for the submission to be accepted for marking.

Requests for extensions

If you are unable to submit an assessment task by the due date, you should apply for an extension.

A request for an extension should first be discussed with your Unit Coordinator or teaching support team where possible. A request for an extension must be submitted by the assessment due date, except where you can provide evidence it was not possible to do so. Typically, an application for an extension will be supported by documentary evidence: however, where it is not possible for you to provide evidence please contact your Unit Coordinator.

The Unit Coordinator must notify you of the outcome of an extension request within 3 working days of receiving the request.

Late penalties

Assignments submitted after the deadline will receive a late penalty of 5% of the original available mark for each calendar day (or part day) that the assignment is late. Late submissions will not be accepted more than 10 calendar days after the due date, or after assignments have been returned to other students on a scheduled date, whichever occurs first. Further information on Late Penalties can be found on the Assessments and Results Procedure.

Review of results and appeals

You are entitled to ask for a review of the marking and grading of your assessment task if there is an irregularity in the marking standards or an error in the process for determining the outcome of an assessment. Details on how to request a review of a mark for an assignment are outlined in the Review and Appeal of Academic Decisions Procedure.