Unit Outline

In this unit, you will be introduced to the concept of sustainability starting with the transformations necessary for achieving the 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in a way that organises them into 6 logical groups. You will examine each grouping and how collectively they form a framework for accelerating progress, in line with the latest global efforts to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030, and a just, and sustainable world by 2050 within safe planetary limits. This deeply interdisciplinary unit explores transformation across education, health, energy, sustainable food production, land, water and oceans, sustainable cities and communities. Along with the transformations you will identify the environmental, social, and economic implications of traditional production, processing and manufacturing systems at local and global scales and learn why we need to rethink and redesign the way we make and consume things. You will learn how decoupling, digital transformation and circular design must underpin all of these transformations. As immediate and ambitious action is necessary to achieve a sustainable future, you will explore, ‘how are we going to get there?’ as well as your own role in contributing to change.

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	Identify and assess the environmental, social and economic implications for a sustainable world
2	Describe approaches to sustainability that allow us to rethink and redesign production and consumption
3	Communicate information to support decision-making for sustainable outcomes and propose solutions or innovations
4	Reflect on your own role and approaches to practice that contribute to achieving the sustainable development goals

Requisites


REQUISITE TYPE	REQUISITES
Anti-requisite (mutual excl)	ZAS108

Alterations as a result of student feedback

To be determined.

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:	Introductory Quiz	Week 3	5 %	LO1
Assessment Task 2:	Environmental Scan (E-Scan)	Week 4	20 %	LO1, LO3, LO4
Assessment Task 3:	Photographic Essay	Week 8	35 %	LO1, LO2, LO3
Assessment Task 4:	Circular Design Poster	Week 12	40 %	LO2, LO3, LO4

Assessment details

Assessment Task 1: Introductory Quiz

Task Description:

You will undertake an introductory multiple choice quiz worth 5% of your overall grade. The quiz will assess your progress in the introductory stage of the unit.

See Quiz instructions in MyLO for more information.

Task Length:

10 multiple choice questions covering content from Introductory content of the unit.

Due Date:

Week 3

Weight:

5 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Demonstrates understanding of key concepts related to sustainability and the SDGs.	LO1
2	Identify the concept of transformational change and its importance in achieving the SDGs	LO1

Assessment Task 2: Environmental Scan (E-Scan)

Task Description:

This assessment involves conducting an environmental scan (E-Scan) to analyse sustainability issues from the perspectives of academia, government, advocacy groups/NGOs, and the media. You will examine a range of sources to identify key themes and present your findings concisely in a two-page document using dot points.

Along with the E-scan, you will submit a 200-word reflection on your learning experience will also be included.

See MyLO for detailed instructions.

Task Length:

Two A4 pages + references and a 200-word reflection

Due Date:

Week 4

Weight:

20 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Use evidence from literature and industry sources to support descriptions and evaluations of contemporary issues	LO1
2	Analyse information to support decision-making, problem solving or innovation for sustainable outcomes	LO1
3	Communicate ideas and information using E- scan format	LO3
4	Identify relevant sustainable development goals	LO1
5	Reflect on the process of learning through development of an e-scan	LO4

Assessment Task 3: Photographic Essay

Task Description:

This assessment requires you to create a photographic essay exploring sustainability challenges within one natural resource industry in one emerging economy, contrasting these with one developed economy. Your photos and captions will analyse these challenges, linking each photograph/image to the relevant "transformation" for achieving the SDGs.

See MyLO for detailed instructions.

Task Length:

Six images in total, each with approx. 120 - 150-word annotations per image. Four images for the emerging economy (incl. introduction) Two images in developed economy (incl. conclusion) (800-word total)

Due Date:

Week 8

Weight:

35 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Identify sustainability issues in an emerging economy	LO1
2	Differentiate sustainability issues between emerging and developed economies	LO2
3	Assess and communicatee ideas and information in visual representations	LO3

Assessment Task 4: Circular Design Poster

Task Description:

You will investigate a circular-design product and create a poster that explains and depicts:
a. what is meant by the term ‘circular economy’,
b. how it is different to a ‘linear economy’
c. the key elements of circular design with reference to your example,
d. the circular design example, and
e. the key challenges for broad adoption of a circular economy and how you can personally encourage and engage in it (reflection)
In-text citations must be included in the poster body-text with a full reference list provided on a separate A4 sheet.

See MyLO for detailed instructions.

Task Length:

A3 Poster (500-word minimum) plus a 500-word reflection plus reference list

Due Date:

Week 12

Weight:

40 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Compare a circular economy with a linear economy	LO2
2	Analyse an existing example of a circular design	LO2
3	Communicate ideas and information using prescribed formats and styles	LO3
4	Reflect on assessment task outcomes and personal responses	LO4

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.

Academic progress review

The results for this unit may be included in a review of your academic progress. For information about progress reviews and what they mean for all students, see Academic Progress Review in the Student Portal.

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.

Academic integrity

Academic integrity is about acting responsibly, honestly, ethically, and collegially when using, producing, and communicating information with other students and staff members.

In written work, you must correctly reference the work of others to maintain academic integrity. To find out the referencing style for this unit, see the assessment information in the MyLO site, or contact your teaching staff. For more detail about Academic Integrity, see Important Guidelines & Support.

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.