Unit Outline
ENV203
Leading in Outdoor Journeys
Semester 1, 2026
Marcus Morse
Faculty of Education
Arts and Society (Portfolio)
CRICOS Provider Code: 00586B
Unit Coordinator
Marcus Morse
Email: marcus.morse@utas.edu.au
What is the Unit About?
Unit Description
 
In this unit, you develop the knowledge and skills required to undertake and lead extended journeys in remote natural environment and consolidate your outdoor and environmental education journey skills, environmental knowledge, and outdoor leadership. Theory and practical work encourage the development of safe practice, sound judgment, understanding of self, care for others and the environment, preparation skills, environmental interpretation, and the ability to critically learn from experience. 
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
Develop leadership skills for outdoor journeys such as safe travel, navigation, fauna and flora interpretation, group management, minimal impact practices, personal well-being, and weather interpretation.
2
Research and present aspects of cultural and natural history, ecology and/or environmental management and present findings to a group.
3
Plan, prepare for, and lead extended journeys in remote outdoor environments.
4
Communicate critical thinking through writing, speaking, teamwork and academic integrity.
Requisites
REQUISITE TYPE
REQUISITES
Pre-requisite
50 credit points of introductory units
Alterations as a result of student feedback
 
 
 
Teaching arrangements
ATTENDANCE MODE
TEACHING TYPE
LEARNING ACTIVITY
CONTACT HOURS
FREQUENCY
On Campus
Workshop
Face-to-face on campus
2
Weekly
Fieldwork
2-day field work activity (inclusive of all travel and break times, equivalent to 2.5 hours of lecture content time)
5
Once only
Fieldwork
7-day field work activity (inclusive of all travel and break times, equivalent to 2.5 hours of lecture content time)
17.50
Once only
Attendance / engagement expectations
If your unit is offered On campus, it is expected that you will attend all on-campus and onsite learning activities. This is to support your own learning and the development of a learning community within the unit. If you are unable to attend regularly, please discuss the situation with your course coordinator and/or our UConnect support team.

If your unit is offered Online or includes online activities, it is expected you will engage in all those activities as indicated in the Unit Outline or MyLO, including any self-directed learning.

If you miss a learning activity for a legitimate reason (e.g., illness, carer responsibilities) teaching staff will attempt to provide alternative activities (e.g., make up readings) where it is possible.
 
 
 
 
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:
Reflective Essay
Week 4
25 %
LO1, LO3, LO4
Assessment Task 2:
Research Report and Presentation
Week 9
50 %
LO1, LO2, LO4
Assessment Task 3:
Practical Fieldwork Assessment
Week 11
25 %
LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4
 
Assessment details
Assessment Task 1: Reflective Essay
Task Description:
A reflective essay that views lived experience through a critical lens of safety, risk management, fatality prevention, group management, and leadership theory models.

Due after fieldwork journey
Task Length:
1000 words
Due Date:
Week 4
Weight:
25 %
 
CRITERION #
CRITERION
MEASURES INTENDED
LEARNING OUTCOME(S)
1
Critically reflect on safety, communications, and weather interpretation practices in remote environments
LO1
2
Evaluate leadership, group management, and minimal impact practices in remote environments
LO1
3
Examine outdoor living and travelling skills for extended journeys in a remote natural setting
LO3
4
Apply academic integrity values to the communication of ideas and reflections
LO4
 
Assessment Task 2: Research Report and Presentation
Task Description:
A pre-trip research assignment on the natural and/or cultural history of the area to be visited combined with an interpretive presentation during the journey.
Task Length:
2000 words (equivalent)
Due Date:
Week 9
Weight:
50 %
 
 
CRITERION #
CRITERION
MEASURES INTENDED
LEARNING OUTCOME(S)
1
Research aspects of cultural and natural history, ecology and/or environmental management
LO2
2
Demonstrate knowledge specific to a remote natural environment through a focus on interpretation, group management and communication
LO1
3
Present a thematic interpretation and dialogue in a group setting
LO2
4
Apply academic integrity values to the communication of ideas and reflections
LO4
 
Assessment Task 3: Practical Fieldwork Assessment
Task Description:
A remote outdoor journey in lutruwita / Tasmania of up to 9 days duration that includes active participation in journey-based travel, off-track navigation, environmental interpretation, leadership, weather interpretation, and safety management.

Satisfactory participation in practical fieldwork is required to meet this hurdle assessment. Satisfactory participation includes adequate preparation, safe practices, care for self, others and the environment, and active engagement in group work. Students who are unable to attend will have the opportunity to complete the hurdle later in the teaching period or when the unit reoccurs in a following teaching period (within 12 months).

Due during fieldwork journey.
Task Length:
1000 word equivalent
Due Date:
Week 11
Weight:
25 %
 
CRITERION #
CRITERION
MEASURES INTENDED
LEARNING OUTCOME(S)
1
Demonstrate group management, minimal impact practices, personal well-being, navigation, environmental interpretation, and weather interpretation
LO1, LO2
2
Establish outdoor living and travelling skills in a remote natural setting
LO3
3
Communicate critical environmental thinking through dialogue and teamwork
LO2, 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.
 
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.