Unit Outline

HPP312

Environmental Politics and Policy

Semester 1, 2026

Hannah Murphy

Humanities and Social Sciences

Arts and Society (Portfolio)

CRICOS Provider Code: 00586B

What is the Unit About?

Unit Description

This unit introduces students to the dynamics that shape contemporary environmental politics, policy and justice with broad appeal to students of social sciences, governance, justice studies, environmental studies and science. The roles of governments and non-state actors in contributing to environmental policy and governance arrangements are considered with reference to a number of contemporary case studies. The unit also analyses environmental ideas, values and beliefs and how these inform grassroots organising, political platforms and regulatory settings.

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	Explain key conceptual difficulties, theoretical perspectives and debates in the fields of environmental politics and policy.
2	Apply relevant theoretical perspectives and debates to real world examples of environmental politics and policy.
3	Analyse the complex and dynamic relationships between environmental politics and policy, policy outcomes, and political actors and institutions, at the local, national and/or international levels.
4	Communicate your ideas coherently in written and/or oral forms.

Requisites


REQUISITE TYPE	REQUISITES
Pre-requisite	25 points at introductory level in any discipline in any faculty
Anti-requisite (mutual excl)	HPP212 AND HSD330 AND HSD230

Alterations as a result of student feedback

The unit was fully revised when last offered in 2024 and has been further updated for 2026 to incorporate recent developments in environmental politics and policy-making.

Teaching arrangements


ATTENDANCE MODE	TEACHING TYPE	LEARNING ACTIVITY	CONTACT HOURS	FREQUENCY
On Campus	Lecture (Online)	Lecture and online materials and activities	2	Weekly
	Tutorial	Weekly attendance and participation in on-campus tutorial	2	Weekly
	Independent Learning	Tutorial preparation and readings	4	Weekly
	Independent Learning	Assessment task research, preparation, and writing	4	Weekly
	Independent Learning	Take-home exam research, preparation, and writing	12	Once only
Online	Lecture (Online)	Lecture and online materials and activities	2	Weekly
	Tutorial (Online)	Weekly attendance and participation in on-campus tutorial	2	Weekly
	Independent Learning	Tutorial preparation and readings	4	Weekly
	Independent Learning	Assessment task research, preparation, and writing	4	Weekly
	Independent Learning	Take-home exam research, preparation, and writing	12	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.

Students should attend all tutorials (on-campus or online depending on mode of enrolment) and actively engage with the weekly unit material including lectures, readings and activities.

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:	MyLO quiz on Module 1 of unit content	Week 7	15 %	LO1
Assessment Task 2:	Research Essay	Week 12	35 %	LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4
Assessment Task 3:	Tutorial attendance and participation/ Online tutorial attendance and participation.	Refer to Assessment Description	20 %	LO1, LO2, LO4
Assessment Task 4:	Take home exam	Exam Period	30 %	LO1, LO2, LO3

Assessment details

Assessment Task 1: MyLO quiz on Module 1 of unit content

Task Description:

MyLO quiz on Module 1 of unit content

Task Length:

750 words

Due Date:

Week 7

Weight:

15 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Demonstrated that designated material was read and reflected on via multiple choice questions	LO1

Assessment Task 2: Research Essay

Task Description:

Submit a research essay on one of the unit topics

Task Length:

2,500 words

Due Date:

Week 12

Weight:

35 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Demonstrated that knowledge of key concepts and theories was applied	LO1
2	Demonstrated the capacity to compare, contrast and evaluate concepts, theories and case studies	LO2
3	Demonstrated the capacity to undertake secondary research using information literacy skills	LO3
4	Communicated knowledge and research results using an essay format	LO4

Assessment Task 3: Tutorial attendance and participation/ Online tutorial attendance and participation.

Task Description:

On campus: tutorial attendance and participation. Off campus: online tutorial attendance and participation.

Task Length:

Due Date:

Refer to Assessment Description

Weight:

20 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Demonstrated that designated material was read and reflected on	LO1
2	Demonstrated the ability to compare, contrast and evaluate concepts, theories and case studies	LO2
3	Demonstrated the ability to communicate knowledge in face-to-face/online tutorials	LO4

Assessment Task 4: Take home exam

Task Description:

Take home exam

Task Length:

2,000 words

Due Date:

Exam Period

Weight:

30 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Demonstrated knowledge of key concepts and theories	LO1
2	Demonstrated capacity to compare, contrast and evaluate concepts, theories and case studies	LO2
3	Demonstrated ability to respond quickly, accurately and concisely to questions asked	LO3

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.

Required Resources

Required reading materials

Readings are available via the Library Reading List and linked in MyLO.