Handbook : Unit informationEdith Cowan University

Faculty of Health, Engineering and Science

School: Natural Sciences

This unit information may be updated and amended immediately prior to semester. To ensure you have the correct outline, please check it again at the beginning of semester.

• Unit Title

  Managing the Environment

• Unit Code

  SCI1181

• Year

  2015

• Enrolment Period

  1

• Version

  1

• Credit Points

  15

• Full Year Unit

  N

• Mode of Delivery

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Description

The purpose of this unit is to provide students with an understanding of how the legislative and administrative frameworks of government are developed and applied to managing the environment in general, and conserving Australia's biota in particular. The unit presents the major stakeholders involved, their role and how they meet their role.

Learning Outcomes

On completion of this unit students should be able to:

1. Describe the key administrative structures and current initiatives to address these issues,
2. Describe the main instruments of environmental planning and policy, and
3. Describe the major issues facing environmental managers in facilitating ecologically sustainable development in the various Australian environments,
4. Evaluate the contribution of public participation.
5. Explain the various relevant components such as legislation, agreements, treaties and policy,
6. Identify the key stakeholder groups, describe their role and explain how they fulfil their role (including the three sphere of government),
7. Outline the development of Australia's current approaches,

Unit Content

1. Aboriginal and non-western approaches to environmental management and nature conservation
2. Application of environmental management for ecologically sustainable development; the role and involvement of communities in managing the environment; Agenda 21 and the Earth Charter.
3. Contributions of economics, education and politics towards achieving general environmental goals, and specific conservation objectives.
4. Environmental management principles and their application in managing various environment components such as air, land and water.
5. Global environment issues and their impact on managing Australia's environment, and conserving Australia's biota
6. The constitution and nature of environmental law; institutional frameworks for the operation and enforcement of environmental laws; processes of planning environmental administration.
7. The differences between opinions, dictates, policies and laws.
8. The roles and structures of government departments and agencies which exercise authority in the field of environmental management; coordination between spheres of government in managing the environment.

Additional Learning Experience Information

Content and skills will be addressed through the following processes: Compulsory skills workshop held during practicum week 1. Lectures and tutorials

Assessment

GS1 GRADING SCHEMA 1 Used for standard coursework units

Students please note: The marks and grades received by students on assessments may be subject to further moderation. All marks and grades are to be considered provisional until endorsed by the relevant Board of Examiners.

Text References

• ^ Aplin, G. (1998). Australians and their environment. An introduction to environmental studies. Melbourne: Oxford University Press. Note: Nil
• Nil

^ Mandatory reference

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