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University of Sydney | Faculty of Science | School of Geosciences

GEOS2121/2921 Environment and Resource Management
Unit of Study Handbook – Semester 1 2023


'Conditional commitments': the diplomatic strategy that could make Australia do its fair share
on climate change (theconversation.com)

Lecturers:
Dr Rebecca Cross
(Unit of Study Coordinator)
r.cross@sydney.edu.au

Professor Phil McManus
phil.mcmanus@sydney.edu.au



Tutors:
Emma Koch
emma.koch@sydney.edu.au

Stephen Lound
stephen.lound@sydney.edu.au

Madeleine Miller
madeleine.miller@sydney.edu.au
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1. Introduction
We are in the midst of an unprecedented global environmental and climatological crisis. As a result, we
will need to transform our social, political, and economic systems. This crisis – its causes, its effects
and its solutions – are geographically unevenly distributed and situated. GEOS2121/2921 explores
environmental change, and the management of environmental change and natural resources, from a
geographical perspective. This means unravelling the political, economic, and social processes that are
formative of environmental and resource management. We will explore: 1) Complexity in environmental
and resource management; 2) an extended case study on managing carbon and climate change; and
3) alternative modes of governing environments through collaboration, integration and regeneration.
Concepts and principles are reinforced through case studies from your local area, throughout Australia
and around the world.

Advanced students enrolled in GEOS2921 will receive the same core lecture materials as for
GEOS2121 but will be required to complete an alternative written assessment.

1.1 Assumed knowledge
Pre-requisites for GEOS2121 are 24 credit points of 1000-level units of study, including 6 credit points
of GEOS1X01 or GEOS1X02 or ECOP1X01 or SIEN1000.

Pre-requisites for GEOS2921 are 24 credit points of 1000-level units of study, including a mark of 75 or
above in GEOS1X01 or GEOS1X02 or ECOP1X01 or SIEN1000. This requirement may be varied and
students should consult the unit of study coordinator.

Prohibitions for GEOS2121: GEOS2921
Prohibitions for GEOS2921: GEOS2121

2. Learning objectives and outcomes
In GEOS2121/2921 Environmental and Resource Management we aim to create an open and
accountable space for students to develop their ideas, knowledge, and critical thinking skills, while
learning about important topics and developing useful skills for their employment and life.

We have developed the following list of key learning outcomes and graduate qualities. Graduate
qualities are generic qualities identified by the University of Sydney to develop discipline specific
knowledge and critical thinking, problem solving, communication and teamwork skills. More information
about Graduate Qualities is available at:
https://intranet.sydney.edu.au/teaching-support/curriculum/graduate-qualities.html

You can use this list to monitor your own progress throughout the semester.

After successfully completing this unit, you should be able to:

Learning outcomes
LO1 Articulate different constructions of nature and key concepts in environmental thought, and how
these are socially and culturally specific
LO2 Demonstrate the social, political, economic constitution, and outcomes, of environmental
processes, change, and management
LO3 Identify the uneven distribution of environmental ‘goods’ and ‘bads’ and the reasons for this
outcome
LO4 Critically interrogate different environmental and resource management theories and practices
and outline their assumptions
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LO5 Describe key environmental and resource management challenges and their causes,
particularly climate change
LO6 Demonstrate skills in analysing and interpreting primary research data
LO7 Present analysis of an environmental or resource challenge in a Report (rather than essay)
LO8 Organise and communicate a coherent argument in written, oral and inter-personal forms
LO9 Demonstrate a sense of responsibility, and an ability to think critically and independently as a
future scientists and global citizen

Graduate qualities
GQ1 Depth of disciplinary expertise
GQ2 Critical thinking and problem solving
GQ3 Communication (oral and written)
GQ4 Information & digital literacy
GQ5 Inventiveness
GQ6 Cultural competence
GQ7 Interdisciplinary effectiveness
GQ8 Integrated professional, ethical and personal identity
GQ9 Influence

3. Class times
Lectures will be held face-to-face. If circumstances change, we will notify you via canvas
announcements so please keep abreast of these. Two 1 hour lectures are scheduled for:
• Tuesday 12:00-13:00 @ Chemistry Building. Chemistry Lecture Theatre 1 (F11.01.145)
• Wednesday 12:00-13:00 @ Chemistry Building. Chemistry Lecture Theatre 4 (F11.02.236)
If you are unable to attend in person or have enrolled as a remote student, you will be able to watch
recordings of the lectures in your own time, but we strongly recommend you develop a strong learning
routine, including engaging with the lecture material weekly.

Tutorials begin in Week 1 and finish in Week 12. Students are expected to attend their timetabled
tutorial each week. It is our goal that tutorials go ahead face to face as much as possible, but there are
two timetabled online Zoom tutorials for those who have enrolled as remote students. If the public
health situation dictates that we move all face-to-face tutorials to online Zoom tutorials, we will do that.
The on-campus, face-to-face tutorials will be held:
• Tuesday 13:00-14:00 F09.03.331. Madsen Building. Madsen Seminar Room 331 – MM
• Tuesday 14:00-15:00 F09.03.315. Madsen Building. Madsen Tutorial Room 315 – MM
• Tuesday 15:00-16:00 F09.03.315. Madsen Building. Madsen Tutorial Room 320 - EK
• Wednesday 13:00-14:00 F09.03.331. Madsen Building. Madsen Tutorial Room 315 - RC
• Thursday 13:00-14:00 F09.03.331. Madsen Building. Madsen Seminar Room 331 - SL
• Thursday 14:00-15:00 F09.03.315. Madsen Building. Madsen Tutorial Room 315 – SL

One remote tutorial for remote students only will both be held via zoom on Thursdays 15:00-16:00 (EK)

Tutorial participation is assessed. If participation in your tutorial is compromised – for instance, you
require an online tutorial but your internet is poor – please speak to your tutor and the UoS coordinator
to arrange alternative assessment. If, on occasion, you cannot attend at your regular time, please talk
to your tutor about attending another tutorial that week. At a minimum, students are expected to have
read the prescribed readings as listed below (only supplementary readings are optional) and come
prepared to discuss the readings in class. Tutorial readings are assessable in the exam.

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Practicals will be held in computer labs in weeks 10,11,12 ONLY. If, on occasion, you cannot attend at
your regular time, please talk to your tutor about attending another practical that week (although keep in
mind available computers are limited in each computer lab). Students in the online Zoom tutorial will be
given instructions on accessing the remote desktop to complete this task.
• Tuesday 16:00-18:00 H69.01.145. Business School Codrington Building. Computer Lab 145
(EK)
• Tuesday 16:00-18:00 H69.01.139. Business School Codrington Building. Computer Lab 139
(MM)
• Wednesday 15:00-17:00 H69.01.139. Business School Codrington Building. Computer Lab 139
(SL)
• Wednesday 15:00-17:00 H69.01.145. Business School Codrington Building. Computer Lab 145
(EK)
• Thursday 16:00-18:00 F09.03.300. Madsen Building. Computer Lab 300 (EK)
• Thursday 15:00-16:00 H69.01.139. Business School Codrington Building. Computer Lab 139
(SL)

The remote practical will be held via zoom on Thursday 13:00-15:00 for remote students only (MM).

In addition to the hours listening to lectures and attending tutorials, an additional six hours per week of
independent study is expected in order to pass the items of assessment. This independent fieldwork or
study will include reading and preparation for tutorials, the essay, the field trip and report, the practical
report and for exam revision.

4. Lecture and tutorial schedule
Listening to the lectures is required to pass this Unit of Study. The lecture material will be made
available on the Canvas site, including video recordings, lecture slides, revision questions, and
additional links/readings. The Canvas site will indicate which lectures are live and which are pre-
recorded. The lecture schedule is as follows:

Week Date Lecture
mode
Topic Lecturer Tutorial Practical Assessment
Due
Module 1: Complexity in environmental and resource management
Week
1
Tuesday
21st
February
In person
and live on
zoom
Introduction to the
unit: How do we
integrate the
environmental,
social, economic,
and political?

RC Y N
Wednesday
22nd
February
What is nature?

RC
Week
2
Tuesday
28th
February
Indigenous and
local environmental
knowledges and
management

RC Y

N


Wednesday
1st March
What is natural
resource
RC
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management?
Protection versus
sustainable use

Week
3
Tuesday 7th
March
What is natural
resource
management?
Policy and practice
in Australia

RC Y N
Wednesday
8th March
What is natural
resource
management?
Agriculture and
NRM

RC
Week
4
Tuesday
14th March
Capitalism and the
environment:
Opportunities,
contradictions and
limits

PM Y N
Wednesday
15th March
Capitalism and the
environment:
Ecosystem
services and
offsetting

PM
Week
5
Tuesday
21st March
Bodies:
Environmental and
social justice

RC Y N GEOS2121
Essay due
(Friday 24th
March
midnight) Wednesday
22nd March
Bodies: Population
and scarcity

PM
Module 2: Managing carbon and climate change
Week
6
Tuesday
28th March
Introduction to
fieldtrip

RC Y N
Wednesday
29th March
No class: Conduct
fieldtrip

RC
Week
7
Tuesday 4th
April
Unpacking the
international
climate regime

RC Y N GEOS2921
Essay due
(Thursday
6th April
midnight) Wednesday
5th April
Carbon markets
and carbon farming


RC
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Mid semester break (10th April-14th April)
Week
8
Tuesday
18th April
Oil, coal and the
petro-state: Can we
live with(out) them?

PM Y N
Wednesday
19th April
Energy and
renewables: Can
we engineer a
sustainable grid for
all?

PM
Week
9
Tuesday
25th April
ANZAC day
– lecture
prerecorded.
Climate change,
disasters and
development

PM Y N Fieldtrip
Report due
(midnight
Friday 28th
April) Wednesday
26th April
Managing
environmental risk
PM
Module 3: Alternative practices for saving the world: Regeneration and Intergration
Week
10
Tuesday
2nd May
Commons and
commoning:
Practicing
collective action for
collective good

RC Y Y
Wednesday
3rd May
Rights for nature
and rights for
humans

RC
Week
11
Tuesday 9th
May
Caring for Country
and Indigenous
enterprise
development

RC Y Y
Wednesday
10th May
Native grains Guest
lecture
Week
12
Tuesday
16th May
The regenerative
agricultural
revolution

RC Y Y
Wednesday
17th May
Nature based
approaches to
sustainable and
resilient
development

RC
Week
13
Tuesday
23rd May
Indigenous
Agriculture

Guest
lecture
N N Prac Report
due
(midnight
Friday 26th
May)
Wednesday
24th May
Conclusion and
exam preparation
RC
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Tutorial readings are as follows:

Week 1: Introduction (week 1 tutorial reading not required)
Ducarme, F., Flipo, F. and Couvet, D. (2021) How the diversity of human concepts of nature affects
conservation of biodiversity, Conservation Biology, 35(3): 1019-1028

Supplementary reading:
Demeritt, D. (2002) ‘What is the ‘social construction of nature’? A typology and sympathetic critique’,
Progress in Human Geography, 26(6): 767-790

Week 2: Natural resource management and Indigenous and local peoples
Goolmeer, T., Skroblin, A. and Wintle, B.A. (2022) Getting our Act together to improve Indigenous
leadership and recognition in biodiversity management. Ecological Management & Restoration, 23: 33-
42

Supplementary reading:
Clark, D. & Joe-Strack, J. (2018) Keeping the ‘co’ in the co-management of northern resources
Northern Public Affairs http://www.northernpublicaffairs.ca/index/volume-5-issue-1/keeping-the-co-in-
the-co-management-of-northern-resources/
Langton M, Palmer L and Rhea ZM (2014) Community-oriented protected areas for indigenous peoples
and local communities: Indigenous Protected Areas in Australia in Stevens (ed.) Indigenous peoples,
national parks, and protected areas: A new paradigm linking conservation, culture, and rights,
University of Arizona Press, USA

Week 3: Natural resource management governance
Lockwood, M. and Davidson, J. (2010) Environmental governance and the hybrid regime of Australian
natural resource management, Geoforum, 41(3): 388-398

Supplementary reading:
Robins, L. (2018) More than 30 years of ‘Landcare’ in Australia: five phases of development from
‘childhood’ to ‘mid-life’ (crisis or renewal?), Australasian Journal of Environmental Management, 25:4,
385-397

Week 4: Capitalism and the environment
Feola, G. (2020) Capitalism in sustainability transitions research: Time for a critical
turn? Environmental Innovation and Societal Transitions 35: 241-250

Supplementary reading for the super keen:
Cahen-Fourot, L (2020) Contemporary capitalisms and their social relation to the environment.
Ecological Economics https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecolecon.2020.106634: 1-17.
Daly H (2005) ‘Economics in a full world’ Scientific American 293(3): 100-107.
Monbiot G (2018) ‘The UK government wants to put a price on nature – but that will destroy it’ The
Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/may/15/price-natural-world-destruction-
natural-capital
Monbiot G (2012) ‘Biodiversity offsetting will unleash a new spirit of destruction on the land’ The
Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/environment/georgemonbiot/2012/dec/07/biodiversity-offsetting-
unleash-wildlife-destruction



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Week 5: Bodies
Schlosberg D (2004) Reconceiving Environmental Justice: Global Movements and Political Theories
Environmental Politics 13(3): 517-540

Supplementary reading:
Pellow, D.N. (2016) Toward a critical environmental justice studies: Black Lives Matter as an
environmental justice challenge, Du Bois Review: Social Science Research on Race, 13(2): 221-236

Week 6: Field class
See Canvas for details

Week 7: Carbon markets
Langley, P., Bridge, G., Bulkeley, H. and van Veelen, B., 2021. Decarbonizing capital: Investment,
divestment and the qualification of carbon assets, Economy and Society, 50(3): 494-516

Supplementary reading;
Christophers, B. (2021) The End of Carbon Capitalism (as We Knew It), Critical Historical Studies, 8(2):
239-269
Pearse, R and Böhm, S (2014) ‘Ten reasons why carbon markets will not bring about radical emissions
reduction’, Carbon Management, 5(4): 325-337

Week 8: Renewables
Ison N and Langham E (2015) Communities are taking renewable power into their own hands The
Conversation https://theconversation.com/communities-are-taking-renewable-power-into-their-own-
hands-42480
Gauthier P (2018) ‘The limits of renewable energy and the case for degrowth’ Resilience
https://www.resilience.org/stories/2018-11-21/the-limits-of-renewable-energy-and-the-case-for-
degrowth/
Blakers A (2019) ‘An Australian model for the renewable energy transition’ The Interpreter
https://www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpreter/australian-model-renewable-energy-transition

Week 9: Climate justice
Smiles, T. and Edwards, G.A.S. (2021) How does Extinction Rebellion engage with climate justice? A
case study of XR Norwich, Local Environment, 26(12): 1445-1460

Supplementary reading:
Bailey I (2017) ‘Spatializing climate justice: justice claim making and carbon pricing controversies in
Australia’, Annals of the American Association of Geographers, 107(5): 1128-1143

Week 10: Rights for nature
O'Donnell, E., Poelina, A., Pelizzon, A. and Clark, C. (2020) Stop burying the Lede: The essential role
of indigenous law (s) in creating rights of nature, Transnational Environmental Law, 9(3): 403-427

Week 11: Indigenous enterprise
Rooke D (2019) Growth Industry https://www.killyourdarlings.com.au/article/native-foods-and-white-
australia/

Supplementary reading:
Tynan, L. (2021) What is relationality? Indigenous knowledges, practices and responsibilities with kin.
Cultural Geographies, 28(4): 597-610
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Week 12: Agroecology and regenerative agriculture
Altieri M, Nicholls C and Montalba R (2017) ‘Technological approaches to sustainable agriculture at a
crossroads: an agroecological perspective’, Sustainability, 9(3): 349

Week 13: Exam review



5. Assessment
You are responsible for understanding the University policy regarding assessment and examination,
which can be found at http://sydney.edu.au/policies. Assessment in this unit are both formative
(providing you with feedback on your scholarly progress) and summative (to be used to determine final
grades).

Final grades in this unit are awarded at levels of HD (High Distinction), D (Distinction), CR (Credit), P
(Pass) and F (Fail) as defined by the Assessment Policy 2011 (Schedule 1).

The general marking criteria are as follows:
High Distinction
(HD)
At HD level, a student demonstrates a flair for the subject and comprehensive
knowledge and understanding of the unit material. A ‘High Distinction’ reflects
exceptional achievement and is awarded to a student who demonstrates the ability
to apply subject knowledge to novel situations.
Distinction (D) At D level, a student demonstrates an aptitude for the subject and a solid
knowledge and understanding of the unit material. A ‘Distinction’ reflects excellent
achievement and is awarded to a student who demonstrates an ability to apply the
key ideas of the subject.
Credit (CR) At CR level, a student demonstrates a good command and knowledge of the unit
material. A ‘Credit’ reflects solid achievement and is awarded to a student who has
a broad understanding of the unit material but has not fully developed the ability to
apply the key ideas of the subject.
Pass (P) At P level, a student demonstrates proficiency in the unit material. A ‘Pass’ reflects
satisfactory achievement and is awarded to a student who has threshold
knowledge of the subject.
Fail (F) At F level, a student does not demonstrate proficiency in the unit material. A ‘fail’
reflects unsatisfactory achievement and is given to a study who does not have
threshold knowledge of the subject.

You are responsible for handing in written work on time and attending exams when they are scheduled.
Being unaware of due dates and exam dates is NOT a valid excuse for late submission or non-
attendance. Late penalties will accrue at 5% per day (weekends and holidays included). Assignments
that are more than 10 days late will not be accepted. Failure to complete a piece of assessment may
result in an Absent Fail grade.

Assessed exercises may not be revised and resubmitted for re-marking. If you wish to appeal an
academic decision, you should refer to the University Policy at http://sydney.edu.au/policies.



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5.1 Assessment tasks
Assessment in GEOS2121 is comprised of the following:

Assessment task Due date % of final mark
1. Essay Friday 24th March, 11:59pm 25%
2. Fieldtrip report Friday 28th April, 11:59pm 25%
3. Participation and co-
facilitation (tutorials)
Ongoing 10%
4. Practical report Friday 26th May, 11:59pm 10%
5. Final exam TBA 30%

Assessment in GEOS2921 is comprised of the following:
Assessment task Due date % of final mark
1. Individual project
(details to be provided in
separate handout)
Thursday 6th April, 11:59pm 25%
2. Fieldtrip report Friday 28th April, 11:59pm 25%
3. Participation and
facilitation (tutorials)
Ongoing 10%
4. Practical report Friday 26th May, 11:59pm 10%
5. Final exam TBA 30%

5.1.1 Assessment task 1: Essay (GEOS2121 only)
Due date: Friday 24th March, 11:59pm
Word length: 2000 words (excluding references)
Percentage of final mark: 25%
Submission: Canvas (please submit to the Turnitin folder that corresponds to the essay question you
answered). Please anonymise your essay but include your Student ID Number.

The purpose of this assessment task is to develop advanced skills in: written expression; presenting an
articulate written argument; supporting that argument with evidence (examples, data, references);
researching the academic literature on a particular topic; and relating theoretical concepts with real-
world problems.

Your essay must be a formal piece of analytical, academic writing. It should have a clear structure,
including an introduction and conclusion, and present an argument that responds to the essay question.
Use a recognised referencing system, consistently. You will be assessed on your argument, your
engagement with the key concepts, the use of evidence to support your argument, your written
expression, and your referencing. Please ensure you engage with the suggested references listed
below.

Answer one of the following three essay questions:

1. Are humans shaped by natural processes or is nature itself socially constructed? Argue your
case considering ideas such as environmental determinism, the social construction of nature
and the social production of nature.

The following references will be useful:
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• Castree, N. and Braun, B. (2001) Social nature: Theory, practice, and politics, Blackwell
Publishers
• Demeritt, D. (2002) ‘What is the ‘social construction of nature’? A typology and
sympathetic critique’, Progress in human geography, 26(6): 767-790
• The following entries in the Elsevier International Encyclopaedia of Human Geography:
‘Culture/Natures’; ‘Determinism/Environmental Determinism’; ‘Natures, Gendered’;
‘Natures, Postcolonial’; ‘Nature, Social’.

2. Indigenous knowledges and land management practices are inherently incompatible with
natural resource management regimes. Argue your case for or against this statement, making
reference to Australian natural resource governance, management and practice and Aboriginal
and Torres Strait Islander environmental knowledges, management and understandings of
Country.

The following references will be useful:
• Gratani M, Bohensky EL, Butler JR, Sutton SG and Foale S (2014) ‘Experts' perspectives
on the integration of indigenous knowledge and science in Wet Tropics natural resource
management’, Australian Geographer, 45(2): 167-184
• Lin PSS and Liu YL (2016) ‘Niching sustainability in an Indigenous community: protected
areas, autonomous initiatives, and negotiating power in natural resource management’,
Sustainability Science, 11(1): 103-113
• Tynan, L. (2021) What is relationality? Indigenous knowledges, practices and
responsibilities with kin, Cultural Geographies, 28(4): 597-610

3. Is capitalism the solution to the environment and resource management crisis? Argue your
case by considering ideas such as the first and second contradiction of capitalism, crises of
capitalism, and uneven development.

The following references will be useful:
• Foster JB (2002) ‘II. Capitalism and ecology: The nature of the contradiction’, Monthly
Review, 54(4): 6-16
• Moore, J.W. (2017) The Capitalocene, Part I: on the nature and origins of our ecological
crisis, The Journal of peasant studies, 44(3): 594-630
• Robbins P, Hintz J, Moore S (2014) ‘Political Economy’ in Robbins P, Hintz J, Moore S
(eds) Environment and Society: A Critical Introduction

5.1.2 Assessment task 2: Fieldtrip report
Due date: Friday 28th April, 11:59pm
Word length: 1500 words (excluding references et al.)
Percentage of final mark: 25%
Submission: Canvas. Please anonymise your report but include your Student ID Number.

You will conduct a self-guided fieldtrip in your Local Government Area (LGA) to identify and explore key
environmental issues in the context of climate change impacts and adaptation in your local area. We
want you to investigate and gather evidence to explore how key environmental issues – including
habitat retainment, biodiversity protection, soil quality improvement, pollution abatement, water
management and importantly, climate change impacts and adaptation, are evident in your local
landscape. We recommend you concentrate on one or two of these key environmental areas, tailored
to the specific area you are exploring. You will need to present your evidence in the context of your
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local geography, linking issues to climate projections, city/regional environmental plans, and critiquing
initiatives using academic literature.

Following the self-guided fieldtrip, you are required to write a 1,500 word report (including an executive
summary, table of contents, numbered headings and sub-headings, page numbers, reference list and
appendices where necessary). The executive summary, tables and figures, your reference list and
appendices are not counted in the word limit. You will also be required to produce a map of
photographic evidence using at least 10 plates.

Further detail will be provided in class and online.

5.1.3 Assessment task 3: Participation
Due date: Throughout semester
Percentage of final mark: 10%

Attendance and participation in lectures and tutorials are expected in this unit. You will be able to
assess your own participation through a series of quizzes and exam-style questions during the tutorials
and posted on the Canvas page. These will be designed for you to assess your progress in the Unit
and provide feedback on your learning. The quizzes and questions will not count towards your final
grade.

Participation will be assessed during the tutorials (weeks 1-12). You are expected to prepare for
tutorials by carefully reading and considering the required readings that are listed above (primary
readings are expected, supplementary readings are optional). The readings will be provided
electronically through the Canvas website. Attendance will account for 5 marks in total, with 0.5 marks
deducted for each session not attended. Failure to attend at least 9 of the 12 tutorials without an
approved Special Consideration application may result in an Absent Fail grade. If you are unable to
participate in your tutorial, please contact your tutor and UoS coordinator to discuss alternative
assessments. Participation in tutorials will account for 5 marks in total, and will be assessed as follows:

0 marks Shows no interest in the class (i.e., patchy attendance, sits in class, says nothing, and
does not provide any evidence of having done the reading).
1 mark Participates in some discussions, shows some evidence of having done the reading.
2-3 marks Displays more active engagement in discussions.
4 marks Regular contributor with high-level interpretive contributions and thorough evidence of
having thought about the reading.
5 marks Student ‘shines out’ because of innovative, high quality contributions and leadership in
the group.


5.1.4 Assessment task 4: Practical Report
Due date: Friday 26th May, 11:59pm
Word length: 500 words plus maps (excluding references)
Percentage of final mark: 10%
Submission: Canvas. Please anonymise your report but include your Student ID Number.

Practicals in weeks 10,11 and 12 will be held in computer labs. During these sessions, you will be
using ArcGIS Pro to generate maps and produce a short report.

Further detail and instructions will be provided on canvas.
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5.1.5 Assessment task 5: Final exam
Date: TBA (during exam period).
Length: 2 hours
Percentage of final mark: 30%

The exam will include both short answer questions and an essay component that will assess your
knowledge and understanding of key concepts introduced in the unit of study. For the short answer
questions, you will be graded based on 'what you know' and on your ability to clearly communicate your
understanding. For the essay component of the exam, you will be assessed on your knowledge, ability
to construct an argument, clarity of language and originality. The exam could cover any material
presented during the lectures and through the required readings.

5.2 Special consideration
While studying at the University of Sydney, a student may need to apply for special consideration or
arrangements.

Special consideration may be granted where well-documented illness, injury or misadventure occurs to
the student (or someone the student has carer’s responsibility for) during semester or the exam period.

If you are affected by long-term circumstances, such as a recurring medical condition, we encourage
you to register with Inclusion and Disability Services. By registering you will gain access to the
adjustments and services to support you to succeed in your studies.

Alternatively, if you experience an exacerbation of your condition and feel your circumstances would
affect your performance for the majority of the semester, you may wish to consider Discontinuing a unit
of study.

Special arrangements may be granted for certain personal circumstances, or for essential community
commitments, elite sporting or cultural commitments, or Australian Defence Force or Emergency
Service commitments.

All request for extension of time on an assessment must be made by applying for Special Consideration
– including Simple Extensions. Applications must be made using the University’s formal online
application process no later than three working days after the assessment occurrence or due date
(unless a reasonable explanation for a delay is provided). Further information is available at
https://sydney.edu.au/students/special-consideration.html

6. Study tips
The University has developed some resources to aid your online learning. Please consult links and
website embedded in the following Canvas page.
• https://www.sydney.edu.au/study/why-choose-sydney/student-life/student-
news/2020/06/18/6-tips-to-help-you-study-successfully-online.html

During your studies at University, you will be required to undertake various types of assessment,
including essays, reports, posters, presentations, quizzes, dissertations and exams. These tasks help
you to develop your writing and communication skills, which are an important outcome of your studies
at University, because:
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• Writing aids the learning process, through engaging you in thinking about what it is you are
trying to understand, solve, explain, investigate or prove. Your learning can be assessed
through your writing, which provides evidence of your level of understanding of the problem,
concept or topic and your skill at being able to convey this.
• Communication skills are essential in the workplace and employers consider your ability to
communicate ideas clearly, precisely and persuasively very valuable.
For these reasons, you should approach every writing task as an opportunity to learn more deeply, to
demonstrate your understanding and problem-solving skills to your lecturers and to develop effective
writing skills to carry with you throughout your career.

Always remember that good writing and a clear, well-thought out argument, often go hand-in-hand.
Because good writing depends on clarity of thought and argument, it is difficult. Lecturers and tutors
grade essays on the basis of the clarity of your ability to express ideas, findings and arguments. In this
unit of study, it is often the case that there is a not a single ‘correct’ answer to a question. You will often
be graded on the basis of how well you construct an argument. This involves setting up (or responding
to) a specific question; citing appropriate evidence (that either you have collected or you are citing
through other sources); and drawing relevant conclusions.

You are in control of your own study strategy, and as an adult learner it is up to you to devise a study
plan that best suits you. Many resources are available to assist your learning.

The WriteSite (http://writesite.elearn.usyd.edu.au/) provides online support on writing skills, including:
grammar; evaluating, citing and referencing sources; and planning, structuring and writing an essay.

To find out more about how to develop better study habits, you can consult:
• Hay, I. et al (2006) Making the grade: a guide to successful communication and study. 3rd
Edition, Oxford University Press, Melbourne.
• Knight, P.G. and Parsons, T. (2003). How to do your essays, exams & coursework in
geography and related disciplines. Nelson Thornes, Cheltenham, England.
• Northey, M., D. Draper and D. B. Knight (2015). Making sense: a student's guide to research
and writing: geography & environmental sciences. 6th Edition. Oxford University Press,
Canada

7. Academic honesty
The role of the University of Sydney is to create, preserve, transmit and apply knowledge through
teaching, research, creative works and other forms of scholarship. A commitment to academic
excellence and high standards of ethical behaviour is essential in this undertaking. As such, the
University requires all students to act honestly, ethically and with integrity in their dealings with the
University, its employees, members of the public and other students.

In 2015, a new policy covering the issue of student plagiarism in coursework Units of Study offered by
the University was introduced – this was recently updated in 2022. The policy defines Academic
Dishonesty as “seeking to obtain or obtaining academic advantage (including in the Assessment or
publication of Work) by dishonest or unfair means”. Plagiarism is a form of Academic Dishonesty that
involves “presenting another person’s work as one’s own work by presenting, copying or reproducing it
without acknowledgement of the source”. The policy also sets out how the University will respond to
instances of Academic Dishonesty and Plagiarism.

For more information, consult the following website: https://sydney.edu.au/students/academic-
integrity.html

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