To a large extent, policies drive environmental outcomes. Accordingly, we need to develop ways to consider how policies create and deal with pressing environmental issues as well as mechanisms to force actions in order to improve outcomes. This course provides students with an understanding of the theory and practice of key Environmental Assessment (EA) approaches that are the principle means of integrating environmental considerations into governmental decision-making. Course participants study how EAs have evolved since the 1960s to become important strategies for institutionalizing environmental reform, the role of public participation and science in environmental decision-making, and how political, social and economic dynamics affect decisions. Drawing upon involvement by industry, state and civil society practitioners, participants will learn to apply the basic principles of environmental assessment to critically assess development proposals, develop public consultation strategies, evaluate monitoring and mitigation in environmental management plans. Following recent shifts to approaches informed by ecological modernization and new environmental policy instruments, participants will also consider the processes of categorizing social and environmental impacts, of carrying out assessments, and of setting out minimum management standards, have been extended beyond the conventional EA processes to environmental management systems and standard and market- based regulation. |
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:
- Demonstrate a sound understanding of the theoretical principles and conceptual development of Environmental Assessment.
- Demonstrate an appreciation of tools and processes for, and practice of, environmental assessment and management;
- Demonstrate skills in assessing development projects, policies and program documents;
- Drawing on key social science readings, analyze and evaluate environmental problems and policy problems affecting EA practices.
- Evaluate the role, strengths and limitations of various assessment tools among a suite of policy approaches used in environmental decision making.
- Demonstrate understanding of how complex socio-political and economic contexts affect environmental decision making
- Identify, assess and articulate how social relationships and political contexts affect how assessment practices function, especially in shaping the trade-offs that occur between competing interests during assessment processes.
Other Information
Students will learn to apply the basic principles of environmental assessment to critically assess development proposals, develop public consultation strategies, and evaluate monitoring and mitigation in environmental management plans, and consider how Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) principles might be built into decision making. |
Indicative Assessment
- 3 reaction papers based on an assigned reading (3 reaction papers of 300 words each times, worth 5% each = 15%); (15) [LO 1,2,3,4,5,6,7]
- Seminar oral presentation (10) [LO 1,2,3,4,5,6,7]
- Assignment 1: Short essay on contemporary EIA policy (2,000 words) (35) [LO 1,2,3,4,5,6,7]
- Assignment 2: Preparation of a Preliminary Environmental Assessment for a real world project (2,500 words, 40%). (40) [LO 1,2,3,4,5,6,7]
The ANU uses Turnitin to enhance student citation and referencing techniques, and to assess assignment submissions as a component of the University's approach to managing Academic Integrity. While the use of Turnitin is not mandatory, the ANU highly recommends Turnitin is used by both teaching staff and students. For additional information regarding Turnitin please visit the ANU Online website.
Workload
Contact hours 3 hours per week; study and assignment preparation 5 hours per week.
Inherent Requirements
Not applicable
Prescribed Texts
None specified
Fees
Tuition fees are for the academic year indicated at the top of the page.
Commonwealth Support (CSP) Students
If you have been offered a Commonwealth supported place, your fees are set by the Australian Government for each course. At ANU 1 EFTSL is 48 units (normally 8 x 6-unit courses). More information about your student contribution amount for each course at Fees.
- Student Contribution Band:
- 2
- Unit value:
- 6 units
If you are a domestic graduate coursework student with a Domestic Tuition Fee (DTF) place or international student you will be required to pay course tuition fees (see below). Course tuition fees are indexed annually. Further information for domestic and international students about tuition and other fees can be found at Fees.
Where there is a unit range displayed for this course, not all unit options below may be available.
| Units | EFTSL |
|---|---|
| 6.00 | 0.12500 |
Course fees
- Domestic fee paying students
| Year | Fee |
|---|---|
| 2023 | $4560 |
- International fee paying students
| Year | Fee |
|---|---|
| 2023 | $6180 |
Offerings, Dates and Class Summary Links
ANU utilises MyTimetable to enable students to view the timetable for their enrolled courses, browse, then self-allocate to small teaching activities / tutorials so they can better plan their time. Find out more on the Timetable webpage.
Class summaries, if available, can be accessed by clicking on the View link for the relevant class number.