The need to pursue environmental sustainability, address poverty alleviation and bring about social justice leads to calls for ambitious societal transformations. Few aspects of knowledge for sustainability are more crucial than those concerning the strategies and processes required to drive required change. This course equips students with the skills and expertise to conceptualise and evaluate reform strategies promoting socio-environmental transformations. It introduces students to different conceptualisations of transformation – social-ecological, structural and enabling frameworks – and outlines practical principles for effective research and action towards sustainability. Students learn to connect critical conceptual (theoretical) readings with practical examples, explore how environmental issues arise in different contexts, and consider openings for intervention through cases where these approaches are applied. Students also explore particular environmental problems in small groups and develop an analysis of a specific problem of their choosing, assessing opportunities and constraints facing different strategies to address the issue. In each section of the course, students will consider the advantages and disadvantages of each conceptual approach to transformations, considering how the approaches might be combined to drive socio-environmental transformations.

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:

1. Explain critical theoretical social science frameworks for examining environmental and development issues. 
2. Compare and assess the comparative value and usefulness of different conceptual approaches from policy sciences, political ecology, socio-ecological systems and other knowledge areas for understanding critical socio-environmental issues.
3. Use critical theoretical and applied approaches as an analytical lens to interpret and draw insights from socio-environmental change and its ramifications.
4. Be able to convincingly define a socio-environmental problem, investigate a range of possible alternative solutions to that problem, and construct a persuasive argument about the best approach to addressing that problem, drawing on relevant scholarly literature on the topic
5. Develop the skills to do this effectively, working with other students in analysing issues, producing a well-written report on it and successfully communicating this work to an audience of students in an oral presentation.
6. Employ these frameworks, combining these conceptual models to evaluate reform strategies for socio-environmental transformation.

Research-Led Teaching

This course draws on research by the two lecturers concerning possible pathways to environmental sustainability, poverty alleviation and social justice. It introduces students to key concepts and critical approaches used to analyse environmental problems, devise interventions, and pursue transformations. Each week, we will connect theory with practical examples. It is based on years of research on ecosystem management, institutional change, development and transformation in the Australia and the Asia-Pacific region.

Recommended Resources

Leach, M, I Scoones, P Newell (2015) The Politics of Green Transformations Routledge. (ebook on the web)

Ely, A (2021) Transformative Pathways to Sustainability: Learning Across Disciplines, Cultures and Contexts Routledge

Staff Feedback

Students will be given feedback in the following forms in this course:

• Written comments
• Verbal comments
• Feedback to the whole class, to groups, to individuals, focus groups

Student Feedback

ANU is committed to the demonstration of educational excellence and regularly seeks feedback from students. Students are encouraged to offer feedback directly to their Course Convener or through their College and Course representatives (if applicable). The feedback given in these surveys is anonymous and provides the Colleges, University Education Committee and Academic Board with opportunities to recognise excellent teaching, and opportunities for improvement. The Surveys and Evaluation website provides more information on student surveys at ANU and reports on the feedback provided on ANU courses.

Other Information

CRAWFORD ACADEMIC SKILLS

The Crawford School of Public Policy has its own Academic Skills team dedicated to helping students to understand the academic expectations of studying at Crawford and succeed in their chosen program of study. Through individual appointments, course-embedded workshops and online resources, Crawford Academic Skills provides tailored advice to students keen to develop their academic reading, thinking, planning, writing, and presentation skills.

Class Schedule

Week/Session	Summary of Activities	Assessment
1	Introduction to Transformations to Sustainability	This week students will consider some of the foundational questions for exploring the complex and multifaceted topic of sustainability transformations, including: What is sustainability and what are the key challenges to sustainability? Why are environmental problems so political?
2	Transformations to Sustainability: Structural, Systemic, and Enabling Approaches	How might we pursue transformational change in the relations between state, society and natural resources?
3	Structural Approaches to Transformation: Political Economy Analysis	How do structural approaches view transformation, and how can Political Economy Analysis (PEA) be used to formulate interventions to address environmental problems?
4	Applying Political Economy Analysis	How can we apply the steps of PEA to a concrete case study to appraise possibilities for transformation?
5	Socio-Ecological Systems and Resilience Theory	How does systems thinking approach complexity and how is the approach used to consider transformations in Socio-Ecological Systems?
6	Practical system tools for transformation	How can the Resilience, Adaptation Pathways and Transformation (RAPTA) approach complement Political Economy Analysis in formulating interventions?
7	Enabling approaches to transformation: T-Labs and transformative spaces	What are enabling approaches to transformation, and how can 'T-Labs' and transformative spaces be used to address environmental problems?
8	Enabling approaches: Creating conditions for more inclusive and empowering processes of change	How does the enabling approach apply to a transformation case?
9	Imagining viable alternative futures	What are some of the main ways of thinking about alternatives to the current situation? How do they imagine a shift from the dominant paradigm of capitalist growth and market economies towards more inclusive, equitable, and environmentally conscious approaches?
10	Connecting the dots: Pluralising and politicising transformations	What are the common threads in efforts to transform the relations between state, society and natural resources?
11	Week 11 & 12. Student Presentations	Make a work in progress presentation of your political economy analysis of an environmental issue/problem of your choosing.

Tutorial Registration

See link to MS Teams in the Wattle site.

Assessment Summary

Assessment task	Value	Due Date	Return of assessment	Learning Outcomes
Reading Response	5 %	18/08/2024	30/08/2024	1,2
Seminar contribution	10 %	*	01/12/2024	1,2
Essay 1: Survey of political economy approach	35 %	30/08/2024	13/09/2024	1,2,3
Essay 2: Political economy and transformation case study	50 %	03/11/2024	01/12/2024	1,2,3,4,5,6

* If the Due Date and Return of Assessment date are blank, see the Assessment Tab for specific Assessment Task details

Policies

ANU has educational policies, procedures and guidelines, which are designed to ensure that staff and students are aware of the University’s academic standards, and implement them. Students are expected to have read the Academic Misconduct Rule before the commencement of their course. Other key policies and guidelines include:

• Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure
• Special Assessment Consideration Policy and General Information
• Student Surveys and Evaluations
• Deferred Examinations
• Student Complaint Resolution Policy and Procedure

Assessment Requirements

The ANU is using 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. For additional information regarding Turnitin please visit the ANU Online website Students may choose not to submit assessment items through Turnitin. In this instance you will be required to submit, alongside the assessment item itself, hard copies of all references included in the assessment item.

Moderation of Assessment

Marks that are allocated during Semester are to be considered provisional until formalised by the College examiners meeting at the end of each Semester. If appropriate, some moderation of marks might be applied prior to final results being released.

Participation

Students are encouraged to participate through engaging in workshop discussions and providing feedback on their classmate's presentations.

Examination(s)

No examination

Assessment Task 1

Reading Response

Students need to respond to questions posed during the first weeks of the course. The activity is designed to ensure student engagement with the week’s readings —approximately 500 words. Students must submit this in class. Feedback on a reading response will be provided during the first half of the semester. The ANU College of Asia and the Pacific’s Word Length and Excess Word Penalty Guidelines applies to this assessment item and can be found here.

Assessment Task 2

Seminar contribution

Students choose a week and act as a resource person for that week, presenting key ideas in class and helping with the class discussion. Your participation in helping facilitate the learning for a particular week of your choice helps you prepare for assessments. This activity helps you build your expertise and contributes to the quality of student discussion and learning across the course. Your in-class presentation will be assessed, and you will also submit a 1000-word thought piece to Wattle by the next Thursday. Further details will be provided in wattle. The ANU College of Asia and the Pacific’s Word Length and Excess Word Penalty Guidelines applies to this assessment item and can be found here.

Assessment Task 3

Essay 1: Survey of political economy approach

Write a 1500 word essay regarding the political economy approach to transformation. The essay aims to develop your understanding of the key literature and your ability to comprehend critical arguments and communicate them clearly and begin to develop your analytical skills and mastery of essential concepts. The ANU College of Asia and the Pacific’s Word Length and Excess Word Penalty Guidelines applies to this assessment item and can be found here.

Assessment Task 4

Essay 2: Political economy and transformation case study

Write a 2,500 word essay on an environmental issue (water, forests, fishery, mining, or land issue) identifying the drivers of the problem and proposing or critically analyzing an intervention intended to contribute to transformation, using a political economy analysis. The ANU College of Asia and the Pacific’s Word Length and Excess Word Penalty Guidelines applies to this assessment item and can be found here.

Present a brief 'work in progress' presentation (3 slides) of your case and key arguments for Essay 2. This presentation allows you to gain feedback and ask questions as you develop your final essay. Presentations are 5 mins long and will be held in weeks 11 and 12.

Essay Due: 11.55 pm on 3rd November

Academic Integrity

Academic integrity is a core part of our culture as a community of scholars. At its heart, academic integrity is about behaving ethically. This means that all members of the community commit to honest and responsible scholarly practice and to upholding these values with respect and fairness. The Australian National University commits to embedding the values of academic integrity in our teaching and learning. We ensure that all members of our community understand how to engage in academic work in ways that are consistent with, and actively support academic integrity. The ANU expects staff and students to uphold high standards of academic integrity and act ethically and honestly, to ensure the quality and value of the qualification that you will graduate with. The University has policies and procedures in place to promote academic integrity and manage academic misconduct. Visit the following Academic honesty & plagiarism website for more information about academic integrity and what the ANU considers academic misconduct. The ANU offers a number of services to assist students with their assignments, examinations, and other learning activities. The Academic Skills and Learning Centre offers a number of workshops and seminars that you may find useful for your studies.

Online Submission

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.

Hardcopy Submission

For some forms of assessment (hand written assignments, art works, laboratory notes, etc.) hard copy submission is appropriate when approved by the Associate Dean (Education). Hard copy submissions must utilise the Assignment Cover Sheet. Please keep a copy of tasks completed for your records.

Late Submission

Late submission of assessment tasks without an extension are penalised at the rate of 5% of the possible marks available per working day or part thereof. Late submission of assessment tasks is not accepted after 10 working days after the due date, or on or after the date specified in the course outline for the return of the assessment item. Late submission is not accepted for take-home examinations.

Referencing Requirements

Accepted academic practice for referencing sources that you use in presentations can be found via the links on the Wattle site, under the file named “ANU and College Policies, Program Information, Student Support Services and Assessment”. Alternatively, you can seek help through the Students Learning Development website.

Extensions and Penalties

Extensions and late submission of assessment pieces are covered by the Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure The Course Convener may grant extensions for assessment pieces that are not examinations or take-home examinations. If you need an extension, you must request an extension in writing on or before the due date. If you have documented and appropriate medical evidence that demonstrates you were not able to request an extension on or before the due date, you may be able to request it after the due date.

Privacy Notice

The ANU has made a number of third party, online, databases available for students to use. Use of each online database is conditional on student end users first agreeing to the database licensor’s terms of service and/or privacy policy. Students should read these carefully. In some cases student end users will be required to register an account with the database licensor and submit personal information, including their: first name; last name; ANU email address; and other information. In cases where student end users are asked to submit ‘content’ to a database, such as an assignment or short answers, the database licensor may only use the student’s ‘content’ in accordance with the terms of service — including any (copyright) licence the student grants to the database licensor. Any personal information or content a student submits may be stored by the licensor, potentially offshore, and will be used to process the database service in accordance with the licensors terms of service and/or privacy policy. If any student chooses not to agree to the database licensor’s terms of service or privacy policy, the student will not be able to access and use the database. In these circumstances students should contact their lecturer to enquire about alternative arrangements that are available.

Distribution of grades policy

Academic Quality Assurance Committee monitors the performance of students, including attrition, further study and employment rates and grade distribution, and College reports on quality assurance processes for assessment activities, including alignment with national and international disciplinary and interdisciplinary standards, as well as qualification type learning outcomes. Since first semester 1994, ANU uses a grading scale for all courses. This grading scale is used by all academic areas of the University.

Support for students

The University offers students support through several different services. You may contact the services listed below directly or seek advice from your Course Convener, Student Administrators, or your College and Course representatives (if applicable).

• ANU Health, safety & wellbeing for medical services, counselling, mental health and spiritual support
• ANU Access and inclusion for students with a disability or ongoing or chronic illness
• ANU Dean of Students for confidential, impartial advice and help to resolve problems between students and the academic or administrative areas of the University
• ANU Academic Skills and Learning Centre supports you make your own decisions about how you learn and manage your workload.
• ANU Counselling Centre promotes, supports and enhances mental health and wellbeing within the University student community.
• ANUSA supports and represents all ANU students