GEOG 714 : Mobilities and Wellbeing

Science

2021 Semester One (1213) (15 POINTS)

Course Prescription

An exploration of place-based human mobilities and their influence on health and wellbeing, employing current theoretical perspectives. No formal prerequisite, but an understanding of material in Stage III courses in human geography will be assumed.

Course Overview

This course provides an opportunity for an in-depth exploration of changing understandings of wellbeing as viewed through a lens of mobility studies. I draw on contemporary geographical and interdisciplinary theory and research and adopt a pluralistic approach to consider mobilities ranging from walking to flying. An implication of this pluralism is that there is no singular ‘correct’ theory or method, but rather there are benefits to be gained from openness to a range of perspectives. 
 
The fundamental learning objective of the course is: to explore the ways that human experiences of wellbeing are shaped by mobility and, in turn, influence the nature of place, and vice versa (the characteristics of place influence population and wellbeing). 

Course Requirements

No pre-requisites or restrictions

Capabilities Developed in this Course

Capability 1: Disciplinary Knowledge and Practice
Capability 2: Critical Thinking
Capability 3: Solution Seeking
Capability 4: Communication and Engagement
Capability 5: Independence and Integrity
Capability 6: Social and Environmental Responsibilities

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this course, students will be able to:
  1. Explain and communicate contemporary shifts in thinking within the fields of social and health geography as influenced by the ‘mobilities’ perspective; (Capability 1 and 2)
  2. Demonstrate evidence of critical reading that has resulted in your ability to articulate the links between theory, method and research findings; (Capability 1 and 2)
  3. Apply your understanding of the links between wellbeing and mobility in policy debates in New Zealand and/or elsewhere ; (Capability 4 and 6)
  4. Demonstrate independence, honesty and integrity in academic work, applying ethical considerations theoretically and practically. (Capability 3, 5 and 6)
  5. Identify and describe the historical, social, political, economic and cultural significance of tangata whenua and the ongoing significance of Te Tiriti o Waitangi to contemporary New Zealand society, and particularly in areas of health care and transport policy. (Capability 4 and 6)

Assessments

Assessment Type Percentage Classification
Coursework 10% Individual Coursework
Coursework 40% Individual Coursework
Essay 50% Individual Coursework
Assessment Type Learning Outcome Addressed
1 2 3 4 5
Coursework
Coursework
Essay

Tuākana

For all Māori and Pacific students studying at the School of Environment, including in postgraduate courses not explicitly supported  by tutors in the Tuākana programme, student advisers are available. Names and contact details for these advisers will be posted on Canvas at the beginning of the course. 

Key Topics

Introduction: Mobilities & wellbeing   
Theorising a Mobilities Perspective 
Mobilising against COVID-19  
Stepping out: Mobilities of Walking 
Bikelash! Re-cycling the city 
Sink or swim: seaborne mobilities 
Taking flight: Airport spaces 
Observed mobilities 
E-motion: how music moves us     
Thinking about patient journeys   
International medical mobilities

Special Requirements

There will be an independently-conducted observational exercise conducted off-campus at a time and place of one's own choosing.

Workload Expectations

This course is a standard 15 point course and students are expected to spend 10 hours per week involved in each 15 point course that they are enrolled in. For this course, you can expect 24 hours of lectures, up to 10 hours of reading and thinking about the content and up to 10 hours of work on assignments in the specific weeks leading up to submission dates.

Delivery Mode

Campus Experience

Attendance is required at scheduled activities  to complete components of the course.  

The activities for the course are scheduled as a standard weekly timetable. 


Learning Resources

Required readings are indicated against each lecture in the comprehensive Course Outline which will be posted on Canvas. All readings are digitised and made available online  

Student Feedback

During the course Class Representatives in each class can take feedback to the staff responsible for the course and staff-student consultative committees.

At the end of the course students will be invited to give feedback on the course and teaching through a tool called SET or Qualtrics. The lecturers and course co-ordinators will consider all feedback.

Your feedback helps to improve the course and its delivery for all students.

Students typically rate this course highly in terms of overall satisfaction. In 2020 some commented on wanting fewer written assignments and more guidance on preparing them so this will be provided in more detail in class in 2021.

Digital Resources

Course materials are made available in a learning and collaboration tool called Canvas which also includes reading lists and lecture recordings (where available).

Please remember that the recording of any class on a personal device requires the permission of the instructor.

Academic Integrity

The University of Auckland will not tolerate cheating, or assisting others to cheat, and views cheating in coursework as a serious academic offence. The work that a student submits for grading must be the student's own work, reflecting their learning. Where work from other sources is used, it must be properly acknowledged and referenced. This requirement also applies to sources on the internet. A student's assessed work may be reviewed against online source material using computerised detection mechanisms.

Copyright

The content and delivery of content in this course are protected by copyright. Material belonging to others may have been used in this course and copied by and solely for the educational purposes of the University under license.

You may copy the course content for the purposes of private study or research, but you may not upload onto any third party site, make a further copy or sell, alter or further reproduce or distribute any part of the course content to another person.

Inclusive Learning

All students are asked to discuss any impairment related requirements privately, face to face and/or in written form with the course coordinator, lecturer or tutor.

Student Disability Services also provides support for students with a wide range of impairments, both visible and invisible, to succeed and excel at the University. For more information and contact details, please visit the Student Disability Services’ website http://disability.auckland.ac.nz

Special Circumstances

If your ability to complete assessed coursework is affected by illness or other personal circumstances outside of your control, contact a member of teaching staff as soon as possible before the assessment is due.

If your personal circumstances significantly affect your performance, or preparation, for an exam or eligible written test, refer to the University’s aegrotat or compassionate consideration page https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/students/academic-information/exams-and-final-results/during-exams/aegrotat-and-compassionate-consideration.html.

This should be done as soon as possible and no later than seven days after the affected test or exam date.

Learning Continuity

In the event of an unexpected disruption we undertake to maintain the continuity and standard of teaching and learning in all your courses throughout the year. If there are unexpected disruptions the University has contingency plans to ensure that access to your course continues and your assessment is fair, and not compromised. Some adjustments may need to be made in emergencies. You will be kept fully informed by your course co-ordinator, and if disruption occurs you should refer to the University Website for information about how to proceed.

Level 1:  Delivered normally as specified in delivery mode. 
Level 2: You are not required to attend in person.  Lecture recordings, readings and listenings will be available remotely and the course coordinator is available for Zoom meetings. All assessments have a remote option.  
Level 3 / 4: All teaching activities and assessments are delivered remotely.

Student Charter and Responsibilities

The Student Charter assumes and acknowledges that students are active participants in the learning process and that they have responsibilities to the institution and the international community of scholars. The University expects that students will act at all times in a way that demonstrates respect for the rights of other students and staff so that the learning environment is both safe and productive. For further information visit Student Charter https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/students/forms-policies-and-guidelines/student-policies-and-guidelines/student-charter.html.

Disclaimer

Elements of this outline may be subject to change. The latest information about the course will be available for enrolled students in Canvas.

In this course you may be asked to submit your coursework assessments digitally. The University reserves the right to conduct scheduled tests and examinations for this course online or through the use of computers or other electronic devices. Where tests or examinations are conducted online remote invigilation arrangements may be used. The final decision on the completion mode for a test or examination, and remote invigilation arrangements where applicable, will be advised to students at least 10 days prior to the scheduled date of the assessment, or in the case of an examination when the examination timetable is published.

Published on 04/03/2021 01:37 p.m.