SUSTAIN 100 : Sustainability and Us

Science

2021 Semester Two (1215) (15 POINTS)

Course Prescription

What is sustainability? Discusses what sustainability means, and its underpinning values, history and operation within complex physical systems. Students complete a group project to develop skills in collective decision making with a solution focus. Two sustainability issues, such as food and water, are discussed in depth.

Course Overview

SUSTAIN 100 is the first course in the Sustainability Module. It provides an introduction to the various aspects of sustainability with an emphasis on how we can all contribute to a more sustainable future. The  course integrates theory and practice, and the major assignment involves working in small teams to design a game that encourages people to think sustainably. SUSTAIN 100 addresses questions such as; What does it take to create a sustainable society? What role can each of us play? Can we make our lives mores sustainable? And how do we encourage others to do the same?

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
Graduate Profile: Bachelor of Science

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this course, students will be able to:
  1. Embody a respect for all living beings and living systems. (Capability 1 and 6)
  2. Critically discuss the concepts of sustainability and regeneration. (Capability 1 and 6)
  3. Explain the structure, function and inherent interdependence of natural and social systems. (Capability 1)
  4. Demonstrate an ability to solve real world problems and implement creative solutions. (Capability 2, 3, 4 and 6)
  5. Demonstrate a commitment to collaboration and the capacity to work with others. (Capability 4)
  6. Tell powerful and persuasive stories about the present and possible futures. (Capability 4, 5 and 6)
  7. Slow down and … have hope. (Capability 5 and 6)

Assessments

Assessment Type Percentage Classification
Test 20% Individual Test
Portfolio 20% Group Coursework
Reflection 20% Individual Coursework
Final Exam 40% Individual Examination
Assessment Type Learning Outcome Addressed
1 2 3 4 5 6 7
Test
Portfolio
Reflection
Final Exam

Tuākana

As part of the University-wide Tuākana community, The School of Environment Tuākana Programme aims to provide a welcoming learning environment for, and enhance the success of, all of our Māori and Pacific students. We are led by the principles of tautoko (support) and whanaungatanga (connection) and hope you find a home here at the School. Students who have identified as Māori and/or Pacific will receive an invitation to our online portal introducing the Programme, the resources we have available, and how you can get involved. 

Key Topics

Key concepts of sustainability
Complex systems
Natural systems
Kaitiakitanga/Mauri
 Values and emotions
Consumption and consumerism
Measuring sustainability
Doing sustainability
Focal topic: water
Focal topic: food

Special Requirements

This course has no special requirements.

Workload Expectations

During a typical teaching week there will be 3 hours of lectures and one hour of tutorials. For the 12 teaching weeks, this totals 45 hours. Since the course as a whole represents approximately 150 hours of study, that leaves a total of 105 hours across the entire semester for both group work and independent study.

Delivery Mode

Campus Experience

Attendance is expected at scheduled activities, particularly tutorials, as these are a required component of the course.

Lectures will be available as recordings. Other learning activities including tutorials will not be available as recordings.

The course will not include live online events unless we are forced to change our delivery mode.

Under normal circumstances attendance on campus is required for both the test and exam.

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

Special advice for Offshore students

This course is available online to students resident offshore. The assessment and learning delivery mechanisms may differ from that presented in this Digital Course Outline. Please contact the Course Coordinator for further details: Joe Fagan (j.fagan@auckland.ac.nz).

Learning Resources

SUSTAIN 100G does not have a required text book. Instead all required reading material will be provided through 'Reading lists' on Canvas.

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.

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 will not be required to attend in person. All teaching and assessment will 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 08/06/2021 09:46 p.m.