Subject details

On successful completion of the subject you should be able to:

  1. critically apply core concepts in resilience theory to overall sustainability evaluation of a bioregional location
  2. appreciate the role of Indigenous culture in the historical shaping of the bioregion
  3. apply complexity principles to the understanding of the key relationships between the human and ecological elements within a bioregion
  4. compare and contrast orthodox views of economic progress, technology and design to those of alternative commsubjecties
  5. compare and contrast conventional agriculture to permaculture, organic and biodynamic alternatives
  6. appreciate the political and policy aspects of regional economic development.

  • Topics

    • Complex adaptive systems and resilience; Bioregionalism and decentralization; Sense of place
    • Ecological and agricultural resilience: Ecosystem health and restoration; Transforming agriculture: Catchment management; Permaculture
    • Social and Cultural Resilience: Indigenous history and culture; Participatory politics; Alternative communities
    • Sustainable Entrepreneurship: Transforming agriculture: Sustainable agriculture; Eco-preneurship; Eco-technologies
    • Creating resilient communities

  • Study resources

    • Print Materials

      • Study guide

Entry Requirements

Others

Enrolment in one of the majors:Sustainable Dev; Commsubjecty Dev; International Aid & Dev. Students must have completed 18 credit points (6 OUA subjects) at Level 1 before enrolling in this subject.

Special requirements

No special requirements

This capstone subject showcases sustainability in practice at a regional scale. The subject is immersive, interactive and practical.   For internal students the subject includes a week-long residency in Denmark WA in early December.  During the residency, field trips and case studies will cover: resilience; bioregionalism; sense of place; sustainable technologies; eco-entrepreneurism; and sustainable agriculture.  There are extra costs for this subject to cover accommodation and food.  External students will be expected to visit similar case studies in their own region.

  • Assignment 1 - Multimedia Presentation (30%)
  • Assignment 2 - Final Report (40%)
  • Assignment 3 - Reflective Journal (30%)

Textbooks are subject to change within the academic year. Students are advised to purchase their books no earlier than one to two months before the start of a subject.

View textbooks

Related degrees

Undergraduate

Bachelor of Arts (Sustainable Development)

Undergraduate

Bachelor of Arts