Undergraduate MUR-SUS203-2023

Sustainability, Ecology and Communities

Approach sustainable development from conceptual, practical and policy perspectives. Define sustainable governing practices. Discover how to foster change in individuals, organisations and communities. See how policy can aid ecological sustainability.

From

$1,895 $2,145

Your upfront cost: $0

International student?

Duration

13 weeks

Study method

100% Online

Available loans

HECS-HELP
FEE-HELP

Assessments

100% online

Prior study

Not required

Start dates

28 Aug 2023

This research-based university in Perth has a strong interdisciplinary focus and a reputation for outstanding teaching and ground-breaking research. With more than 23,000 students and 2,000 staff from over 90 countries, and campuses in Dubai and Singapore, Murdoch embraces free thinking, shared ideas and knowledge to make a difference, and Open Universities Australia is certainly part of that.

Learn more about Murdoch.

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2022
2023

Subject details

What you'll learn

At the completion of this subject students will be able to:

demonstrate a critical understanding of the principal concepts and theories of Systems thinking and Resilience thinking and their application to sustainability
discuss the multiple inter-disciplinary perspectives which can be brought to bear in responding imaginatively to sustainability problems and in developing sustainability solutions
analyse the range of tools and processes to implement sustainability through Government, Business and Community sectors
develop coherent sustainability solutions, based on a range of policy tools and a range of models of change
work both independently, and collaboratively and respectfully with a range of people
communicate effectively both orally and in writing

Topics covered

- Introduction to Systems Thinking
- Applying Systems Thinking to Sustainability
- Applying Systems Thinking to the Socio-Ecological System – Resilience
- A systems approach to implementing sustainability through Government
- Tool: Planning & Policy-Making for Sustainability
- Taking it further: Participation and Partnerships for Sustainability
- A systems approach to implementing sustainability in Business
- Tool: Measuring and Assessing Sustainability
- Taking it further: Innovation and Leadership for Sustainability
- A systems approach to implementing sustainability in Civil Society
- Tool: Behaviour Change in Communities and Individuals
- Taking it further: Visioning and Actioning a Sustainable Future

Entry requirements

Equivalent subjects

You should not enrol in this subject if you have successfully completed any of the following subject(s) because they are considered academically equivalent:

MUR-SUS214 (Not currently available)

Others

Students must have completed 18 credit points (6 OUA subjects) at Level 1 before enrolling in this subject.

Additional requirements

No additional requirements

Description

This subject was previously known as SUS214 Sustainability, Ecology and Communities.

This subject develops knowledge of the conceptual, practical and policy aspects of sustainable development. The subject focuses on the implementation of sustainability at a local and sub-national level. Systems thinking and resilience are presented as key tools to both understand sustainability problems and develop sustainability solutions within socio-ecological systems. The implementation of sustainability is then explored through governance, business and civil society approaches.

Please Note: All students studying at Murdoch University will need to complete the compulsory unit, Murdoch Academic Passport (MAP100), which only takes 2-3 hours to complete online. Find out more: http://goto.murdoch.edu.au/MurdochAcademicPassport.

Assessments

Timed Online Exam (30%)
Participation (10%)
Project Report 1 (30%)
Project Report 2 (30%)

Textbooks

Current study term: 27 Aug 23 to 26 Nov 23

Check the learning management system (LMS) of your university for textbook details.

Related degrees

Undergraduate MUR-ASD-DEG-2023

Bachelor of Arts Sustainable Development