CMS 3010 Clean and Green: Environmental Discourses

STAFFING:

SYNOPSIS:

Concern about environmental issues is fuelling vigorous policy debates. These debates raise questions concerning the social and ethical limits of technology, the role of science in decision-making, and the development of a just and sustainable world. From a communication perspective, the environment question can be viewed in terms of how the knowledge, values and opinions underlying current debates are socially constructed. What changes in social values are manifest in the environment debates? What forums and institutions provide the communicative conditions for information and discussion to take place? This course will address these questions.

OBJECTIVES:

On successful completion of this course students will be able to:

1. identify the ideological factors which naturalise and legitimate environmentally negative practices; (Journals 1 & 2 refer)
2. analyse the ways these ideological factors constrain the terms in which environmental issues are debated; (Journals 1 & 2 refer)
3. identify rhetorical strategies with the potential to transform the terms in which environmental disputes are cast; (Decision Analysis assessment refers)
4. critically examine their own ideological heritage with respect to its environmental impact. (Decision Analysis assessment refers)

TOPICS:

TEXT and MATERIALS required to be PURCHASED or accessed:

ALL textbooks and materials are available for purchase from USQ BOOKSHOP (unless otherwise stated). Orders may be placed via secure internet, free fax 1800642453, phone 07 46312742 (within Australia), or mail. Overseas students should fax +61 7 46311743, or phone +61 7 46312742. For costs, further details, and internet ordering, use the 'Textbook Search' facility at http://bookshop.usq.edu.au click 'Semester', then enter your 'Course Code' (no spaces).

CMS3010 S2 2006 Study Package

Some internet access will be required for official/government websites for data, and also for downloading some readings. * NOTE: For those who have NO such access please contact the lecturer prior to enrolling to see if alternatives can be arranged.

REFERENCE MATERIALS:

STUDENT WORKLOAD REQUIREMENTS:

ASSESSMENT DETAILS:

IMPORTANT ASSESSMENT INFORMATION

1. Attendance requirements:
   It is the students' responsibility to attend and participate appropriately in all activities (such as lectures, tutorials, laboratories and practical work) scheduled for them, and to study all material provided to them or required to be accessed by them to maximise their chance of meeting the objectives of the course and to be informed of course-related activities and administration. For this course, normal class attendance consists of one 1 hour lecture and one 1 hour tutorial per week.
2. Requirements for students to complete each assessment item satisfactorily:
   To complete each of the assessment items satisfactorily, students must obtain at least a grade of C- for each assessment item.
3. Penalties for late submission of required work:
   If students submit assignments after the due date without approval, then a penalty of 10% of the total marks available for the assignment will apply for each of the first FIVE working days late, after which a zero mark will be given.
4. Requirements for student to be awarded a passing grade in the course:
   To be assured of receiving a passing grade a student must submit all of the summative assessment items and achieve at least a C- for each item.
5. Method used to combine assessment results to attain final grade:
   The final grades for students will be calculated by aggregating the weighted result for each summative assessment item.
6. Examination information:
   There is no exam for this course.
7. Examination period when Deferred/Supplementary examinations will be held:
   Given the details under (6) above, there are no deferred exams for this course. However, if any deferred/makeup work is granted, it would have to be submitted by a date set by the examiner.
8. University Regulations:
   Students should read USQ Regulations 5.1 Definitions, 5.6. Assessment, and 5.10 Academic Misconduct for further information and to avoid actions which might contravene University Regulations. These regulations can be found at the URL http://www.usq.edu.au/corporateservices/calendar/part5.htm or in the current USQ Handbook.

ASSESSMENT NOTES

OTHER REQUIREMENTS:

1. Students may need to interview the people involved in the decision they choose for their Decision analysis. The interview techniques must meet University ethical requirements and the examiner must be satisfied that these are met.