CMS3010 Environmental Discourses: Democracy, Science & Economics

Contents

• Staffing
• Synopsis
• Objectives
• Topics
• Texts
• Reference materials
• Student workload
• Assessment details
• Important assessment information
• Assessment notes
• Other requirements
• Production date
• PDF version

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

All course materials will be available on the study desk or other online sources. Internet access will be required for access to course materials and for downloading course readings. Some internet access may also be required for obtaining information from relevant organisational websites to complete assessment requirements.

REFERENCE MATERIALS

Reference materials are materials that, if accessed by students, may improve their knowledge and understanding of the material in the course and enrich their learning experience.

O'Sullivan, T, Hartley, J, Saunders, D, Montgomery, M & Finke, J 1984, Key Concepts in Communication and Cultural Studies, Routledge, London.

STUDENT WORKLOAD REQUIREMENTS

ASSESSMENT DETAILS

NOTES

1.

This assignment is aligned with objectives 1 & 2

2.

This assignment is aligned with objectives 3 & 4

3.

This assignment is aligned with objectives 1 & 2

4.

This assignment is aligned with objectives 3 & 4

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 2 hour seminar per week.
2. Requirements for students to complete each assessment item satisfactorily:
   To satisfactorily complete an individual assessment item, a student must achieve at least 50% of the marks or a grade of at least C-. This statement must be read in conjunction with Statement 4 below.
3. Penalties for late submission of required work:
   If students submit assignments after the due date without extenuating circumstances and without prior approval, then a penalty of a maximum of 5% of the assigned mark may apply for each working day late, up to a maximum of 10 working days, at which time a mark of zero can be recorded for that assignment.
4. Requirements for student to be awarded a passing grade in the course:
   To be assured of receiving a passing grade a student must achieve at least 50% of the total weighted marks available for the course.
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.
2. Students will require access to email and have internet access to UConnect for this course.

This version produced 11 Dec 2009.