CDS2001 Sustainability Concepts and Issues

Requisites

Pre-requisite or Co-requisite: CMS1000 or CMS1009 or EDC1100

Other requisites

Students must be eligible for a blue card or its equivalent from State and Territory jurisdictions in order to complete Human Services programs at USQ. Students seeking to undertake practicums must be officially authorized to work with children before they can be placed in a human service organization. Information about application requirements and procedures can be found on the websites which are provided in Other Requirements.

Students will require access to e-mail and have internet access to UConnect for this course.

Synopsis

The course begins by examining the many conflicting definitions of sustainability, a number of key principles and several alternative models of sustainability. These are placed in the context of the prevailing paradigms of western society and the many problems and challenges of the early twenty-first century, especially as they relate to populations and the carrying capacity of local regions and the planet as a whole. A systems approach to sustainability allows the identification of unsustainable activities and key natural resources, especially land, water and energy. Current environmental, economic and social problems can be examined in this context and solutions, both current and proposed, evaluated as to their long term contribution towards sustainability. The Hervey Bay region will be used as a case study in the context of the "sea change" phenomenon, with consideration of such issues as climate change, housing, transport, water and agriculture. Community involvement in sustainability planning is emphasised in the context of the building of social capital and sustainable community structures and organisations. Some alternative strategies for regional community and economic development will be examined including eco-villages.
The Bachelor of Human Services (Counselling) is fully accredited by the Psychotherapy and Counselling Association of Australia (PACFA).

Course offers