Overview
The world continues to change rapidly in ways that affect well-being, social and economic development and the natural environment. In this unit, you will explore the causes, patterns, trends and localised impacts of major global changes, including population growth, migration, urbanisation, globalisation, socio-economic inequality and environmental change. You will investigate linkages between these changes and sustainability and adapt your thinking to new contexts in a changing world.
Details
Pre-requisites or Co-requisites
There are no requisites for this unit.
Important note: Students enrolled in a subsequent unit who failed their pre-requisite unit, should drop the subsequent unit before the census date or within 10 working days of Fail grade notification. Students who do not drop the unit in this timeframe cannot later drop the unit without academic and financial liability. See details in the Assessment Policy and Procedure (Higher Education Coursework).
Offerings For Term 1 - 2024
Attendance Requirements
All on-campus students are expected to attend scheduled classes – in some units, these classes are identified as a mandatory (pass/fail) component and attendance is compulsory. International students, on a student visa, must maintain a full time study load and meet both attendance and academic progress requirements in each study period (satisfactory attendance for International students is defined as maintaining at least an 80% attendance record).
Recommended Student Time Commitment
Each 6-credit Undergraduate unit at CQUniversity requires an overall time commitment of an average of 12.5 hours of study per week, making a total of 150 hours for the unit.
Class Timetable
Assessment Overview
Assessment Grading
This is a graded unit: your overall grade will be calculated from the marks or grades for each assessment task, based on the relative weightings shown in the table above. You must obtain an overall mark for the unit of at least 50%, or an overall grade of ‘pass’ in order to pass the unit. If any ‘pass/fail’ tasks are shown in the table above they must also be completed successfully (‘pass’ grade). You must also meet any minimum mark requirements specified for a particular assessment task, as detailed in the ‘assessment task’ section (note that in some instances, the minimum mark for a task may be greater than 50%). Consult the University’s Grades and Results Policy for more details of interim results and final grades.
All University policies are available on the CQUniversity Policy site.
You may wish to view these policies:
- Grades and Results Policy
- Assessment Policy and Procedure (Higher Education Coursework)
- Review of Grade Procedure
- Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure
- Monitoring Academic Progress (MAP) Policy and Procedure – Domestic Students
- Monitoring Academic Progress (MAP) Policy and Procedure – International Students
- Student Refund and Credit Balance Policy and Procedure
- Student Feedback – Compliments and Complaints Policy and Procedure
- Information and Communications Technology Acceptable Use Policy and Procedure
This list is not an exhaustive list of all University policies. The full list of University policies are available on the CQUniversity Policy site.
Feedback, Recommendations and Responses
Every unit is reviewed for enhancement each year. At the most recent review, the following staff and student feedback items were identified and recommendations were made.
Feedback from Staff feedback
A staff post-5-year course review workshop has suggested enhancing the content and perspectives of First Nations Peoples in the unit.
The learning material will be updated to enrich the content and perspectives of First Nations Peoples.
Feedback from Student feedback and staff feedback
The learning material should be applicable and valuable for the learning of various disciplines in the BA.
The learning material will be refreshed and updated to enhance multidisciplinary applicability.
- Describe the causes and impacts of major global changes
- Collect, analyse, evaluate and present information on major global changes and their impacts
- Discuss the linkages between the global changes and the goals of global sustainability
- Debate issues around adopting a more sustainable approach to human practices.
N/A
Alignment of Assessment Tasks to Learning Outcomes
| Assessment Tasks | Learning Outcomes | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | |
| 1 - Online discussion forum - 15% | ||||
| 2 - Portfolio - 45% | ||||
| 3 - Written Assessment - 40% | ||||
Alignment of Graduate Attributes to Learning Outcomes
| Graduate Attributes | Learning Outcomes | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | |
| 1 - Communication | ||||
| 2 - Problem Solving | ||||
| 3 - Critical Thinking | ||||
| 4 - Information Literacy | ||||
| 5 - Team Work | ||||
| 6 - Information Technology Competence | ||||
| 7 - Cross Cultural Competence | ||||
| 8 - Ethical practice | ||||
| 9 - Social Innovation | ||||
| 10 - Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultures | ||||
Alignment of Assessment Tasks to Graduate Attributes
| Assessment Tasks | Graduate Attributes | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | |
| 1 - Online discussion forum - 15% | ||||||||||
| 2 - Portfolio - 45% | ||||||||||
| 3 - Written Assessment - 40% | ||||||||||
Textbooks
There are no required textbooks.
IT Resources
- CQUniversity Student Email
- Internet
- Unit Website (Moodle)
All submissions for this unit must use the referencing style: Harvard (author-date)
For further information, see the Assessment Tasks.
j.wu@cqu.edu.au
Module/Topic
The World at A Crossroads
Chapter
Weekly learning materials will be provided in the unit's Moodle site.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Sustainable Development: Our Common Future
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
The Global Sustainable Development Goals
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Mapping the Complexity
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Global Population: Growth and Challenge
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Migration and Social Change
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Globalisation and Global Cities
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Development and Inequality
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Global Biodiversity Is Crashing
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Climate Change: A Global Crisis
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Environmental Change and Public Health
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Become an Agent for Positive Change
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
1 Online discussion forum
The assessment task requires students to actively participate in the online discussion on the Moodle site of the unit. Your participation should include the creation of at least 3 initial posts and 2 response posts over the term. Your initial posts should be substantial and add value to the discussion. Your response posts should be meaningful and continue the conversation initiated by the initial posts. Each initial post should be around 50-70 words in length, and each response post should be no less than 20 words.
For more information and support, please refer to the detailed instructions provided on the Moodle site of the unit.
Posts should be created between week 1 and week 12. Any posts submitted after week 12 (11:30pm, Sunday) will not be assessed.
All posts will be evaluated by the end of the term.
All posts will be reviewed by the end of the term and will be evaluated based on the following criteria:
- Quantity and timeliness of participation.
- Demonstration of knowledge and engagement with the topic.
- Contribution to the overall learning experience for the class.
Detailed assessment criteria can be found on the Moodle site of the unit.
- Describe the causes and impacts of major global changes
- Communication
- Problem Solving
- Critical Thinking
- Information Literacy
- Team Work
- Cross Cultural Competence
2 Portfolio
The assessment task consists of two projects.
Project 1 requires students to select a Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) and write a reflective essay examining its impact or relevance to their field of study, industry, future profession, or other business they are involved in. The essay should be approximately 800 words in length and is due on Friday of Week 5.
For Project 2, students must choose one of the global changes discussed between weeks 5 and 11 and write a reflective essay critically exploring its effects on their community. This essay should also be approximately 800 words in length and is due on Friday of Week 10.
Detailed instructions and resources are available on the Moodle site of the unit.
The two projects are due on Friday in week 5 and 10 respectively
The projects will be marked and returned within two weeks after the respective due dates.
Your projects will be evaluated based on the following criteria, emphasizing personal connections to the matter of discussion::
- The quality of introducing and explaining the matter, including personal insights and experiences.
- The quality of the analysis and critical reflection on the matter, incorporating your own perspectives and insights.
- The level of critical reflection for self-improvement and future practice.
Detailed assessment criteria can be found on the Moodle site of the unit.
- Describe the causes and impacts of major global changes
- Collect, analyse, evaluate and present information on major global changes and their impacts
- Discuss the linkages between the global changes and the goals of global sustainability
- Debate issues around adopting a more sustainable approach to human practices.
- Communication
- Problem Solving
- Critical Thinking
- Information Literacy
- Cross Cultural Competence
- Social Innovation
3 Written Assessment
The assessment task requires you to write a term research paper about a global change or aspects of global change. Your paper can discuss any social, economic, or environmental change. Making a good choice independently is a crucial aspect of this assignment.
In the paper, you should demonstrate both understanding of the change and the ability to analyse and debate it. This includes
- Defining the change and discussing its significance
- Describing trends and patterns of the change
- Analysing causes/drivers of the change
- Discussing the impacts of the change
- Evaluating the impacts of the change on sustainability.
The length of the paper should be around 2,500 substantive words.
Detailed instructions and support are provided on the unit's Moodle site.
Online submission
Exam Week Friday (14 June 2024)
Assessments will be marked and returned in two weeks after the due date or as soon as practicable
Your term paper will be evaluated based on the following criteria:
- The depth of analysis conducted on the topic.
- The quality of analysis and discussion, including the application of knowledge, skills, attitudes and values.
- The presentation of evidence and data.
- The quality of written communication.
Detailed assessment criteria can be found on the unit's Moodle site.
- Collect, analyse, evaluate and present information on major global changes and their impacts
- Discuss the linkages between the global changes and the goals of global sustainability
- Debate issues around adopting a more sustainable approach to human practices.
- Communication
- Problem Solving
- Critical Thinking
- Information Literacy
- Cross Cultural Competence
As a CQUniversity student you are expected to act honestly in all aspects of your academic work.
Any assessable work undertaken or submitted for review or assessment must be your own work. Assessable work is any type of work you do to meet the assessment requirements in the unit, including draft work submitted for review and feedback and final work to be assessed.
When you use the ideas, words or data of others in your assessment, you must thoroughly and clearly acknowledge the source of this information by using the correct referencing style for your unit. Using others’ work without proper acknowledgement may be considered a form of intellectual dishonesty.
Participating honestly, respectfully, responsibly, and fairly in your university study ensures the CQUniversity qualification you earn will be valued as a true indication of your individual academic achievement and will continue to receive the respect and recognition it deserves.
As a student, you are responsible for reading and following CQUniversity’s policies, including the Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure. This policy sets out CQUniversity’s expectations of you to act with integrity, examples of academic integrity breaches to avoid, the processes used to address alleged breaches of academic integrity, and potential penalties.
What is a breach of academic integrity?
A breach of academic integrity includes but is not limited to plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion, cheating, contract cheating, and academic misconduct. The Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure defines what these terms mean and gives examples.
Why is academic integrity important?
A breach of academic integrity may result in one or more penalties, including suspension or even expulsion from the University. It can also have negative implications for student visas and future enrolment at CQUniversity or elsewhere. Students who engage in contract cheating also risk being blackmailed by contract cheating services.
Where can I get assistance?
For academic advice and guidance, the Academic Learning Centre (ALC) can support you in becoming confident in completing assessments with integrity and of high standard.
What can you do to act with integrity?
