This plan is only available to students commencing from 2009 onwards

The Environmental Studies Minor is designed to give Students an ability to apply an interdisciplinary approach to the analysis and resolution of contemporary environmental dilemmas. Through the dynamic shift in Environmental Education towards ‘Environmental Citizenship’ students will employ an analytical, trans-disciplinary and problem oriented approach in which environmental solutions are the focus, and social aspects gain full recognition. The relationships between humans, places and ecosystems will be examined through new methodologies leading to ‘ecological knowledge’. The major will progress students through the four levels of attainment towards ‘Environmental Citizenship’: Environmental Awareness, Environmental Literacy, Environmental Responsibility and Environmental Competence.

The Environmental Studies Minor aims to develop:
• an awareness of the historical, theoretical and policy implications of the human construction and transformation of the environment.
• an ability to utilise a range of disciplinary methods to analyse and understand the various disciplinary perspectives on contemporary environmental concerns,
• an understanding of the way environmental concerns have become prominent policy issues, how social, economic and technological systems affect human relationships with the environment and the ways in which environmental decisions are made and controversies resolved.
• an ability to apply an interdisciplinary approach to the analysis and resolution of contemporary environmental dilemmas.

A student who wishes to gain a Minor in Environmental Studies must complete 36 units of credit including 12 uoc at Level 1, at least 12 uoc at Level 2 and at least 12 uoc at Level 3.

Students proceeding to Level 2 will use the methodologies of history, philosophy, political science, history and philosophy of science, sociology and ecology to extend their literacy in environmental issues; to explore:
• Environmentalism, environmental controversy and social change
• Globalisation of technological, economic and social systems.
• Links between environment and development; and environment and security

Level Two courses feature Australian cases studies, allow specialization, for example on waste and society, climate change, heritage management and environmental economics. Students may also substitute geography courses.

Level 3 of the Minor is designed to consolidate a transdisciplinary problem solving approach. General topics include
• The assessment and management of uncertainty and risk
• Policy and planning, public participation and negotiation.
• Global characteristics of issues such as climate change, international trade in both products and wastes, and protection of biodiversity.

The capstone course is ‘Society and Environmental Process: Case Studies in the Sydney Region’. An internship is also core to the Level 3 program. Electives allow specialization in Environmental Philosophy, Environmental History, Environmentalism and social movements, and the relationship between technology and innovation. Geography offerings can be included, for example courses in Environmental Impact Assessment and/or Coastal Resource Management.