GEOG 7026A - Dissertation Env Pol & Mgt (Applied) Part 1

North Terrace Campus - Semester 1 - 2024

The Major Dissertation Environmental Policy & Management (Applied) Pt 1 & 2, involves the undertaking of a full-year (Semester 1 and 2) research project and the submission by the due date of a dissertation on the project of approximately 20-24000 words, with an accompanying seminar. The Dissertation Environmental Policy & Management (Applied) T/Y will have two years (four consecutive Semesters) to complete the dissertation and seminar. Students are asked to nominate the topic area for their research project and to identify potential dissertation supervisors. Students may consult anyone who has expertise or information relevant to their research projects, but there is no provision for external supervision at the Masters level. The exact topic for the research project is normally decided through consultation between the student and the dissertation supervisor, but is subject to approval by the Masters Co-ordinator. A suitable member of staff, with whom the student should meet regularly, supervises the dissertation.

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Course Details

Course Code	GEOG 7026A
Course	Dissertation Env Pol & Mgt (Applied) Part 1
Coordinating Unit	Geography, Environment and Population
Term	Semester 1
Level	Postgraduate Coursework
Location/s	North Terrace Campus
Available for Study Abroad and Exchange	Y
Prerequisites	24 units in the MEnvPolicy&Policy(App)
Restrictions	Available to MEnvPolicy&Policy(App) students only
Assessment	20000-24000 word internal and external assessment of research dissertation on a theme appropriate to Environmental Policy and Management

Course Staff

Course Coordinator: Associate Professor Yan Tan

Associate Professor Yan Tan
Program Director, Hugo Population and Migration Studies, Stretton Institute
Program Director, Master of Environmental Policy and Management
Department of Geography, Environment and Population
Faculty of Arts, Business, Law and Economics
The University of Adelaide, SA 5005, Australia

P: (61) 08 8313 3976
E: yan.tan@adelaide.edu.au
W: https://researchers.adelaide.edu.au/profile/yan.tan

Course Timetable

The full timetable of all activities for this course can be accessed from Course Planner.

Course Learning Outcomes

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

1.      Write a research proposal;

2.      Demonstrate understanding of the research process from initiation to completion;

3.      Explain the theoretical/analytical framework which informs your research question(s) and research methods; and

4.      Demonstrate the capacity to gather and analyse relevant data, and write a dissertation summing up the research process.

University Graduate Attributes

This course will provide students with an opportunity to develop the Graduate Attribute(s) specified below:

University Graduate Attribute	Course Learning Outcome(s)
Attribute 1: Deep discipline knowledge and intellectual breadth Graduates have comprehensive knowledge and understanding of their subject area, the ability to engage with different traditions of thought, and the ability to apply their knowledge in practice including in multi-disciplinary or multi-professional contexts.	1, 2, 3, 4
Attribute 2: Creative and critical thinking, and problem solving Graduates are effective problems-solvers, able to apply critical, creative and evidence-based thinking to conceive innovative responses to future challenges.	1, 2, 3, 4
Attribute 3: Teamwork and communication skills Graduates convey ideas and information effectively to a range of audiences for a variety of purposes and contribute in a positive and collaborative manner to achieving common goals.	1, 2, 3, 4
Attribute 4: Professionalism and leadership readiness Graduates engage in professional behaviour and have the potential to be entrepreneurial and take leadership roles in their chosen occupations or careers and communities.	1, 2, 3, 4
Attribute 5: Intercultural and ethical competency Graduates are responsible and effective global citizens whose personal values and practices are consistent with their roles as responsible members of society.	1, 2, 3, 4
Attribute 6: Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural competency Graduates have an understanding of, and respect for, Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander values, culture and knowledge.	2, 3, 4
Attribute 7: Digital capabilities Graduates are well prepared for living, learning and working in a digital society.	1, 2, 3, 4
Attribute 8: Self-awareness and emotional intelligence Graduates are self-aware and reflective; they are flexible and resilient and have the capacity to accept and give constructive feedback; they act with integrity and take responsibility for their actions.	1, 2, 3, 4

Learning Resources

Required Resources

There are no set texts for this course. However, students would benefit from accessing some key texts on research methods. Some of these include:

·      Bryman, A. 2016. Social Research Methods. Oxford: Oxford University Press.

·      Cresswell J. 2014. Mixed Methods Research. Sage.

·      Denzin N, Lincoln Y. 2017. Handbook of Qualitative Research. Sage.

·      Neuman, WL. 2014. Social Research Methods: Qualitative and Quantitative Approaches. Harlow, Essex: Pearson.

·      Paton JM. 2015. Qualitative Research & Evaluation Methods. Sage

Online Learning

MyUni/Canvas is a critical learning tool and means of communication and knowledge exchange in this course. The Canvas/MyUni website for the course provides you with access to the following features to help manage your study:

·      Announcements;

·      PowerPoint slides of Workshops where relevant;

·      Course Readings regarding methods;

·      Course Guide;

·      Discussion Board; and

·      Any additional materials.

You are advised to regularly visit the MyUni/Canvas website for the course to receive course announcements and reminders and to submit
their dissertation and relevant work.
Learning & Teaching Activities

Learning & Teaching Modes

The teaching and learning model for this course in Semester 1 will be delivered via:
• 5 workshops which students are highly encouraged to attend during their candidature.
• Each student must arrange time to meet the Course Coordinator regularly to discuss his/her research progress.

Workload

The information below is provided as a guide to assist students in engaging appropriately with the course requirements.

It is expected that each student will coordinate their learning activities every week.

Students are expected to invest at least 8-16 hours a week (full-time). This includes workshops attendance, reading, research, and writing up.

Learning Activities Summary

In Semester 1 of 2024, the workshop topics are as follows.

• Research planning and proposal
• Dissertation writing
• Students' research proposal presentations
• Dissertation Day: Students’ presentation, discussion & feedback
• In-class consultation; Planning for HDR or work after the Master’s program
Assessment
The University's policy on Assessment for Coursework Programs is based on the following four principles:
1. Assessment must encourage and reinforce learning.
2. Assessment must enable robust and fair judgements about student performance.
3. Assessment practices must be fair and equitable to students and give them the opportunity to demonstrate what they have learned.
4. Assessment must maintain academic standards.
Assessment Summary

Students’ final dissertation will be assessed.

Please note the Course Coordinator or the Master student's project supervisor will assist with the preparation of, and provide comments on, several formative tasks, and arrange meetings to discuss your progress. However, the Coordinator (or the project supervisor) will only read – in detail – one full draft of the dissertation. It is a good idea to make sure the draft you submit to MyUni for full review is your best attempt. You can then revise it prior to the submission of your final dissertation for assessment. Any additional review will be at the Coordinator’s discretion.

In order to pass the course, it is necessary that students attend all the workshops and submit a dissertation.

The notional word limit is set at 20,000–24,000 words for a 24-unit dissertation.

Assessment Related Requirements

ORIGINALITY:

Master's Dissertation must be entirely the student's work and entirely an original work prepared by the student, except where:

• the use of the words, information or ideas of others is appropriate and is duly acknowledged using the Harvard referencing system; and
• the use of work previously or concurrently completed by the student for some other purpose is appropriate and is fully acknowledged.

Where it can be demonstrated that a student has contravened these rules, the matter will be treated as a very serious form of misconduct and disciplinary action may be taken against the student under the University’s General Course Rules governing plagiarism and other forms of cheating.

Assessment Detail

Each dissertation will be assessed by two examiners. Criteria for the assessment of the dissertations will be provided when the course starts in semester 1, 2024.

Submission

Students must submit electronically via MyUni/Canvas. To check for plagiarism, we use TURNITIN. The last possible time for submission is midnight (11:59 pm) on the due date.

Course Grading

Grades for your performance in this course will be awarded in accordance with the following scheme:

NOG (No Grade Associated)

Grade Description

CN Continuing

Further details of the grades/results can be obtained from Examinations.

Grade Descriptors are available which provide a general guide to the standard of work that is expected at each grade level. More information at Assessment for Coursework Programs.

Final results for this course will be made available through Access Adelaide.
Student Feedback

The University places a high priority on approaches to learning and teaching that enhance the student experience. Feedback is sought from students in a variety of ways including on-going engagement with staff, the use of online discussion boards and the use of Student Experience of Learning and Teaching (SELT) surveys as well as GOS surveys and Program reviews.

SELTs are an important source of information to inform individual teaching practice, decisions about teaching duties, and course and program curriculum design. They enable the University to assess how effectively its learning environments and teaching practices facilitate student engagement and learning outcomes. Under the current SELT Policy (http://www.adelaide.edu.au/policies/101/) course SELTs are mandated and must be conducted at the conclusion of each term/semester/trimester for every course offering. Feedback on issues raised through course SELT surveys is made available to enrolled students through various resources (e.g. MyUni). In addition aggregated course SELT data is available.
Student Support
Policies & Guidelines
This section contains links to relevant assessment-related policies and guidelines - all university policies.
Fraud Awareness

Students are reminded that in order to maintain the academic integrity of all programs and courses, the university has a zero-tolerance approach to students offering money or significant value goods or services to any staff member who is involved in their teaching or assessment. Students offering lecturers or tutors or professional staff anything more than a small token of appreciation is totally unacceptable, in any circumstances. Staff members are obliged to report all such incidents to their supervisor/manager, who will refer them for action under the university's student’s disciplinary procedures.

NOG (No Grade Associated)
Grade	Description
CN	Continuing

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Maintained by:	Course Outlines Administrator