Unit details

OCEN4006 Working with Multiple Disciplines

Credit

6 points

Offering
(see Timetable)

Availability	Location	Mode
Non-standard teaching period	UWA (Perth)	Face to face

Content

The ocean provides many opportunities for sustainable development but is negatively impacted by some human activities. These problems and opportunities are complex and finding the solutions involves collaboration across fields such as science, engineering, psychology, economics, law and international relations. This unit introduces students to the value of working across disciplines, broadening boundaries of knowledge and methodologies, and developing new insights and problem solving skills. Key issues are explored including communication and terminological differences, the scientific method, legal problem solving and research methodologies. The unit examines the concepts of multi-, inter-, cross- and trans-disciplinarity and how they can be applied to address the many challenges facing the oceans. Using a combination of approaches, students learn to work in teams drawn from different fields, and how to apply different disciplinary approaches and ways of thinking to current issues of local and global importance. Ultimately, this unit enables students to assess a line of enquiry in the context of ocean leadership and navigate towards a solution, using critical thinking across a wide range of disciplines.

Outcomes

Students are able to (1) demonstrate a clear understanding of the meaning of multi-, inter-, cross- and trans-disciplinarity in the context of ocean leadership; (2) evaluate an ocean-based issue and identify the range of disciplinary approaches that may be used to resolve complex problems; (3) critically assess the need to employ an approach involving multiple disciplines and practically apply such an approach; (4) understand and identify the appropriate ways in which to work in a multi-disciplinary context taking into account opportunities and challenges; (5) employ new tools, methodologies and knowledge to ocean-based problems and differentiate between local, regional and global solutions; and (6) synthesise, critically appraise and distil information from a range of disciplines and clearly present this information to an informed audience.

Assessment

Indicative assessments in this unit are as follows: (1) group exercises; (2) critical appraisal of case studies; and (3) presentation. Further information is available in the unit outline.

For units commencing in May 2022 or later the availability of the supplementary assessment is subject to confirmation.

Student may be offered supplementary assessment in this unit if they meet the eligibility criteria.

Except where supplementary assessment is not available in a unit, it will be offered to students in all units who:

• Are in good academic standing overall;
• Have passed over half the units taken in the teaching period concerned, except where they are only enrolled in two or less units in the period;
• Have submitted all assessment items in the unit;
• Have achieved a mark between 45 and 49 for the unit overall, or the same mark in any failed component item in the unit; and
• No finding of academic misconduct has been made against them in the unit concerned.

Additionally student may apply for supplementary assessment in any unit which is the final unit required for graduation in there course and where they have achieved a mark between 45 and 49 for the unit overall, or the same mark in any failed component item in the unit.

Unit Coordinator(s)

Professor Carolyn Oldham and Dr Maryam Abdolahpour

Unit rules

Prerequisites:

Nil.

Co-requisites:

Nil.

Incompatibility:

Nil.

Incidental fees

Incidental student fees and charges are costs incurred by students as part of their studies at UWA that are in addition to their tuition fees (further information is available here or contact your Faculty Office).
Participation in this unit will incur the following incidental fee(s):
3-day/ 2-night field camp in Albany – includes food, accommodation. (estimated cost - 330).

Contact hours

lectures and turorials: 65 hours