Studying online
There are now 2 possible online modes for units:
Units with modes Online timetabled and Online flexible are available for any student to self-enrol and study online.
Click on an offering mode for more details.
Unit Overview
- Description
Protected areas such as national parks and reserves cover around 17% and 7% of the world's land and sea surface respectively and are implemented to conserve or manage biodiversity through the regulation and restriction of human activities. With accelerating rates of species extinctions worldwide, coupled with the impacts of climate change on biodiversity, pressure is growing to designate more protected areas. However, the effectiveness of protected areas in conserving biodiversity is often questioned, whilst the practical and ethical consequences of restricting human access and resource usage frequently results in conflict between stakeholders.
This unit allows students to gain a detailed insight into the impacts and effectiveness of terrestrial and marine protected areas, using a case study approach drawing on political ecology to explore the tensions associated with their designation and management. The drivers behind protected area implementation and mechanisms to generate social, economic and environmental benefits for nearby communities will be examined. Students will be expected to make regular and reasoned contributions to class debate, supporting a pedagogical approach based on deep learning and participatory activities.
Upon completion of this unit, students will be able to 1) explain and interpret the classification of protected areas and their worldwide distribution; 2) show how political ecology helps identify the drivers behind protected area implementation; 3) compare, contrast and debate the impacts of protected areas on biodiversity and local human communities; 4) critique measures to generate social, economic or environmental benefits from protected areas; 5) judge the viability of the protected area approach to conservation for the 21st century.
- Credit
- 6 points
- Offering
Availability Location Mode Not available in 2024 UWA (Perth) Face to face Not available in 2024 Online Online timetabled - Outcomes
Students are able to (1) interpret the classification of protected areas and their worldwide distribution; (2) analyse how political ecology helps identify the drivers behind protected area implementation; (3) evaluate the impacts of protected areas on biodiversity and local human communities; (4) critique measures to generate social, economic or environmental benefits from protected areas; and (5) evaluate the viability of the protected area approach to conservation for the 21st century.
- Assessment
Indicative assessments in this unit are as follows: (1) briefing paper; (2) podcast; and (3) report and presentation. Further information is available in the unit outline.
Student may be offered supplementary assessment in this unit if they meet the eligibility criteria.
- Unit Coordinator(s)
- Dr Linda Robson
- Contact hours
- 4 hours per week
- The availability of units in Semester 1, 2, etc. was correct at the time of publication but may be subject to change.
- All students are responsible for identifying when they need assistance to improve their academic learning, research, English language and numeracy skills; seeking out the services and resources available to help them; and applying what they learn. Students are encouraged to register for free online support through GETSmart; to help themselves to the extensive range of resources on UWA's STUDYSmarter website; and to participate in WRITESmart and (ma+hs)Smart drop-ins and workshops.
- Visit the Essential Textbooks website to see if any textbooks are required for this Unit. The website is updated regularly so content may change. Students are recommended to purchase Essential Textbooks, but a limited number of copies of all Essential Textbooks are held in the Library in print, and as an ebook where possible. Recommended readings for the unit can be accessed in Unit Readings directly through the Learning Management System (LMS).
- Contact hours provide an indication of the type and extent of in-class activities this unit may contain. The total amount of student work (including contact hours, assessment time, and self-study) will approximate 150 hours per 6 credit points.
Face to face
Predominantly face-to-face. On campus attendance required to complete this unit. May have accompanying resources online.
Online flexible
100% Online Unit. NO campus face-to-face attendance is required to complete this unit. All study requirements are online only. Unit is asynchronous delivery, with NO requirement for students to participate online at specific times.
Online timetabled
100% Online Unit. NO campus face-to-face attendance is required to complete this unit. All study requirements are online only. Unit includes some synchronous components, with a requirement for students to participate online at specific times.
Online Restricted
Not available for self-enrolment. Students access this mode by contacting their student office through AskUWA. 100% Online Unit.
NO campus face-to-face attendance. All study and assessment requirements are online only. Unit includes some timetabled activities, with a requirement for students to participate online at specific times. In exceptional cases (noted in the Handbook) students may be required to participate in face-to-face laboratory classes when a return to UWA’s Crawley campus becomes possible in order to be awarded a final grade.
External
No attendance or regular contact is required, and all study requirements are completed either via correspondence and/or online submission.
Off-campus
Regular attendance is not required, but student attends the institution face to face on an agreed schedule for purposes of supervision and/or instruction.
Multi-mode
Multiple modes of delivery. Unit includes a mix of online and on-campus study requirements. On campus attendance for some activities is required to complete this unit.