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
What are the greatest challenges facing humanity in the twenty-first century? How can we understand and respond to these challenges? How can we promote greater human wellbeing and environmental sustainability on a global level? The twenty-first century promises to be one of massive transition in technology, social structures, human wellbeing, values and our world ecosystem. Students of today will live through these changes—their decisions and actions over the next 50 years could impact on human wellbeing and world futures for generations. Integrated human studies (IHS) concerns the nature and future of humankind and the challenges and opportunities of the twenty-first century. IHS brings together the sciences, humanities and applied disciplines to explore the big questions—Where did we come from? Where are we? Where do we want to go? How do we get there? Students discuss the meaning of the twenty-first century and survey the greatest challenges (such as the population explosion, global warming and resource depletion) facing humanity. They examine insights into these complex or 'wicked' problems from a range of fields, including history, ecology, human biology, sociology, psychology, philosophy, economics and politics, and appreciate the need for interdisciplinary approaches and understandings. As they explore a range of perspectives, students develop knowledge and skills relevant to a range of disciplines and professions concerned with human and world futures. These include interdisciplinary research methods and futures or foresight methods, such as scenario-building. Students also use a range of online technologies to collaborate together and develop their critical and creative thinking skills. The unit provides students with a broader understanding of the world in which they live. They learn about the changing environmental, social, economic and political context of the twenty-first century as well as gaining essential knowledge and skills for responding to the future. The unit supports personal, academic and professional development in a range of fields and professions across business, government and non-government sectors and helps students to make a difference in their current or future careers.
- Credit
- 6 points
- Outcomes
Students gain (1) an appreciation of the scope and complexity of the challenges and opportunities facing humanity in the twenty-first century; (2) an understanding of the need for an interdisciplinary approach to these challenges; (3) a basic understanding of relevant disciplinary perspectives and modes of inquiry, as well as interdisciplinary and futures methods; (4) the ability to use online technologies to collaborate with others and build shared understandings; and (5) the ability to create basic websites and other online productions of value to the broader community.
- Assessment
This comprises a portfolio of activities (50 per cent), an assignment including website production (25 per cent) and assessment based on contribution to group activities (25 per cent).
Student may be offered supplementary assessment in this unit if they meet the eligibility criteria.
- Unit Coordinator(s)
- Professor Neville Bruce
- Unit rules
- Prerequisites
- a bachelor's degree of this University or equivalent
- Contact hours
- 6 hrs per week on the online learning modules, readings, forum postings, project and group activities and attendance at regular face-to-face (on-campus) or live online tutorials (distance learning)
- 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.
- Unit readings, including any essential textbooks, are listed in the unit outline for each unit, one week prior the commencement of study. The unit outline will be available via the LMS and the UWA Handbook one week prior the commencement of study. Reading lists and essential textbooks are subject to change each semester. Information on essential textbooks will also be made available on the Essential Textbooks. This website is updated regularly in the lead up to semester so content may change. It is recommended that students purchase essential textbooks for convenience due to the frequency with which they will be required during the unit. A limited number of textbooks will be made available from the Library in print and will also be made available online wherever possible. Essential textbooks can be purchased from the commercial vendors to secure the best deal. The Student Guild can provide assistance on where to purchase books if required. Books can be purchased second hand at the Guild Secondhand bookshop (second floor, Guild Village), which is located on campus.
- 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.