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
Throughout human history technological invention has driven great cultural changes, profoundly changed human lives and brought both unintended consequences and unpredictable rewards. This unit surveys a range of emerging technologies that have great potential for both positive and negative impacts on human wellbeing and sustainability, including genetics, robotics, information technology and nanotechnology. It then examines the links between technologies, economies and ecologies and the way in which economic forces have always driven technological innovation. How can technological and economic resources be harnessed in a more sustainable way? In order to answer this question, the unit examines the meaning of capital and introduces ecological economics as a new transdisciplinary field that brings the natural and social sciences together to investigate the essential factors in economic and environmental sustainability. Students then apply these insights to the global energy and food crises as they investigate sustainable technologies for energy and food production and technologies that can promote human health and wellbeing. They also carry out their own projects on global, regional or local issues. Finally, they identify technological and economic forces that are likely to impact on global ecologies in the future and examine the prospects for a more sustainable global economy.
- Credit
- 6 points
- Outcomes
Students gain (1) an understanding of the possible impacts of emerging technologies; (2) an understanding of the relationships between technologies, economies and ecologies; (3) the ability to identify sustainable technologies for the future; (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 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
- IHST5801 Humans in a World of Change (formerly IHST8801 Orientation to Integrated Human Studies)
or taken concurrently
- Contact hours
- approx. 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.