Graduate Preparatory Environment, Development and Climate Studies

This course provides a series of introductory lectures on contemporary environmental and resource-related challenges that affect human societies in the Asia-Pacific region. Students arrive into Crawford programs with many different backgrounds and levels of exposure to environment-related research, either in Australia or from overseas. The course aims to introduce environment, development and climate change postgraduate students to the big ideas in environmental science that underpin our understanding of the state and trends of the planet’s environment. It explores the history of sustainability and how communities and governments have responded to growing concerns about environmental degradation, resource depletion and climate change (and the role science has played in this response). Students are exposed to approaches to environmental and development policy that are seeking to respond to these challenges. The course consists of a series of core environmental lectures, with extensive opportunities for student engagement. Guest sessions led by the program convenors provide students with insights into how their learning program could be structured. The capstone of the course is the preparation and presentation of a "Plan of Study", in sessions led by the Head of Department. Through this course, students are supported in devising a tailored set of degree program learning goals, objectives, strategies and facilitating resources. A strong student cohort experience is facilitated during the crucial first weeks of starting a new degree program.