Overview
The world continues to change rapidly in ways that affect well-being, social and economic development and the natural environment. In this unit, you will explore the causes, patterns, trends and localised impacts of major global changes, including population growth, migration, urbanisation, globalisation, socio-economic inequality and environmental change. You will investigate linkages between these changes and sustainability and adapt your thinking to new contexts in a changing world.
Details
Pre-requisites or Co-requisites
There are no requisites for this unit.
Important note: Students enrolled in a subsequent unit who failed their pre-requisite unit, should drop the subsequent unit before the census date or within 10 working days of Fail grade notification. Students who do not drop the unit in this timeframe cannot later drop the unit without academic and financial liability. See details in the Assessment Policy and Procedure (Higher Education Coursework).
Offerings For Term 1 - 2025
Attendance Requirements
All on-campus students are expected to attend scheduled classes - in some units, these classes are identified as a mandatory (pass/fail) component and attendance is compulsory. International students, on a student visa, must maintain a full time study load and meet both attendance and academic progress requirements in each study period (satisfactory attendance for International students is defined as maintaining at least an 80% attendance record).
Recommended Student Time Commitment
Each 6-credit Undergraduate unit at CQUniversity requires an overall time commitment of an average of 12.5 hours of study per week, making a total of 150 hours for the unit.
Class Timetable
Assessment Overview
Assessment Grading
This is a graded unit: your overall grade will be calculated from the marks or grades for each assessment task, based on the relative weightings shown in the table above. You must obtain an overall mark for the unit of at least 50%, or an overall grade of 'pass' in order to pass the unit. If any 'pass/fail' tasks are shown in the table above they must also be completed successfully ('pass' grade). You must also meet any minimum mark requirements specified for a particular assessment task, as detailed in the 'assessment task' section (note that in some instances, the minimum mark for a task may be greater than 50%). Consult the University's Grades and Results Policy for more details of interim results and final grades.
All University policies are available on the CQUniversity Policy site.
You may wish to view these policies:
- Grades and Results Policy
- Assessment Policy and Procedure (Higher Education Coursework)
- Review of Grade Procedure
- Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure
- Monitoring Academic Progress (MAP) Policy and Procedure - Domestic Students
- Monitoring Academic Progress (MAP) Policy and Procedure - International Students
- Student Refund and Credit Balance Policy and Procedure
- Student Feedback - Compliments and Complaints Policy and Procedure
- Information and Communications Technology Acceptable Use Policy and Procedure
This list is not an exhaustive list of all University policies. The full list of University policies are available on the CQUniversity Policy site.
Feedback, Recommendations and Responses
Every unit is reviewed for enhancement each year. At the most recent review, the following staff and student feedback items were identified and recommendations were made.
Feedback from UC self assessment
Integrating course information into weekly readings and activities.
Integrate discussions about the BA course and the unit's learning outcomes into weekly readings and activities to better align the unit with students' educational goals.
Feedback from UC self assessment
Enhancing foundational learning resources to support student learning.
Incorporate and enhance foundational learning resources, such as assessment tutorial videos and supplementary reading on assessment writing, within the unit's Moodle site to better support students' learning and academic progress.
- Describe the causes and impacts of major global changes
- Collect, analyse, evaluate and present information on major global changes and their impacts
- Discuss the linkages between the global changes and the goals of global sustainability
- Debate issues around adopting a more sustainable approach to human practices.
N/A
Alignment of Assessment Tasks to Learning Outcomes
| Assessment Tasks | Learning Outcomes | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | |
| 1 - Online discussion forum - 15% | ||||
| 2 - Project (applied) - 20% | ||||
| 3 - Project (applied) - 25% | ||||
| 4 - Written Assessment - 40% | ||||
Alignment of Graduate Attributes to Learning Outcomes
| Graduate Attributes | Learning Outcomes | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | |
| 1 - Communication | ||||
| 2 - Problem Solving | ||||
| 3 - Critical Thinking | ||||
| 4 - Information Literacy | ||||
| 5 - Team Work | ||||
| 6 - Information Technology Competence | ||||
| 7 - Cross Cultural Competence | ||||
| 8 - Ethical practice | ||||
| 9 - Social Innovation | ||||
| 10 - Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultures | ||||
Textbooks
There are no required textbooks.
IT Resources
- CQUniversity Student Email
- Internet
- Unit Website (Moodle)
All submissions for this unit must use the referencing style: Harvard (author-date)
For further information, see the Assessment Tasks.
j.wu@cqu.edu.au
Module/Topic
The World at A Crossroads
Chapter
Weekly learning materials will be provided in the unit's Moodle site.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Sustainable Development: Our Common Future
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
The Global Sustainable Development Goals
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Mapping the Complexity
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Global Population: Growth and Challenge
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Migration and Social Change
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Globalisation and Global Cities
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Development and Inequality
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Global Biodiversity Is Crashing
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Climate Change: A Global Crisis
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Environmental Change and Public Health
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Be an Agent for Positive Change
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
1 Online discussion forum
The assessment task requires students to actively participate in the online discussion on the Moodle site of the unit. Your participation should include at least 3 initial posts and 2 response posts over the term. Your initial posts should be substantial and contribute meaningfully to the discussion. Your response posts should be engaging and help advance the conversation initiated by others. Each initial post should be around 50-70 words in length, and each response post should be no less than 20 words. Please note: In accordance with the school's GenAI guide, the following rule applies: No Gen AI use at any point during this assessment.
For further details and support, please refer to the instructions available on the unit’s Moodle site
Posts should be created between week 1 and week 12. Any posts submitted after week 12 (11:30pm, Sunday) will not be assessed.
All posts will be evaluated by the end of the term.
All posts will be reviewed by the end of the term and will be evaluated based on the following criteria:
- Quantity and timeliness of participation.
- Demonstration of knowledge and engagement with the topic.
- Contribution to the overall learning experience for the class.
Detailed assessment criteria can be found on the Moodle site of the unit.
- Describe the causes and impacts of major global changes
2 Project (applied)
In this assessment, you are required to select one Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) and write a reflective essay exploring its significance and relevance to your field of study, industry, future profession, or any business or sector you are involved in.
Your essay should critically examine how the chosen SDG impacts or intersects with your discipline, addressing key challenges, opportunities, and potential strategies for advancing sustainability within your area of interest. You are encouraged to draw on relevant literature, real-world examples, and personal reflections to support your discussion.
The essay should be approximately 800 words in length and is due on Monday of Week 6. For further details and guidance, please refer to the instructions provided on the unit’s Moodle site. Please note: In accordance with the school’s GenAI guide, the following rule applies: No Gen AI use at any point during this assessment.
Week 6 Monday (21 Apr 2025) 9:00 am AEST
Online submission
Week 7 Friday (2 May 2025)
The assessment will be marked and returned within two weeks after the due date.
Your essay will be evaluated based on the following criteria, with a strong emphasis on personal connections to the topic:
- Clarity and depth of introduction, including establishing the connection between the selected SDG and your field of discussion, as well as personal insights and experiences.
- Quality of analysis and discussion, including an analysis of how your field is shaped by the SDGs, with strong evidence and insightful interpretation.
- Critical reflection for self-improvement and future practice, demonstrating thoughtful engagement with the sustainability challenges and opportunities presented by the SDG.
For a detailed breakdown of the assessment criteria, please refer to the unit’s Moodle site.
- Describe the causes and impacts of major global changes
- Collect, analyse, evaluate and present information on major global changes and their impacts
- Discuss the linkages between the global changes and the goals of global sustainability
- Discuss the linkages between the global changes and the goals of global sustainability
- Debate issues around adopting a more sustainable approach to human practices.
3 Project (applied)
In this assessment, you are required to select one global change discussed between Weeks 5 and 11 and write a reflective essay critically exploring its effects on your community. Your essay should examine the chosen global change in depth, considering its social, economic, environmental, or cultural implications.
You are encouraged to incorporate personal insights, real-world examples, and relevant literature to support your discussion. Additionally, your reflection should consider how local communities can respond to or adapt to the challenges and opportunities presented by this global change.
The essay should be approximately 800 words in length and is due on Monday of Week 11.
For further details and guidance, please refer to the instructions provided on the unit’s Moodle site. Please note: In accordance with the school’s GenAI guide, the following rule applies: No Gen AI use at any point during this assessment.
Week 11 Monday (26 May 2025) 9:00 am AEST
Online submission
Week 12 Friday (6 June 2025)
The assessment will be marked and returned within two weeks after the due date.
Your essay will be evaluated based on the following criteria, with an emphasis on providing well-supported evidence:
- Clarity and depth of introduction, including the selection of a relevant global change and its connection to the community.
- Quality of analysis and discussion, Examining how the community is affected by the global change, supported by examples and relevant evidence.
- Critical reflection on local response and personal engagement, exploring potential strategies and adaptations of individuals and communities to global change.
For a detailed breakdown of the assessment criteria, please refer to the unit’s Moodle site.
- Describe the causes and impacts of major global changes
- Collect, analyse, evaluate and present information on major global changes and their impacts
- Debate issues around adopting a more sustainable approach to human practices.
4 Written Assessment
For this assessment, you are required to write a research paper exploring how a global change or a specific aspect of global change impacts sustainability. Selecting a relevant and meaningful topic independently is a key part of this assignment.
Your paper should demonstrate an understanding of the chosen change and the ability to critically analyze and discuss its impacts on sustainability. Specifically, your discussion should include:
- Defining the change and explaining its significance.
- Identifying trends and patterns associated with the change.
- Analyzing its impacts on the sustainability of aspects of sectors or communities.
- Evaluating its broader implications for sustainability and potential future outcomes.
The paper should be approximately 2,500 substantive words in length. Please note: In accordance with the school’s GenAI guide, the following rule applies: No Gen AI use at any point during this assessment.
For detailed guidelines and additional support, please refer to the unit’s Moodle site.
Week 12 Friday (6 June 2025) 12:00 pm AEST
Online submission
Exam Week Friday (20 June 2025)
The assessment will be marked and returned within two weeks after the end of the term, or as soon as possible.
Your research paper will be evaluated based on the following criteria:
- Depth of analysis, demonstrating a thorough exploration of the topic.
- Quality of discussion and critical analysis, including the application of relevant knowledge, skills, attitudes, and values.
- Use of evidence and data, effectively supporting arguments with credible sources.
- Clarity and coherence of written communication, ensuring a well-structured and engaging presentation.
For a detailed breakdown of the assessment criteria, please refer to the unit’s Moodle site.
- Collect, analyse, evaluate and present information on major global changes and their impacts
- Discuss the linkages between the global changes and the goals of global sustainability
- Debate issues around adopting a more sustainable approach to human practices.
As a CQUniversity student you are expected to act honestly in all aspects of your academic work.
Any assessable work undertaken or submitted for review or assessment must be your own work. Assessable work is any type of work you do to meet the assessment requirements in the unit, including draft work submitted for review and feedback and final work to be assessed.
When you use the ideas, words or data of others in your assessment, you must thoroughly and clearly acknowledge the source of this information by using the correct referencing style for your unit. Using others’ work without proper acknowledgement may be considered a form of intellectual dishonesty.
Participating honestly, respectfully, responsibly, and fairly in your university study ensures the CQUniversity qualification you earn will be valued as a true indication of your individual academic achievement and will continue to receive the respect and recognition it deserves.
As a student, you are responsible for reading and following CQUniversity’s policies, including the Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure. This policy sets out CQUniversity’s expectations of you to act with integrity, examples of academic integrity breaches to avoid, the processes used to address alleged breaches of academic integrity, and potential penalties.
What is a breach of academic integrity?
A breach of academic integrity includes but is not limited to plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion, cheating, contract cheating, and academic misconduct. The Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure defines what these terms mean and gives examples.
Why is academic integrity important?
A breach of academic integrity may result in one or more penalties, including suspension or even expulsion from the University. It can also have negative implications for student visas and future enrolment at CQUniversity or elsewhere. Students who engage in contract cheating also risk being blackmailed by contract cheating services.
Where can I get assistance?
For academic advice and guidance, the Academic Learning Centre (ALC) can support you in becoming confident in completing assessments with integrity and of high standard.
What can you do to act with integrity?
