Contested Resources

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2016:

170 hours.

It is recommended that students have completed one or more of the following subjects before attempting this subject:

For the purposes of considering request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Cwth 2005), and Student Support and Engagement Policy, academic requirements for this subject are articulated in the Subject Overview, Learning Outcomes, Assessment and Generic Skills sections of this entry.

It is University policy to take all reasonable steps to minimise the impact of disability upon academic study, and reasonable adjustments will be made to enhance a student's participation in the University's programs. Students who feel their disability may impact on meeting the requirements of this subject are encouraged to discuss this matter with a Faculty Student Adviser and Student Equity and Disability Support: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/disability

This subject examines challenges in landscape and ecosystem management using Cartesian and complexity science frameworks, such as systems thinking, resilience, decision analysis, ecological economics and related tools. The subject will expose how these frameworks are applied, along with their strengths and weaknesses using interesting and current international and domestic case study analysis. Students will learn about the practice of understanding and managing contests over multiple resources along with the implications for society, ecosystems and the interdependencies between them on a day long compulsory field trip. The field trip will take place during the semester. Students will be required to arrange their absence with other subjects. The estimated additional cost of the one-day field trip will be approximately $60 / student. Students are responsible for the cost of food.

On completion of this subject, students should be able to:

• Describe factors that contribute to conflicts over resources
• Describe and evaluate several frameworks that originate in different disciplines for conceptualising and managing resource management challenges
• Analyse case studies in which these frameworks have been applied to understand implications for society, environments and the interdependencies between them
• Analyse resource challenges by selecting and then integrating appropriate disciplinary approaches

A three part project report of 3,000 words equivalent (90% total)

• Part 1, individual component, 500 words, due week 5 (20%)
• Part 2, team task, (per student contribution 500 words), due week 9 (30%)
• Part 3, individual component, 2000 words, due week 12 (40%)

Participation in tutorial discussions, 1000 word equivalent, weekly (10%)

Attendance of subject field trip, first half of semester (hurdle)

This subject potentially can be taken as a breadth subject component for the following courses:

• Bachelor of Arts
• Bachelor of Commerce
• Bachelor of Environments
• Bachelor of Music

You should visit learn more about breadth subjects and read the breadth requirements for your degree, and should discuss your choice with your student adviser, before deciding on your subjects.

This subject contributes to the development of generic skills. On completion students should have further developed their skills in:

• Analysis of complex problems
• Written communication
• Ability to work as a team member
• Synthesis of data with other information
• Application of theory to practice