This unit looks at the impact humans have had on the Earth. We address, in turn, the main components of the habitable parts of the planet and examine the fundamental, natural processes within each. With this grounding we then superimpose the impact of people, particularly the excesses of post-industrial humanity, upon the Earth to reveal the consequences of the activities of modern society. The unit emphasizes that environmental sustainability requires an understanding, not only of the processes that can be identified today, but of the rate, sequence and nature of changes which have taken place in our recent past. Further, that environmental sustainability demands consideration, not only of environmental processes, but also the social and political constraints to change. The unit provies an opportunity to take stock of where we currently are and how we can plan for a more sustainable, equitable and regenerative future.
For further information regarding the course please refer to the Course Outline found at the following link (PDF, 195kB).
A CSP is subsidised by the Australian Government and students pay a contribution amount. Each unit is classified into a student contribution band, depending on the study area of the unit (this discipline may be different from the study area of your course).
2024 contribution amount* -
$1,118
2024 contribution amount - continuing student who commenced before 1 Jan 2021* -
$1,118
* for Clinical Psychology (Clin Psych) & Professional Pathways (Prof Path) bands the contribution amount is determined by accredited course. Students in Postgraduate Clinical Psychology, Professional Pathway Psychology or Professional Pathway Social Work accredited courses should visit our CSP page for further information.
Note: The Job-ready Graduates Package introduced new funding clusters and contribution amounts from the 2021 academic year. If you are a continuing student who commenced before 1 January 2021 studying units in disciplines with increased contribution amounts, you will continue paying the same amount (indexed each year) as you would have. For further information visit the Australia Government's Study Assist website.
These places are offered for postgraduate studies or to CSP ineligible students and tuition fees are not subsidised by the Australian Government. Domestic postgraduate tuition fees are course-based annual fees and the unit fee you pay will vary according to the degree you are studying. To find out more about domestic tuition fees and view the relevant fee schedule visit our fees website.
International tuition fees are course-based annual fees and the unit fee you pay will vary according to the degree you are studying. To find out more about international tuition fees and view the relevant fee schedule visit our fees website.
It is important to check unit delivery details including location and census date, prior to making decisions about enrolment. Detailed semester and census date information can be found on the Important Dates page.