59711 Natural Australia
Warning: The information on this page is indicative. The subject outline for a
particular semester, location and mode of offering is the authoritative source
of all information about the subject for that offering. Required texts, recommended texts and references in particular are likely to change. Students will be provided with a subject outline once they enrol in the subject.
Subject handbook information prior to 2015 is available in the Archives.
Credit points: 8 cp
Subject level: Undergraduate
Result type: Grade, no marksThere are course requisites for this subject. See access conditions.
Anti-requisite(s): 59716 Australian Environment AND 59718 Academic English
Requisite elaboration/waiver: Non-English-speaking background international, exchange or study abroad students who meet the requisite English proficiency score (IELTS: 5.0-6.0 overall with a writing score of 5.0; TOEFL: paper based: 510-550 overall with TWE of 3.0, internet based: 35-78 overall with a writing score of 14)
Description
This subject is designed for international students as part of an Australian Language and Culture Studies program. The subject focuses on the development of students' written and oral academic literacies, and introduces a range of texts that are appropriate for participation in an English language tertiary context. In this subject, academic literacies are approached through topics that relate to Australia's natural environment. These may include meanings attached to land, landscape, beach and bush; concepts of native, introduced, companion and feral species; patterns of population, consumption and waste; and the ways in which Australians participate in green cultures and organisations.
Contribution to the development of graduate attributes
This subject makes a major contribution to students’ capacity for communication in English, capacity for international and intercultural engagement, and their capacity for critical and creative inquiry.
Teaching and learning strategies
Face-to-face classes will incorporate a range of teaching and learning strategies including videos, reading and discussing case studies, interviews, group discussions, collaborative writing, and short presentations.
Content
Content covered in the subject includes: studies that relate to Australia’s natural environment; the meanings attached to land, landscape, beach and bush; to concepts of native, introduced, companion and feral species; to patterns of population, consumption and waste; and to the ways in which Australians participate in green cultures and organisations; strategies for research, writing, and presentation skills.
Assessment
Assessment task 1: Essay plan and annotated reference list
| Weight: | 20% |
|---|---|
| Length: | 700 words |
| Criteria: | • Clarity of argument |
Assessment task 2: Essay
| Weight: | 40% |
|---|---|
| Length: | 1200 words |
| Criteria: | • Clarity of argument |
Assessment task 3: Seminar presentation
| Weight: | 40% |
|---|---|
| Length: | 10 minutes presentation plus questions / discussion time |
| Criteria: | • Coverage of topic |
Minimum requirements
Students must complete each assessment task in order to pass this subject. Attendance at weekly classes is important in this subject because it is based on collaborative discussions and the interchange of ideas with other students and the lecturer. Students who fail to attend 85% of classes will not have their final assessment marked.
References
There is no set textbook for this subject. A range of appropriate resources for students to use will be discussed in class.
Elder C. 2007, Being Australian: Narratives of national identity, Allen & Unwin, Crows Nest, NSW, Australia.
Harper, M. & White, R. 2010, Symbols of Australia: Uncovering the stories behind the myths, University of New South Wales Press, University of New South Wales, Australia.
White, R. 1981, Inventing Australia, Allen & Unwin, St Leonards, NSW, Australia.
