TEAC 2018 Education for Sustainability

This is an archived copy of the 2021-2022 catalog. To access the most recent version of the catalog, please visit https://hbook.westernsydney.edu.au.

Credit Points 10

Legacy Code 101663

Coordinator Annette Sartor Opens in new window

Description Increasingly, the need to develop sustainable ways of living that can reduce our ecological footprint and conserve precious natural resources for future generations is recognised as a critical concern of education at all levels. Developing 'sustainability literacy' requires new ways of thinking and learning that enable us to recognise the connections between environmental concerns, social patterns and individual actions. This unit approaches key issues in sustainability education with a learner-centred approach that builds skills for inquiry, analysis and creative action and involves a three-hour field trip. It promotes personal and social change, develops civic values and empowers learners to be leaders for a sustainable future.

School Education

Discipline Teacher Education

Student Contribution Band HECS Band 1 10cp

Check your HECS Band contribution amount via the Fees page.

Level Undergraduate Level 2 subject

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this subject, students should be able to:
  1. Articulate a critical understanding of the concept of sustainability
  2. Describe the ways that living systems exist and interact
  3. Identify major sustainability concerns, what contributes to them and ways to address them
  4. Analyse the production-consumption-disposal cycle of a selected consumable and associated sustainability impacts
  5. Identify actions required for promoting sustainability at the personal, local, national and global levels
  6. Evaluate the role of values, action, creativity and collaboration in education for sustainability
  7. Design, conduct and evaluate a sustainability education initiative.

Subject Content

1. Sustainability as a concept and a value system
2. Educational frameworks for promoting sustainability
3. Thinking like a system ? the ecological web
4. Ecological footprints ? resources, consumption and carrying capacity
5. Environmental impacts ? climate, biodiversity, social justice
6. Getting active ? personal and community action for sustainability
7. Teaching sustainability ? sustainable schools
8. Place-based learning
9. The social ecology of sustainability & change
10. Education for peace
11. Making a difference ? design for learning and action

Assessment

The following table summarises the standard assessment tasks for this subject. Please note this is a guide only. Assessment tasks are regularly updated, where there is a difference your Learning Guide takes precedence.

Item Length Percent Threshold Individual/Group Task
Reflection 800-1000 words 20 N Individual
Poster A2 poster or equivalent 50 N Individual
Presentation 15 mins 30 N Individual

Teaching Periods

Autumn

Online

Online

Subject Contact Annette Sartor Opens in new window

View timetable Opens in new window