Global and Regional Sustainability
UndergraduateMUR-ENV2452024
Course information for 2024 intake View information for 2025 course intake
Dig deep to unearth the social and economic factors impacting the scope and scale of sustainability worldwide. Identify threats and causes. Explore strategies for global governance. Debate evidence-based sustainability choices and challenges.
Enrolments for this course are closed, but you may have other options to start studying now. Book a consultation to learn more.
- Study method
- 100% online
- Assessments
- Subject may require attendance
- Entry requirements
- Prior study needed
- Duration
- 13 weeks
- Loan available
- HECS-HELP and FEE-HELP available
Global and Regional Sustainability
About this subject
The primary objective of this subject is to examine the many interacting factors that constitute sustainability issues and to understand some of the ways we can move to greater sustainability by actions at scales ranging from local to global.
After completing this subject students will be able to:
- describe how socio-economic and ecological dimensions interact and the significance of integrated responses to enhance sustainability.
- demonstrate an understanding of the significance of and interaction between global, regional and local scales for sustainability issues.
- critically analyse interconnections between environmental conditions and human values, practices, institutions.
- use these skills and knowledge to suggest and critique practical actions and policies that enhance sustainability.
- engage openly in critical, evidence-based discussion of sustainability challenges and options.
- Global and regional sustainability: introduction and overview;
- Population, demographic transition and sustainable lifestyles
- Food and agriculture
- Climate change, cities and energy
- Biodiversity and ecosystem services
- Water
- Ecological restoration
- Participation in sustainability
- Global governance for sustainability
- Civil Society
- Economic systems and sustainability
- Hope for the future
This subject was previously known as SUS212 Global & Regional Sustainability.
This subject enables students to apply their understanding of sustainability and their knowledge of environmental systems to different scales ranging from regional to global. Students will develop competence to unpack the threats to sustainability and their underlying drivers. They will explore strategies to address them which incorporate technical, governance, economic and social approaches.
Please Note: All students studying at Murdoch University will need to complete the compulsory unit, Murdoch Academic Passport (MAP100), which only takes 2-3 hours to complete online. Find out more: http://goto.murdoch.edu.au/MurdochAcademicPassport.
All assessment work goes beyond mere comprehension and reproduction of unit content. Students are required to critically engage with the unit content, challenging assumptions and ways of thinking, especially when examining current affairs and contemporary sustainability concerns. Tutorial facilitation serves the purpose of exploring the wide spectrum of views held on particular sustainability topics. The written assignment and the creative piece ask students to develop a robust theoretical grounding and to translate and apply theory using a medium other than academic writing.
- Sustainability Challenges Essay (30%)
- Sustainability Challenges Oral Presentation (10%)
- Invigilated Final Exam (40%)
- Sustainability Exhibition (20%)
For textbook details check your university's handbook, website or learning management system (LMS).
This research-based university in Perth has a strong interdisciplinary focus and a reputation for outstanding teaching and ground-breaking research. With more than 25,000 students and 2,400 staff from over 90 countries, and campuses in Dubai and Singapore, Murdoch embraces free thinking, shared ideas and knowledge to make a difference, and Open Universities Australia is certainly part of that.
Learn more about Murdoch University.
Explore Murdoch courses.
- QS Ranking 2024:
- 27
- Times Higher Education Ranking 2024:
- 26
Entry requirements
Equivalent subjects
You should not enrol in this subject if you have successfully completed any of the following subject(s) because they are considered academically equivalent:
MUR-SUS212 (Not currently available)
Others
Students must have completed 18 credit points (6 OUA subjects) at Level 1 before enrolling in this subject.
Additional requirements
No additional requirements
Study load
- 0.125 EFTSL
- This is in the range of 10 to 12 hours of study each week.
Equivalent full time study load (EFTSL) is one way to calculate your study load. One (1.0) EFTSL is equivalent to a full-time study load for one year.
Find out more information on Commonwealth Loans to understand what this means to your eligibility for financial support.
What to study next?
Once you’ve completed this subject it can be credited towards one of the following courses
Bachelor of Arts (Sustainable Development)
UndergraduateMUR-ASD-DEG
Single subject FAQs
What’s a single subject?
Single subjects are the individual components that make up a degree. With Open Universities Australia, you’re able to study many of them as stand-alone subjects, including postgraduate single subjects, without having to commit to a degree.
Each of your subjects will be held over the course of a study term, and they’ll usually require 10 to 12 hours of study each week. Subjects are identified by a title and a code, for example, Developmental Psychology, PSY20007.
How can I use single subjects to get into a full degree?
First, find the degree that you would like to study on our website.
If that degree allows entry via undergraduate subjects, there will be information about this under the Entry Requirements section. You will find a list of 2-4 open enrolment subjects you need to successfully complete to qualify for admission into that qualification.
Once you pass those subjects, you will satisfy the academic requirements for the degree, and you can apply for entry.
Our student advisors are here to help you take that next step, so don’t hesitate to reach out when you’re ready! We’ve also made it easier to figure out the right way to get started on our pathways page.
Can anyone help me choose a subject?
Our student advisors are more than happy to help you plan your online study. Get in touch with an advisor by:
How do I pay for my subjects?
You can pay up front with your credit card, or you may be eligible for a HELP loan from the Australian government depending on your citizenship status and where you’ll live during your studies.
For more information about how to pay for your studies visit our fees page or contact a student advisor.
How do I enrol?
When you’ve made your choice, click ‘Enrol now’ on the relevant course page and follow the prompts to begin your enrolment. We’ll ask you to supply some supporting documentation, including proof of your identity, your tax file number, and a unique student identifier (USI) during this process.
Your university will get in touch with you via email to confirm whether or not your application has been successful.
If you get stuck at any time, reach out to us and we’ll talk you through it.
You can also take a look at our online self-service enrolling instructions.
When is the cut-off date for enrolling?
Close of enrolment times vary between universities and subjects. You can check the cut-off dates for upcoming study terms by visiting key dates.