GYM5300

Environmental assessment

Availability to be confirmed

Dr Sharron Pfueller

12 points -2 hours per week -Second semester -Clayton -Prerequisites: Major sequence in geography or permission of head of department

Objectives Students should gain a perspective on the history of the development of environmental assessment procedure and understand the legislative requirements for environmental assessment and the methodologies used in the evaluation of social, health, economic and environmental impacts. They should appreciate different types of environmental assessment ranging from the environmental impact statement and auditing of individual projects to assessment of broader plans and policies; and become familiar with case studies drawn from Australia, North America and developing countries. They should also have developed practical skills in the preparation of environmental impact statements and should be able to demonstrate the capacity to critically evaluate current assessment procedures.

Synopsis Through examining the assessment of the environmental impacts of public and private works within the framework of sustainable development this subject aims both to provide an understanding of current assessment procedures and to critically evaluate their effectiveness. The factors which generated the need for formal environmental assessment together with its legislative background will be examined. By studying the methods involved in defining social, health, economic and environmental impacts the relationship between the scientific nature of assessment procedures and the political processes of decision making will be explored.

Assessment Written one essay (2500 words): 40% -One group project (3000 words): 30% -One paper (1000 words): 10% -Two seminar presentations: 20%

Prescribed texts

Thomas I Environmental impact assessment in Australia Federation, 1996
Gilpin A Environmental impact assessment: Cutting edge for the twenty-first century CUP, 1995

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