GEOG397 Environmental Management: Policy and Practice

Overview

Responses of societies to environmental problems, with emphasis on environmental management policy and practice in New Zealand.

This paper provides an understanding of environmental management law, policy and process in New Zealand. It is an ideal introduction to environmental management for those majoring in subjects in the Sciences and Humanities who may wish to work in government departments, consultancies or local authorities.

About this paper

Prerequisite

54 GEOG points or 180 points

Schedule C

Arts and Music, Science

Eligibility

GEOG397 is popular with science and non-geography students wishing to prepare for a career in environmental management with local authorities, consultancies or central government. Non-geography students wishing to enrol in GEOG397 should consider taking GEOG216 in semester 1, but staff will consider applications from all starting second and third year students, regardless of their backgrounds. Please apply to the paper Coordinator."

Contact

geography@otago.ac.nz

More information link

View further information about GEOG 397

Teaching staff

Course Co-ordinator: Associate Professor Michael Hilton

Teaching Staff:  Dr Teresa Konlechner
Dr Sean Connelly

Paper Structure

This paper comprises laboratories (including a local fieldtrip) and an individual research project.  Assessment is split 50% internal (ongoing during the semester) and 50% final exam.

Teaching Arrangements

Two lectures per week and six 2-hour laboratories scheduled over the 13 weeks of semester.  Local field trips may be held in laboratory slots.

Textbooks

There are no prescribed textbooks for GEOG 397. The nature of environmental management makes it inevitable that you will draw from a wide range of literature, websites, texts and journals. A selection of readings for each topic will be posted on Blackboard.

Graduate Attributes Emphasised

Lifelong learning, Communication, Critical thinking, Research, Teamwork.
View more information about Otago's graduate attributes.

Learning Outcomes

By the end of the paper you should have developed a critical understanding of environmental management practice in New Zealand, including:

• The roles, functions and decision-making processes of the principal environmental agencies in New Zealand, including local and central government
• The implications of Article II of the Treaty of Waitangi and Māori perspectives
• The provisions of key environmental statues, particularly the RMA 1991
• Planning methods employed by local authorities in policy statements and plans
• Hazard management - particularly coastal hazard management
• Methods of conservation management, species recovery and ecosystem restoration in New Zealand, including urban areas and areas of high conservation value

Timetable

Overview

Responses of societies to environmental problems, with emphasis on environmental management policy and practice in New Zealand.

This paper examines environmental management practice in New Zealand, including environmental policy and the methods used to address environmental problems.  It is an ideal introduction to environmental management for those majoring in subjects in the Sciences and Humanities who may wish to work in government departments, consultancies or local authorities.

About this paper

Prerequisite

54 GEOG points or 180 points

Schedule C

Arts and Music, Science

Eligibility

GEOG 397 is popular with science and non-geography students wishing to prepare for a career in environmental management with local authorities, consultancies or central government. Non-geography students wishing to enrol in GEOG 397 should consider taking GEOG 216 in semester 1, but staff will consider applications from all starting second- and third-year students, regardless of their backgrounds. Please apply to the paper Co-ordinator.

Contact

geography@otago.ac.nz

Teaching staff

Course Co-ordinator: Associate Professor Michael Hilton

Teaching Staff: Dr Teresa Konlechner
Dr Sean Connelly

Paper Structure

This paper comprises laboratories (including a local field trip) and an individual research project.  

Teaching Arrangements

Two lectures per week and six 2-hour laboratories scheduled over the 13 weeks of semester. Local field trips may be held in laboratory slots.

Textbooks

There are no prescribed textbooks for GEOG 397. The nature of environmental management makes it inevitable that you will draw from a wide range of literature, websites, texts and journals. A selection of readings for each topic will be posted on Blackboard.

Graduate Attributes Emphasised

Lifelong learning, Communication, Critical thinking, Research, Teamwork.
View more information about Otago's graduate attributes.

Learning Outcomes

By the end of the paper, students should have developed a critical understanding of environmental management practice in New Zealand, including:

• The roles, functions and decision-making processes of the principal environmental agencies in New Zealand, including local and central government, and the tools used to address environmental problems
• The implications of Article II of the Treaty of Waitangi and Māori perspectives
• The provisions of key environmental statues, particularly the RMA 1991
• Planning methods employed by local authorities in policy statements and plans
• Hazard management - particularly coastal hazard management
• Methods of conservation management, species recovery and ecosystem restoration in New Zealand, including urban areas and areas of high conservation value

Assessment details

Assessment is split 50% internal (ongoing during the semester) and 50% final exam.

Timetable