Dealing with Uncertainty in Complex Environments
Duration
- One semester or equivalent
On-campus unit delivery combines face-to-face and digital learning.
2022 teaching periods
| Hawthorn Higher Ed. Semester 2 |
||
|---|---|---|
Dates: Results: Last self enrolment: Census: Last withdraw without fail: |
Aims and objectives
This unit aims to equip students with the ability to critically analyse and apply current approaches to dealing with uncertainty in rapidly changing complex environments, with a focus on risk assessment and management. Students will also explore the drivers of change to health and environmental outcomes, including the societal responses required to ensure a sustainable healthy future.
Students who successfully complete this unit will be able to:
1. Reflect on the nature of uncertainty, complexity and ‘wicked problems’ in environmental health settings
2. Critically evaluate current approaches to dealing with uncertainty and ‘wicked problems’ in environmental health settings
3. Select and apply appropriate strategies to deal with uncertainty appropriate to the context
4. Examine future challenges associated with dealing with uncertainty in rapidly changing complex environments in order to sustain a healthy societal future
Students who successfully complete this unit will be able to:
1. Reflect on the nature of uncertainty, complexity and ‘wicked problems’ in environmental health settings
2. Critically evaluate current approaches to dealing with uncertainty and ‘wicked problems’ in environmental health settings
3. Select and apply appropriate strategies to deal with uncertainty appropriate to the context
4. Examine future challenges associated with dealing with uncertainty in rapidly changing complex environments in order to sustain a healthy societal future
Unit information in detail
- Teaching methods, assessment, general skills outcomes and content.
Teaching methods
- Scheduled face to face: Seminars (9 hours)
- Scheduled synchronous online learning events: N/A
Other non-scheduled learning events and activities: Independent study and assessment tasks (approx. 114 hours).
Assessment
| Types | Individual or Group task | Weighting | Assesses attainment of these ULOs |
| Essay | Individual | 20-30% | 1, 2 |
| Critical review | Individual | 30-40% | 1, 2, 3 |
| Case study | Individual | 30-40% | 2, 3, 4 |
As the minimum requirements of assessment to pass the unit and meet all Unit Learning Outcomes to a minimum standard, a student must:
• Achieve an overall mark for the unit of 50% or more, and
• Attempt all assessments.
• Achieve an overall mark for the unit of 50% or more, and
• Attempt all assessments.
General skills outcomes
During this unit students will receive feedback on the following key generic skills:
• Problem solving skills
• Analysis skills
• Communication skills
• Ability to tackle unfamiliar problems
• Ability to work independently
• Problem solving skills
• Analysis skills
• Communication skills
• Ability to tackle unfamiliar problems
• Ability to work independently
Content
• Uncertainty, complexity and wicked problems in environmental health settings
• Global to local governance frameworks for managing uncertainty
• Risk assessment and risk management frameworks in environmental health, including Health Impact Assessment (HIA), Driver, Pressure, State, Exposure, Effect, Action (DPSEEA), Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA)
• Evaluating and applying the appropriate approach to managing risks
• Role of quantitative and qualitative approaches as an evidence base for decision making
• Systems based thinking, interdisciplinary, transdisciplinary and cross disciplinary approaches
• The environmental health professional in collaboration, leadership, innovation, ethical practice and as a change agent
• Future challenges, globalisation, mega risks, societal influences
• Global to local governance frameworks for managing uncertainty
• Risk assessment and risk management frameworks in environmental health, including Health Impact Assessment (HIA), Driver, Pressure, State, Exposure, Effect, Action (DPSEEA), Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA)
• Evaluating and applying the appropriate approach to managing risks
• Role of quantitative and qualitative approaches as an evidence base for decision making
• Systems based thinking, interdisciplinary, transdisciplinary and cross disciplinary approaches
• The environmental health professional in collaboration, leadership, innovation, ethical practice and as a change agent
• Future challenges, globalisation, mega risks, societal influences
Study resources
- Reading materials and references.
Reading materials
A list of reading materials and/or required texts will be made available in the Unit Outline.
References
Friis H., 2019 Essentials of Environmental Health, 3rd edn, Jones & Bartlett Learning, Sudbury, MA
Lin, V., Smith, J., Fawkes, S., Robinson, P., & Gifford, S. 2014 Public health practice in Australia: the organised effort, 2nd edn, Allen & Unwin, Crows Nest
Harris, J., Brown, V. A., & Russell, J. 2010 Tackling Wicked Problems: Through the Transdisciplinary Imagination, Routledge, London
Lin, V., Smith, J., Fawkes, S., Robinson, P., & Gifford, S. 2014 Public health practice in Australia: the organised effort, 2nd edn, Allen & Unwin, Crows Nest
Harris, J., Brown, V. A., & Russell, J. 2010 Tackling Wicked Problems: Through the Transdisciplinary Imagination, Routledge, London