Dealing with Uncertainty in Complex Environments
Duration
- One semester or equivalent
Contact hours
- 9 hours face to face + blended
On-campus unit delivery combines face-to-face and digital learning.
2023 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.
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 Learning Outcomes (ULO)
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 and content.
Teaching methods
Hawthorn
Type | Hours per week | Number of Weeks | Total |
On Campus Lecture | 3 | 3 | 9 |
| Online (asynchronous Lecture) | 3 | 9 | 27 |
Unspecified Activities Independent Learning | 9.5 | 12 | 114 |
TOTAL | 150 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 |
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.
Reading materials
A list of reading materials and/or required texts will be made available in the Unit Outline.