EUB350 Asia in Focus

Unit Outline: Semester 1 2024, Kelvin Grove, Internal

Overview

This unit provides the opportunity to engage with a range of physical and human geography topics with Asia as the focus. A regional geography approach is used to explore and understand the features, elements and characteristics of the human and physical landscapes as well as the interconnection between Asian nations and Australia. A case study approach is used with topics include sustainability and liveability of places; natural and ecological hazard zones and the risks in these zones; population, urbanisation and the emergence of megacities; the unique and diverse physical environments and the relationships people have with places across Asia.

Utilising a range of geographical technologies, this unit provides valuable analytical skills, including spatial analysis, that are valued in a range of professions including regional planning, foreign affairs, journalism, environmental management, emergency services, hazard management, resource management and global security.

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this unit you will be able to:

1. Explain the geographical processes, both anthropogenic and natural, that have shaped the identity of places and resulted in geographical patterns in the Asia region.
2. Interpret and represent spatial and temporal patterns of geographical phenomena across the Asia region using geographical technologies, including spatial tools.
3. Analyse geographical data and information to identify contemporary geographical challenges in the Asia region resulting from the interactions between people and their environments, including the movement of people.
4. Synthesise data and information from a range of sources.
5. Demonstrate effective communication using geographical terminology, cartographic and graphic representations as appropriate.

Content

Learning Approaches

In this unit you will learn through engaging in the following:

• Lectures;
• Tutorials with a student-centred approach to learning;
• The use of case studies to develop interpretation and analytical skills; and
• The use of various technologies, including spatial technologies to create interactive maps.

Feedback on Learning and Assessment

You will gain feedback in this unit by participating in weekly tutorials and completing the case study activities as well as by evaluating your achievement in attaining the learning goals established throughout the course. You will also receive summative, written feedback on Assessment 1 where the Learning Outcomes 1- 5 will be represented in criterion.

Assessment

Overview

There are two assessment tasks in this unit a follows:

Assessment 1: An interactive map

Assessment 2: An examination with some questions requiring short responses and other questions requiring extended responses to a stimulus.

Unit Grading Scheme

7- point scale

Assessment Tasks

Assessment: Interactive map

An interactive map is a digital representation of a place used to show your understanding of the interactions between people and their environment and the impact of those interactions. The focus is on the analysis of geographical data and information that identifies the processes, anthropogenic and/or natural, that have shaped the identity of places and resulted in geographical patterns over space and time and resultant challenges to sustainability or liveability.

This task will assess your:

1. Ability to represent spatial and temporal patterns of geographical phenomena.
2. Analysis of geographical data and information to identify a contemporary geographical challenge related to sustainability or liveability for a place in Asia.
3. Synthesis of data and information from a range of sources.
4. Communication using geographical terminology, cartographic and graphic representations as appropriate for the interactive map format.

This is an assignment for the purposes of an extension.

Assessment: Exam, short and ext responses

An examination comprised of:

Short responses from recalled knowledge and in response to stimulus. May include questions that require cartographic responses.

Extended responses in response to stimulus.

This task will assess your:

1. Understanding of the geographical processes that shape the identity of places and result in geographical patterns.
2. Ability to interpret and represent spatial information.
3. Analysis of geographical data and information.

Communication of geographical understanding using appropriate geographical terminology and cartographic representations.

Academic Integrity

Students are expected to engage in learning and assessment at QUT with honesty, transparency and fairness. Maintaining academic integrity means upholding these principles and demonstrating valuable professional capabilities based on ethical foundations.

Failure to maintain academic integrity can take many forms. It includes cheating in examinations, plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion, and submitting an assessment item completed by another person (e.g. contract cheating). It can also include providing your assessment to another entity, such as to a person or website.

You are encouraged to make use of QUT’s learning support services, resources and tools to assure the academic integrity of your assessment. This includes the use of text matching software that may be available to assist with self-assessing your academic integrity as part of the assessment submission process.

Further details of QUT’s approach to academic integrity are outlined in the Academic integrity policy and the Student Code of Conduct. Breaching QUT’s Academic integrity policy is regarded as student misconduct and can lead to the imposition of penalties ranging from a grade reduction to exclusion from QUT.

Resources

Resource Materials

Other

There are no required resource materials for this unit.

Risk Assessment Statement

There are no out-of-the-ordinary risks associated with general participation in this unit. Workplace Health and Safety protocols associated with computer use will apply.