The Course
Unit 3's focus is the ecological, historical and social contexts of relationships between humans and outdoor environments in Australia. Case studies of impacts on outdoor environments are examined in the context of the changing nature of human relationships with outdoor environments in Australia.
Unit 4 explores the sustainable use and management of outdoor environments. Students examine the contemporary state of environments in Australia, consider the importance of healthy outdoor environments, and examine the issues in relation to the capacity of outdoor environments to support the future needs of the Australian population. A major focus is on how decision pertaining to the environment are made and how people influence these decisions.
Unit 3 Topics
- an overview of Australian outdoor environments before humans, including characteristics of biological isolation, geological stability, and climatic variations
- relationships with Australian outdoor environments expressed by specific Indigenous communities before and after European colonisation.
- relationships with Australian outdoor environments as influenced by:the first non-Indigenous settlers' experiences, increasing population, industrialisation and nation building
- the foundation and role of environmental movements in changing relationships with outdoor environments, in relation to at least one of the major conservation groups.
- contemporary societal relationships with outdoor environments reflected in different forms of conservation, recreation, primary industries, and tourism practices
- the factors influencing contemporary societal relationships with outdoor environments, including: - the effects of different technologies - commercialisation of outdoor environments and outdoor experiences - portrayals of outdoor environments and outdoor experiences in the media, music, art, writing and advertising - social responses to risk taking - social and political discourses about climate change, water management, biosecurity and other contemporary environmental issues.
Unit 4 Topics
- understandings and critiques of sustainability and sustainable development
- indicators of healthy outdoor environments.
- the contemporary state of outdoor environments in Australia, with reference to common themes used in State of the Environment reports
- the importance of healthy outdoor environments for individual physical and emotional wellbeing, and for the future of society
- the potential impact on society and outdoor environments of land degradation, introduced species, climate change, urbanisation and other significant threats.
- at least two conflicts of interest between people involved in uses of outdoor environments, including at least one of national significance
- the methods used by individuals and groups to influence decisions about the use of outdoor environments
- the decision-making processes followed by land managers and/or governments or their agencies relating to conflicting interests over the use of outdoor environments, including the role of the Victorian Environment Assessment Council (VEAC)
- management strategies and policies for achieving and maintaining healthy and sustainable outdoor environments that may be adopted by public and private land managers.
- at least two acts or conventions related to the management and sustainability of outdoor environments.
- actions undertaken to sustain healthy outdoor environments.
Learning and Assessment Activities
Unit 3 a coastal based camp with activities like sea kayaking or snorkeling and a bushwalk in Wilson's Promontory
Unit 4 a camp based on winter activities like skiing or snow boarding or another adventure activity.
These units lead to
TAFE courses related to outdoor recreation, tourism and adventure activities.
University courses in Outdoor Education or Environmental Education.
Special considerations
Participation in camps is essential to develop the student's understanding and knowledge gained on these camps in an essential part of School Assessed Coursework.
Costs involved
Annual cost $500 (to be confirmed)
Materials required
For further information see...
Study design link