Course overview
More than 80 per cent of Australians live within the coastal zone and estimates show that approximately six per cent of Australian addresses are within three kilometres of the shoreline and in areas less than five metres above mean sea-level. The coast and marine environments are also hugely ecologically and culturally diverse, with a large number of important environmental, biological and heritage sites, such as the Great Barrier Reef, Ningaloo and the Great Australian Bight. Coastal and marine tourism and commercial fisheries make a significant contribution to the national economy. Yet all of these areas and values are under threat from climate change. Impacts include sea level rise, flooding, ocean acidification and warming and increased storms. This course introduces the key issues facing coastal and marine regions, and then, using a skills building teaching approach based on real life case studies, teaches students strategies, management frameworks and tools for managing and adapting to the current and future challenges climate change brings.
Course learning outcomes
- Demonstrate understanding of the links between conflict, coastal management and community development
- Demonstrate capacity to analyse and develop strategies to resolve conflict
- Develop communication skills in the area of coastal management and community development
- Demonstrated ability to work in a small group via participation in relevant discussion on coastal conflict situations and issues presented in tutorial groups either in writing or audio visually
- Demonstrate capacity to analyse different cultural contexts and how they may affect management