Natural Environments 1

Unit code:SOL1001Study level:Undergraduate

Credit points

12
(Generally, 1 credit = 10 hours of classes and independent study.)

Location

Footscray Park

Prerequisites

(Or equivalent to be determined by unit coordinator)
Co-requisites
(Corequisite units must be studied concurrently with this unit)

Overview

This unit introduces students to outdoor education/recreation history, theory and practice. Students engage in field based learning to develop the skills and knowledge required to prepare, participate and assist in the delivery of outdoor education/recreation activities. On completion of the unit students will have a broad knowledge of outdoor education/recreation concepts as well as a practical understanding of the breadth of the industry in Australia.

Off campus field teaching in this unit may require a levy for incidental fees for accommodation, transport and camping.

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this unit, students will be able to:

Articulate the importance of natural environments to health and wellbeing of individuals and communities, through the application of outdoor living and travel skills in tracked bush environments and grade 1 river environments;
Interpret the uniqueness of natural environments to better understand their significance, guide the preservation of diversity and ecological health;
Investigate historical and cultural connections to natural environments;
Exhibit knowledge of the history and breadth of the outdoor education and recreation industry; and
Participate in an academic community through reflective and critical engagement in academic texts and understanding of principles of academic integrity.

Assessment

For Melbourne campuses

Due to risk management and professional/industry requirements to demonstrate knowledge and skill within both simulated and workplace environments, graded attendance and hurdle tasks apply to field teaching and practicums.

Assessment type: Test | Grade: 20%

Completion of multiple choice questions relating to online content

Assessment type: Practicum | Grade: 30%

Field teaching 1 practical skills and knowledge (Hurdle)

Assessment type: Practicum | Grade: 20%

Field teaching 2 practical skills and knowledge (Hurdle)

Assessment type: Review | Grade: 30%

Written discussion - review of contextually specific resources and readings

Assessment type: Other | Grade: 0%

Evidence of completion of the Academic Integrity Modules (Hurdle)

All unit field practicums are Hurdle Tasks that must be successfully completed to pass the unit. Any failure to complete practicums due to extenuating circumstances such as ill health will require that the practicum be made up in a subsequent delivery. The 8 day outdoor Adventure programming for SOL1001 provides important teaching and learning activities and experiences that inform Practicum Assessment Tasks 2 and 3. Though the two practicum assessment tasks are informed by the SOL1001 outdoor adventure practicum experience, they target slightly different outcomes. Practicum 1 targets the importance of natural environments on human health and well-being that include cultural and historical perspectives. Practicum 2 has been designed to assess the key environmental attributes, adventure activities, and the significance of the area on how they inform minimal impact practices.

Field Classes require mandatory attendance of 100% attendance, except under extenuating circumstances. This is due to the unit being primary delivered in the context of an adventure activity and field based workshops. The theory and skills being delivered and assessed in this context are aimed at providing authentic experiences that can be directly related to industry. The unit does also contain a significant competency component, enabling students to acquire and demonstrate essential skills to meet industry practice (VU Standards for Assessment Procedure (HE) Policy clause 25, 26, 29).

Academic Integrity is an integral part of University skills. All four Academic Integrity Modules must be successfully completed in order to pass the unit.