Program Overview

SUS512 - Sustainability, Ecology and Communities

Overview

The unit provides a comprehensive understanding of the principal concepts and theories of Systems thinking and Resilience thinking and their application to sustainability.

Offerings

• MURDOCH-S1-FACE2FACE-2025-ONGOING
  • Teaching period code: Semester 1-S1
  • Location: Murdoch
  • Attendance mode: Face to Face
  • Start year: 2025
  • End year: Ongoing
  • Self enrol: Yes
• MURDOCH-S1-ONLINEFLEX-2025-ONGOING
  • Teaching period code: Semester 1-S1
  • Location: Murdoch
  • Attendance mode: Online Flexible
  • Start year: 2025
  • End year: Ongoing
  • Self enrol: Yes
• MURDOCH-S2-FACE2FACE-2025-ONGOING
  • Teaching period code: Semester 2-S2
  • Location: Murdoch
  • Attendance mode: Face to Face
  • Start year: 2025
  • End year: Ongoing
  • Self enrol: Yes
• MURDOCH-S2-ONLINEFLEX-2025-ONGOING
  • Teaching period code: Semester 2-S2
  • Location: Murdoch
  • Attendance mode: Online Flexible
  • Start year: 2025
  • End year: Ongoing
  • Self enrol: Yes

Requisites

Exclusion

• STP612
• 4 cp
• Sustainability, Ecology and Communities

Enrolment Rules

Enrolment priority is given to students of M1214 Master of Sustainable Development and M1212 Master of Community Development.

Learning Outcomes

1. Demonstrate a critical understanding of the principal concepts and theories of Systems thinking and Resilience thinking and their application to sustainability.
2. Evaluate the multiple trans-disciplinary perspectives which can be brought to bear in responding imaginatively to sustainability problems and in developing sustainability solutions.
3. Analyse the range of evidence, tools and processes to implement sustainability through Government, Business and Community sectors.
4. Develop creative sustainability solutions, based on a range of policy tools and a range of models of change.
5. Work both independently, and collaboratively and respectfully with a range of people.
6. Communicate effectively both orally and in writing.

Unit Content

The unit is arranged in four modules of 3 topics each:

• Module One: Introduction to Systems Thinking
  • Topic 1: Introduction to Systems Thinking
  • Topic 2: Applying Systems Thinking to Sustainability
  • Topic 3: Applying Systems Thinking to the Socio-Ecological System Resilience
• Module Two: Sustainability in Government
  • Topic 3: A systems approach to implementing sustainability through Government
  • Topic 4: Tool: Planning & Policy-Making for Sustainability
  • Topic 5: Taking it further: Participation and Partnerships for Sustainability
• Module Three: Sustainability in Business
  • Topic 7: A systems approach to implementing sustainability in Business
  • Topic 8: Tool: Measuring and Assessing Sustainability
  • Topic 9: Taking it further: Innovation and Leadership for Sustainability
• Module Four: Sustainability in Civil Society
  • Topic 10: A systems approach to implementing sustainability in Civil Society
  • Topic 11: Tool: Behaviour Change in Communities and Individuals
  • Topic 12: Taking it further: Visioning and Actioning a Sustainable Future

Unit Details

• Unit version: 33
• Version start date: 01/01/2026
• Owning college: College of Law, Arts and Social Sciences
• Owning school: Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences
• Credit points: 3