Course Title: Conduct field research into natural and cultural resources
Part B: Course Detail
Teaching Period: Term1 2015
Course Code: ENVI5076C
Course Title: Conduct field research into natural and cultural resources
School: 155T Vocational Health and Sciences
Campus: City Campus
Program: C5305 - Diploma of Conservation and Land Management
Course Contact: Namrita Kaul
Course Contact Phone: +61 3 9925 4309
Course Contact Email: namrita.kaul@rmit.edu.au
Name and Contact Details of All Other Relevant Staff
The teacher for this Course is Bruce Partland
Contact details:
Phone: 99258323
e-mail: bruce.partland@rmit.edu.au
Nominal Hours: 200
Regardless of the mode of delivery, represent a guide to the relative teaching time and student effort required to successfully achieve a particular competency/module. This may include not only scheduled classes or workplace visits but also the amount of effort required to undertake, evaluate and complete all assessment requirements, including any non-classroom activities.
Pre-requisites and Co-requisites
There are none
Course Description
This unit covers the process of conducting field research into natural resource and cultural areas for resource management and related purposes and defines the standard required to: use a range of electronic and manual recording systems to support research; identify stakeholders including current tenure, Indigenous history and community interest; review existing knowledge; develop research objectives, staff, resources and design; conduct field investigations to investigate impacts on fauna, flora and natural resources of the site; report on the field investigation.
National Codes, Titles, Elements and Performance Criteria
National Element Code & Title: |
AHCILM501A Conduct field research into natural and cultural resources |
Element: |
1. Review existing knowledge |
Performance Criteria: |
1.1. Existing information gathered through investigation and enterprise recording processes is examined to determine key features. |
Element: |
2.Identify stakeholders |
Performance Criteria: |
2.1. Stakeholders are identified in conjunction with local communities and groups, and government documentation and interviews. |
Element: |
3. Develop research approach |
Performance Criteria: |
3.1. Objectives of the field research are determined in conjunction with those commissioning the research according to enterprise procedures. |
Element: |
4. Conduct field investigations |
Performance Criteria: |
4.1. Consultation and fieldwork undertaken to obtain information required to meet investigation objectives. |
Element: |
5. Develop process for involving decision makers |
Performance Criteria: |
5.1. Information on stakeholders is used to determine interests held by organisations, groups and individuals, and cultural dimensions. |
Element: |
6. Report on the field investigation |
Performance Criteria: |
6.1. Stakeholders are consulted on draft findings. |
Learning Outcomes
Details of Learning Activities
1. Classroom-based lectures (see Timetable)
2. Self-directed research in computer labs, libraries (Koorie Heritage Trust, State and RMIT), usually during class time.
3. Short Field trips during class time
4. One 1 day field trip to Bundoora RMIT to assess Scarred Trees (see Timetable)
5. A compulsory 5 day field trip to conduct research. This will take place from Monday 4th May - Friday 8th May.
You should plan well in advance to attend this Field Trip. It will difficult to complete the requirements of this Course if you are unable to attend.
Teaching Schedule
Course: ENVI5076C: Conduct field research into natural & cultural resources
Week 1
9/2: Introduction
Overview: Aboriginal history with emphasis on Victoria
What are ‘natural’ and ‘cultural resources’? What is a “sacred site”?
Where are you from? (Aboriginal place names; Clan & Language groups; Cultural sites)
Guest Speaker Mick Edwards: "Where I’m from"
Self-guided research in Computer Room: "Where I’m from"
Introduction to Reading 1
11/2
Discussion arising from Reading 1 (Sacred Geography)
Mini assessment 1 (Ungraded:CA/NYC)(Student presentations): "Where I’m from"
Week 2
16/2 Mini assessment 1 (Ungraded:CA/NYC)(Student presentations): "Where I’m from"
Intro to State Library and research topics
18/2 Review Existing Knowledge (1)
Cultural heritage; ICOMOS; Burra Charter; Indigenous Heritage; Statements of significance;
Online Quiz completed in class (Definitions ): Components of Cultural Heritage & it’s application
Week 3
23/2 Review existing knowledge / Sources of knowledge (2)
Visit to State Library (Readings, oral histories, old photos, Diaries, Reports, Historic artwork, manuscripts, settlement of Melbourne.etc.
Worksheet
25/2 Library research skills: RMIT Library seminar
Mini Assessment 2 (Online Quiz)(Graded): Cultural Resources: Cultural resources Toolbox: Stone Tools; Coastal and Freshwater middens, Historic places; Scar Trees etc
Week 4
2 /3 Melbourne Museum: Bunjilaka (Worksheet related to 1. Review existing knowledge)
4/3 Online Discussion
Protocols; Identifying stakeholders; Permissions; Hunting down resources / Accessing research material; Putting together a culturally appropriate tourist enterprize
Week 5
9/3 LABOUR DAY- no class
11/3 Conducting Field investigations: Preliminary research (Wurundjeri)
First Australians DVD
Readings: Presland; Scar tree manual; Scar Tree Brochure; Bundoora site map etc
Week 6
16/3 Wurundjeri: Cultural awareness F/Trip
18/3 Reflection on Cultural awareness day
Introduction to Scar tree resources; Identify Groups
Week 7
23/3 Mini Assessment 4: (Graded) Develop a research approach for the assessment of Scarred trees at Bundoora RMIT
Group assignment, with resources including 1. Identified Scar trees (map); 2. Scar tree brochure 3. Scar Tree Manual 4. Photos
25/3 Research approach presentations by Groups.
Week 8
31/3 Field Trip :Conducting Field Investigations (2)- Bundoora Site visit (10am-3pm):
Cultural site recognition, recording and conservation (Scarred Trees)
1 /4: Koorie Heritage Trust: Collections, Purpose, research facilities
Week 9
13/4 Legislation: Native Title: The Eddie Mabo story and beyond..
The Aboriginal Heritage Act 2008 (AAV Guest speaker)
15/4 . Mini Assessment 5 (Graded) Student research exercise): RAP’s, Native Title, NT Rights and interests
Assessment 2: Research Project due: 17th April
Week 10
20/4 Research existing knowledge 1 (Gunditjmara)
Some History: Critchett; Pascoe; GA Robinson and others.
22/4Research existing knowledge 1. (Gunditjmara):
EVC’s; Interactive Biodiversity maps; Transient resources: Plants and animal resources
Human imposed patterns on the landscape; Housing; History; Vegetation patterns; Geology; Clan estates; Resource availability; etc
Week 11
27/4 Review existing Knowledge 2 (Gunditjmara)
Field Trip organization
29/4 Research existing Knowledge 2. (Gunditjmara):
Relationships between Geology and Flora / Fauna;
Final preparations for Heywood field trip
Week 12
4-8th May 5 Day Field trip to Gunditjmara Country via Western District cultural landscape.
Week 13
11/5 Reflection on Field Trip: Online discussion
13/5 Review knowledge: SW Victoria- a cultural landscape?
Resources: availability, seasonality, sustainability.
Intro to Aboriginal use of Fire Readings
Week 14
18/5Fire behaviour in the Australian environment
Guest speaker (TBA)
20/5. Fire as a cultural tool
Mini Assessment 5 : (In class exercise)
Week 15
25/5 Seminar: An alternative perspective on history
Guest speakers (TBA)
27/5 Research existing knowledge:
Koorie Heritage Trust (Literature Review pertaining to Gunditjmara)
Week 16
1/6 Self-guided research: Working on Assignments
Presentations (Alternative assessment 3)
3/6 Presentations (Alternative assessment 3)
5/6 Assessment 3: Major Report Due
Learning Resources
Prescribed Texts
Dark Emu, Black Seeds: Agriculture or accident? by Bruce Pascoe |
9781922142436 |
The people of Budj Bim: Engineers of aquaculture, builders of stone house settlements and warriors defending Country, by the Gunditjmara people with Gib Wettenhall |
978-0-9757778 |
References
The following References provide a good background to the Course, and some aspects of Victorian Aboriginal history and land -use patterns. They will be introduced at appropriate times during the Semester. |
|
Presland, Gary, First People: The Eastern Kulin of Melbourne, Port Phillip and Central Victoria, Melbourne: Museum Victoria, 2010 |
|
Eidelson, Meyer, The Melbourne Dreaming: A Guide to the Aboriginal Places of Melbourne, Canberrra, Aborignal Studies Press, 1997 |
|
Sherwood J, Critchett J and O’Toole, K. Settlement of the Western District, From pre-historic times to the present. (Proceedings of a public lecture series held in Warrnambool, 3rd October 1984) |
|
O’Dea, Kerin. Traditional diet and food preferences of Australian Aboriginal hunter-gatherers. Phil.Trans. R.Soc. London (1991) |
|
Gott, Beth. Fire as a management tool in South-eastern Australia. Conference Proceedings, Australian Bushfire Conference, Albury, July 1999. |
|
Gott, Beth and Conran, J. Victorian Koorie Plants-Some plants used by Victorian Koories for food, fibre, medicines and implements. Yangennanock Women's Group, Aboriginal Keeping Place, Hamilton, Vic 1991 |
|
Gunditjmara people with Gib Wettenhall. The people of Budj Bim:Engineers of aquaculture, builders of stone house settlements and warriors defending country. em Press, 2010. |
|
Gammage, Bill. The Biggest Estate on Earth: How Aborigines made Australia. Allen & Unwin, 2011 |
Other Resources
’The First Australians’ DVD set will give you an excellent background to Aboriginal history and issues. Includes a good overview of Wurundjeri (Woiwurrung) and Coranderrk.
’The Making of 10 canoes’ (Rolf de Heer) provides a fascinating study in the necessary protocols to be followed when researching or otherwise working with Indigenous communities.
The ’Cultural Resource Management Toolbox’ available online at https://www.dlsweb.rmit.edu.au/toolbox/cultresman/default.htm
Overview of Assessment
Assessment for this course may include reports, individual and group project work, tests and assignments
Assessment Tasks
ASSESSMENT SUMMARY:
Ungraded (Mini) Assessments (S/NYS) ):
1. Where I’m from (Class presentations) due 11th & 16th Feb
2. Cultural Resources (In-class Toolbox /online exercise) due 25 Feb
3. Develop a Research plan (Writeup of in-class workshop) due 25 March
4. Heritage & land Title legislation (In-class online quiz) due 22 April
5. Fire as a management tool (In-class online quiz) due 27 May
NB. The majority of the above mini-assessments, although ungraded, must be completed to a satisfactory standard in order to be able to gain an overall pass for Assessment 1. Most of them will be completed during class time. You will be given precise instructions on how to complete these exercises and Quizzes.Taken together they contribute to the background knowledge required to successfully complete the requirements of this Course.
Graded Assessments:
Assessment 2: Research Project (Bundoora scarred trees) due 17th April- 40%
Assessment 3 (5th June): Major Report based on Heywood Field Trip (60%)
NB Details of these Assessments will be given during the first class.
Assessment Matrix
Other Information
Assessment information
- Extension of time for submission of assessable work- A student may apply for an extension of up to 7 days from the original due date. They must lodge the application form (available on the web http://mams.rmit.edu.au/seca86tti4g4z.pdf ) at least the day before the due date. The application is lodged with the School Admin Office on Level 6, Bdg 51. Students requiring longer extensions must apply for Special Consideration (form available on the Web). For missed assessments such as exams- you (& your doctor if you are sick) must fill out a special consideration form. This form must be lodged at the HUB or online with supporting evidence (eg medical certificate), prior to, or within, 48 hours of the scheduled time of examination.
- Late work that is submitted without an application for an extension will not be corrected
- If you miss an assessment task due to unavoidable circumstances, you need to follow the procedure of special consideration and apply within the allowed time frame.
Course Overview: Access Course Overview