Course Title: Conduct field research into natural and cultural resources
Part B: Course Detail
Teaching Period: Term2 2012
Course Code: HUSO5098C
Course Title: Conduct field research into natural and cultural resources
School: 155T Vocational Health and Sciences
Campus: City Campus
Program: C5161 - Diploma of Conservation and Land Management
Course Contact: Bruce Partland
Course Contact Phone: +61 3 99258323
Course Contact Email: bruce.partland@rmit.edu.au
Name and Contact Details of All Other Relevant Staff
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
This Course is offered in the second year of the 2 year Diploma in Conservation & Land Management.
Successful completion of the Field Research element of this Course will require an awareness of past and contemporary Aboriginal issues, and a high degree of sensitivity in the planning, undertaking and reporting of the field research undertaken.
As such, attendance at all the initial Cultural Awareness activities listed in the Timetable, is ESSENTIAL. Non attendance will disqualify you from attending the Field Research activity and from any chance of successfully completing this Course.
Course Description
This competency standard covers the process of conducting field research into natural and cultural resources for resource management and related purposes. This work is often done prior to, or in conjunction with the development of a resource management plan. It requires the ability to review existing knowledge, identify stakeholders, develop a research approach, conduct field investigations, develop process for involving decision-makers and report on the field investigation. Conducting field research into natural and cultural resources requires knowledge of relevant legislation, charters, Codes of Practice relating to natural and cultural resource areas, ecology, geological and biological diversity, population dynamics and control approaches, accepted scientific processes and historical research processes, and links between Indigenous heritage and natural resources.
National Codes, Titles, Elements and Performance Criteria
National Element Code & Title: |
RTD5502A 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 field investigations |
Performance Criteria: |
6.1 Results of investigations are presented in a format that addresses the research objectives according to enterprise guidelines. |
Learning Outcomes
Details of Learning Activities
1. Cultural awareness activities (Bunjilaka at the Melbourne Museum; Wurundjeri land council and Koorie Heritage trust)
2. Establishing appropriate protocols for conducting research in the field
3. Familiarisation with relevant legislation
4. In class lectures on plants, animals, geology
5. Field trips to familiarise students with the range of cultural resources open to research.
6. A 5 day Field Trip to a culturally significant area to research the natural and cultural resources of an Aboriginal Group.
Teaching Schedule
Semester 1:
Tuesday: 2 hour lecture
Friday: 3 hour lecture and occassional all day Field Trip.
Learning Resources
Prescribed Texts
References
Other Resources
An array of Resources will be presented in class and on Blackboard.
HOWEVER it should be noted that an important component of this Course is the development of personal research skills.
Overview of Assessment
Assessment activities include:
1. An oral class presentation on an assigned topic;
2. Competent completion of a series of Worksheets associated with local field trips
3. Analysis of Field trip data
4. A major report on the 5 day Field Trip
5. A Research Plan for a hypothetical field research project.
For a Grade to be awarded in this Course competency must be achieved for all the above Assessment items listed above.
Assessment Tasks
1. A Research protocol (Marks available: 10)
2. Test (40)
3. Major report: A cultural landscape: Lifestyles and land-use patterns in response to resource availability in the western plains of victoria (50)
Assessment Matrix
Course Overview: Access Course Overview