ED5913 - Communicating Sustainability and Climate Change

ED5913 is offered in external mode in Australia where lectures and tutorials are conducted online through Learn JCU; however some on-campus tutorials may be negotiated. This subject is available to all students who possess a relevant undergraduate degree or diploma approved by the Faculty of Science and Engineering and the Faculty of Arts, Education and Social Sciences.

Effectively communicating sustainability is one of the key challenges for our time. This subject will introduce you to a range of contemporary communication strategies and techniques based on an ethic of care for our socio-ecological future. In this subject, you will have the opportunity to explore different ways of developing and communicating ideas, feelings and actions that articulate sustainability values and achieve sustainability outcomes. Topics covered in this subject include communication design, analysis, planning and evaluation; interpretation and extension; science communication; and a case study exploring complex issues in climate change communication. Both traditional and digital forms for communicating sustainability are considered in this subject. ED5913 is an AQF level 9 subject that aims to consolidate your knowledge of socio-ecological systems and processes with a view to enhancing your capacity to understand and communicate for local, regional and global sustainability.

Learning Outcomes

• demonstrate familiarity with a diverse range of communication strategies, tools and materials;
• explain the general benefits of enhanced public understanding of issues of environmental, social and cultural significance, including climate change;
• understand the elements of successful communication to different groups of people;
• demonstrate a capacity to plan, develop, analyse and evaluate materials and/or programs for communicating sustainability.

Note: Minor variations might occur due to the continuous Subject quality improvement process, and in case of minor variation(s) in assessment details, the Subject Outline represents the latest official information.