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ENV517 - Natural Resources and Indigenous Livelihoods

2025

Sector

Higher Education

Discipline

Environmental Science

Credit Points

Equivalent Units

(ENV402)

Prerequisites

Incompatible

Coerequisites

Assumed Knowledge

Must have completed 80 credit points of an AQF7 level qualification

Unit Description

Incorporating Australian and international examples, this unit explores the synergies between natural resource-based enterprise development and Indigenous livelihoods. The learning materials and assessment items provide coverage of the social, economic, cultural, policy and environmental context related to natural resource use (plants and animals and land- and sea-based enterprises) and aspects of Indigenous livelihood enterprise establishment, operation and sustainability. Key topics covered during the unit include: contribution of natural resources to Indigenous peoples; economic theory; sustainable livelihood frameworks; governance, business models and policy; sustainable harvests, and communication strategies.

Important Information

Online enrolment is not available for this unit due to the field trip requirements. Students are required to check enrolment availability with the lecturer. To enrol, complete the Special Enrolment form accessed via the eForms tile through CDU Portal .

Students attend a 5-day Darwin-based intensive, which includes lectures, discussions and field trips to experience first-hand, enterprises in a variety of cultural, environmental and commercial settings. Preparatory online activities and assignments are conducted before and after the intensive. The assessment items provide practical experience in planning new natural resource-based enterprises.

Unit Learning Outcomes

1.	Review and synthesise a knowledge of concepts and frameworks related to the use of natural resources by local communities.
2.	Articulate the significant contribution of natural resource use to livelihoods of local communities.
3.	Critique the social and political factors that govern natural resource commercialisation with enterprise development outcomes.
4.	Integrate and apply economic, ecological and policy tools in the management and commercial use of natural resources.
5.	Review and apply a range of appropriate strategies which could be used to effectively communicate to different audiences.

Assessment Overview

	Assessment Task	Value (of total mark)	Related Learning Outcome/s
1.	Critical analysis of readings (1,000 words)	10%	1,2
2.	Reflective Journal (2,500 words)	30%	1,2,3,4,5
3.	Presentation (10 minutes)	10%	1,2,3,4,5
4.	Simulated investment proposal for natural resource based enterprise (3,500 words)	50%	1,2,3,4

Unit Availability

Year	Semester	Att Mode	Location	Learning Method	Timetable*
2025	Semester 2	Internal	Casuarina Campus	ITV,OLS	View
2025	Semester 2	External	External Studies	ITV,OLR	View

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ITV: This unit will be delivered/part-delivered intensively in this teaching period rather than over the full semester.

OL/OLS: Supplementary material will be provided on-line through Learnline. For more information about Learnline, please click here.

OLR: Internet access is required for this unit as students are required to access study materials provided on-line through Learnline. Please log into Learnline on the first day of each teaching period. For more information about Learnline, please click here.

Critical Dates

Important Dates for Students

Fee Information:
Fees and Payments
Student Services and Amenities Fees
2025 Domestic Unit Fees (PDF)
2025 Incidental Fees (PDF)