121-421 Social Impact Assessment

Credit Points

Coordinator

Prerequisites

Admission to 4th year Environmental Studies Honours, or to the Postgraduate Diploma or Masters programs in Environmental Studies.

Semester

Contact

Subject Description

The nature and range of the social impacts of development: including externalities, risk, benefit. Procedures for assessing social impacts of development. The role of various political formations (the state, non-government organisations and grass roots action) in regulating the social impacts of development. Community consultation and dispute resolution, particularly in relation to the different capacities of different sectors to deal with impacts. The relationship between economic restructuring and social impacts of development. The social survey techniques needed to undertake social impact assessments (quantitative and qualitative). The preparation of professional reports, tenders and assessments. This subject will provide students with the conceptual and technical skills to: understand the relationship between society and development; assess the social impact of development; and identify the techniques needed to undertake social impact assessments.

Assessment

Individual and group reports of up to 6000 words.