Outline

Overview

The unit of study uses classroom and field-based learning to introduce students to the application of geographical concepts and methods to environmental and development problems in Asia-Pacific countries. The location and timing of this unit may change from year to year in accordance with the availability of lecturers and climatic considerations. In 2019, it will be run over two to three weeks in February, in India. This unit can be taken only with prior permission from the unit of study coordinator, and involves mandatory attendance at pre-departure briefings. You will learn skills and knowledge about: (1) India's environmental and development challenges at a national scale (2) processes of rural social, environmental and economic change; (3) the challenges of sustainable urbanisation; (4) social transformations in India, specifically relating to gender, migration and mobility, and class. The unit is conducted in partnership with pre-eminent Indian universities, who provide guest lectures as appropriate in addition to those by the unit of study coordinator. The unit will also expose students to civil society groups working on issues of geo-political, economic and environmental importance. By doing this unit you will develop skills and knowledge that are highly relevant to research and careers in the Asia-Pacific.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit	Geosciences Academic Operations
Credit points	6
Prerequisites ?	A mark of 75 or above in (GEOS2X21 or AREC2005 or GOVT2228 or GEOS2X11 or GEOS2X23 or GEOS2X16)
Corequisites ?	None
Prohibitions ?	GEOS3053
Assumed knowledge ?	None
Available to study abroad and exchange students	No

Teaching staff

Coordinator	Jeffrey Neilson, jeffrey.neilson@sydney.edu.au

Assessment

The census date for this unit availability is 3 July 2026

Details
Criteria

Type	Description	Weight	Due	Length	Use of AI
Interactive oral	Participation and discussion Students are assessed based on their involvement in discussion groups, interactions with guest speakers and local communities, and ability to verbally communicate ideas and observations to others.	20%	Ongoing	NA	AI prohibited
Outcomes assessed:
In-person written or creative task	In class test In-class and-written test involving short essays or extended responses to questions.	40%	Week 05 Due date: 25 Jul 2026 at 14:00	90 minutes	AI prohibited
Outcomes assessed:
Case studies	Field school report Individual Essay / Field Report	40%	Week 08 Due date: 10 Aug 2026 at 23:00 Closing date: 24 Aug 2026	3000 words	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
= hurdle task ?

Assessment summary

In-class short essays: Students will be asked to write short essays or short answer questions under exam-like conditions on the final day of the field school. These questions will assess the student鈥檚 understanding of key concepts explored during the field school.

Field school report: Students are required to write a report addressing a sustainable development challenge in Indonesia that draws upon both field observations and an exploration of background literature.听

Participation and Discussion: Students are assessed based on their involvement in discussion groups, interactions with guest speakers and local communities, and ability to verbally communicate ideas and observations to others.

Detailed information for each assessment, including due dates and submission instructions, can be found on Canvas.

Assessment criteria

The University awards common result grades, set out in the (Schedule 1).

As a general guide, a high distinction indicates work of an exceptional standard, a distinction a very high standard, a credit a good standard, and a pass an acceptable standard.

Result name	Mark range	Description
High distinction	85 - 100	听
Distinction	75 - 84	听
Credit	65 - 74	听
Pass	50 - 64	听
Fail	0 - 49	When you don鈥檛 meet the learning outcomes of the unit to a satisfactory standard.

For more information see .

For more information see guide to grades.

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI)

You can use generative AI tools for open assessments. Restrictions on AI use apply to secure, supervised assessments used to confirm if students have met specific learning outcomes.

Refer to the assessment table above to see if AI is allowed, for assessments in this unit and check Canvas for full instructions on assessment tasks and AI use.

If you use AI, you must always acknowledge it. Misusing AI may lead to a breach of the听Academic Integrity Policy.

Visit the听Current Students website听for more information on AI in assessments, including听details on how to acknowledge its use.

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

This unit has an exception to the standard University policy or supplementary information has been provided by the unit coordinator. This information is displayed below:

5% of possible mark per day for submitted work

Academic integrity

The University expects students to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.

Our website听provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. This includes advice on how to avoid common breaches of academic integrity. Ensure that you have completed the听Academic Honesty Education Module (AHEM)听which is mandatory for all commencing coursework students

Penalties for serious breaches can significantly impact your studies and your career after graduation. It is important that you speak with your unit coordinator if you need help with completing assessments.

Visit the听Current Students website听for more information on AI in assessments, including听details on how to acknowledge its use.

Learning support

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a听simple extension.鈥� The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can鈥檛 complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for听special consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students,听听includes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

Support for students

The Support for Students Policy听reflects the University鈥檚 commitment to supporting students in their academic journey and making the University safe for students. It is important that you read and understand this policy so that you are familiar with the range of support services available to you and understand how to engage with them.

The University uses email as its primary source of communication with students who need support under the Support for Students Policy. Make sure you check your University email regularly and respond to any communications received from the University.

Learning resources and detailed information about weekly assessment and learning activities can be accessed via Canvas. It is essential that you visit your unit of study Canvas site to ensure you are up to date with all of your tasks.

If you are having difficulties completing your studies, or are feeling unsure about your progress, we are here to help. You can access the support services offered by the University at any time:

Support and Services (including health and wellbeing services, financial support and learning support)
Course planning and administration
Meet with an Academic Adviser

Weekly schedule

WK	Topic	Learning activity	Learning outcomes
Multiple weeks	Stakeholder meetings, field experiences, lectures, and tutorials about sustainable development and agrarian change.	Fieldwork (100 hr)
Pre-semester	Predeparture seminars and cultural induction.	Seminar (4 hr)

Attendance and class requirements

Students are expected to participate in all activities,听complete all assessments and stay in Indonesia for the full duration of the field school.

高清福利片 commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester. For a 6 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 120-150 hours of student effort in total.

Required readings

To be provided on the Canvas site.

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University's graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

Outcomes
Graduate qualities

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

LO1. Demonstrate familiarity with key aspects of the Asia-Pacific region, including its cultures, history and geography and its political and economic systems
LO2. Demonstrate the ability to draw on insights provided by a range of disciplines when analysing complex real-world problems in an Asia-Pacific context
LO3. Present evidence-based arguments in academic, popular and policy styles
LO4. Work in interdisciplinary or intercultural groups to understand and deconstruct complex social issues.
LO5. Demonstrate an ability to analyse field-based observations through appropriate conceptual frameworks
LO6. Understand the practical challenges of addressing sustainability and poverty challenges in a global context
LO7. Interpret the significance and scope of ethical principles and apply these principles in exploring environmental, social and development challenges.

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all University of Sydney graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1	Depth of disciplinary expertise Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.
GQ2	Critical thinking and problem solving Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.
GQ3	Oral and written communication Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.
GQ4	Information and digital literacy Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.
GQ5	Inventiveness Generating novel ideas and solutions.
GQ6	Cultural competence Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.
GQ7	Interdisciplinary effectiveness Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.
GQ8	Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one鈥檚 personal and professional selves in an ethical context.
GQ9	Influence Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes	Graduate qualities
Learning outcomes

Responding to student feedback

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

Changes have been made to the field report task in response to suggestions from previous students, such that observations can be made during groups and structured activities instead of required independent field research. This will allow more time for the group activity. More reading time during the field school has been incorporated into the schedule.

Additional information

Additional costs

Students are required to purchase their own air tickets to the predetermined location in Southeast Asia. Students are also required to make a financial contribution towards the field school. This amount varies from year to year, but should not exceed $1000. Where possible, efforts will be made to access additional funding support and scholarships for students, but these cannot be guaranteed.

Work, health and safety

There are several inherent risks associated with international travel. A risk assessment has been conducted (through Field Friendly) in relation to the Indonesia field school, and control measures enacted to avoid, minimize and (if necessary) respond to any identified risks and events if they occur.

Students are required to attend pre-departure sessions where an important safety and cultural induction will be undertaken.

Students need to notify the course coordinator of any medical conditions that may affect their ability to fully participate听in the field school, which is both physically and mentally demanding.

Students should consult a qualified medical practioner well in adavnce of departure to ensure necessary health advice (such as vaccinations)听is followed.

Students are required to follow visa requirements as directed by the course coordinator.

You should read the general travel advisory for Indonesia from the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs (DFAT) at听.

Disclaimer

Important: the University of Sydney regularly reviews units of study and reserves the right to change the units of study available annually. To stay up to date on available study options, including unit of study details and availability, refer to the relevant handbook.

To help you understand common terms that we use at the University, we offer an .

高清福利片

Current students

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI)

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Support for students

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Attendance and class requirements

高清福利片 commitment

Required readings

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Additional information

Additional information

Additional costs

Work, health and safety

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links

GEOS3953: Asia-Pacific Field School (Advanced)

Intensive June - July, 2026 [Block mode] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI)

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Support for students

Weekly schedule

Attendance and class requirements

高清福利片 commitment

Required readings

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Additional information

Additional costs

Work, health and safety

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links