NOTE: This course is only available to Study Abroad students, i.e it is not available to students enrolled in a degree program at UNSW. It is held for 6 weeks in June / July each year. To be eligible to enrol, students must be enrolled in an undergraduate program at an accredited university, with a minimum 2.8 GPA.

This 6 week short course is specifically designed for International students. The program provides a unique opportunity to consider human impacts on the natural environment, and measures to address these impacts, focusing particularly on protected conservation areas. Australia provides a valuable and unique case study in this regard. The course is contextualised within the global ecological crisis and considers the development of environmental values and awareness and describes environmental controversies and how they are addressed. In consideration of these issues, Australia’s unique flora and fauna are examined and the various climatically varied regions visited are highlighted throughout the course.

The program outlines and exposes students to the challenges in managing natural and cultural heritage in the 21st century. There is a strong emphasis on Aboriginal perspectives of the Australian landscape and its importance to this ancient culture. The program will familiarise participants with the spiritual and ecological ties of Aboriginal culture with the landscape and how this is incorporated in management of national parks.