Asia is one of the most important regions in the world for understanding pollution and environmental contamination. The region’s environmental challenges have been shaped over centuries by changing patterns of resource extraction, colonisation, trade, agriculture, industrialisation and urbanisation. These historical processes transformed landscapes and societies and left environmental legacies that continue to influence communities and ecosystems today. Many countries are still dealing with pollution left behind by historical mining, industrialisation and agricultural activities, while at the same time striving to support economic development, growing populations and environmental sustainability. These competing priorities raise important questions: How have societies understood and responded to pollution and environmental change over time? How has scientific evidence contributed to the development of environmental laws and policies? What is the difference between legacy and emerging contaminants, and how have our approaches to pollution changed over time? And what can we learn from history to better manage environmental challenges today?
In this course, you will tackle these questions by exploring how the relationship between people, development and pollution has changed across the Asia-Pacific over time, from colonisation and industrialisation to the Great Acceleration and the modern era of environmental regulation. You will investigate why pollution occurs, how contaminants move through air, water, soils and food webs, how climate change is reshaping environmental risks, and how governments, communities and scientists work together to protect ecosystems and human health.
Instead of approaching these challenges from a single discipline, you will combine perspectives from environmental science, chemistry, history, geography, policy and Indigenous knowledge systems. Through fieldwork, laboratory classes, real-world case studies, workshops and debates, you will investigate contaminated sites, use historical and scientific evidence to understand how environmental problems developed, evaluate competing environmental, social, cultural and economic priorities, and develop practical, evidence-based solutions to complex environmental problems.
By the end of the course, you will understand not only how pollution happens, but also how past human activities have shaped present-day environmental conditions, and how different forms of knowledge come together to investigate environmental change, support decision-making and create more sustainable futures. You will gain experience working across disciplines, communicating with diverse audiences, and addressing environmental challenges that no single discipline can solve alone.
No advanced scientific knowledge is required, just curiosity, a willingness to question assumptions, and an interest in understanding how science, history and policy can work together to solve real-world environmental problems.
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:
- Explain the historical, environmental, social and economic drivers of pollution and environmental change across the Asia-Pacific.
- Integrate perspectives from environmental science, history, policy, geography and Indigenous knowledge systems to investigate complex environmental challenges.
- Analyse pollution as a complex socio-environmental system by considering interactions between people, ecosystems, climate and governance.
- Evaluate evidence and competing stakeholder perspectives to develop sustainable approaches for preventing and managing pollution.
- Collaborate and communicate effectively across disciplinary backgrounds to develop and present evidence-based solutions to environmental challenges.
Work Integrated Learning
Projects
The course provides a strong Work Integrated Learning (WIL) experience by connecting students directly with environmental professionals and real-world pollution challenges. Teaching is delivered in collaboration with industry experts, including federal and state government regulators, environmental consultants, researchers and practitioners working directly on pollution assessment and management.
Through lectures, roundtables, field and laboratory activities, students engage with authentic case studies and investigate real-world environmental problems with input from practitioners. Assessment tasks reflect professional practice, requiring students to interpret environmental evidence, evaluate risks and uncertainties, consider stakeholder and regulatory perspectives, and develop evidence-based management strategies. These experiences develop practical, interdisciplinary and professional skills relevant to careers in environmental science, consulting, government, research and environmental management.
Other Information
As a multidisciplinary course, foundational knowledge from the relevant disciplines will be introduced throughout the course. No extensive prior knowledge in any particular discipline is required. Students are encouraged to bring curiosity, motivation, and a willingness to engage with different disciplinary perspectives.
The course includes a compulsory field trip in the Canberra region, which does not require any additional fees. Field-based teaching and learning is an integral part of the course, providing students with the opportunity to apply concepts and skills developed in the classroom to a real-world environmental setting.
As this is an intensive course, some adjustments that may be practical in semester-long courses, such as substantial deadline extensions or flexible attendance, may not always be feasible. However, the course has been designed to support student participation while maintaining its academic requirements and learning outcomes.
Students with an EAP, or who anticipate requiring adjustments, are encouraged to contact the Course Convenor as early as possible so that appropriate arrangements can be discussed.
Indicative Assessment
- Participation (10) [LO 1,2,4,5]
- Group oral presentation (20) [LO 1,2,4,5]
- Field and Laboratory Investigation Report (30) [LO 1,2,3,4]
- Environmental Management Strategy (40) [LO 1,2,3,4,5]
The ANU uses Turnitin to enhance student citation and referencing techniques, and to assess assignment submissions as a component of the University's approach to managing Academic Integrity. While the use of Turnitin is not mandatory, the ANU highly recommends Turnitin is used by both teaching staff and students. For additional information regarding Turnitin please visit the ANU Online website.
Workload
The expected workload will consist of approximately 130 hours throughout the session including:
- Face-to face component consisting of 65 hours of contact delivered intensively over 2 weeks comprising: lectures, practicals and field excursion;
- Approximately 65 hours of self directed study which will include preparation for lectures, presentations and other assessment tasks.
Students are expected to actively participate and contribute towards discussions.
Inherent Requirements
This course includes a field excursion.
For general information on field trips please visit: https://students.science.anu.edu.au/program-admin/college-science-field-trips
Requisite and Incompatibility
Prescribed Texts
All materials will be available on LMS prior to the start of the course.
Preliminary Reading
All indicative reading materials will be available on Canvas prior to the commencement of the course.
Assumed Knowledge
No specific prior disciplinary knowledge is assumed. As a multidisciplinary course, foundational concepts from environmental science, history, policy and related disciplines will be introduced as required. Students from a broad range of academic backgrounds are encouraged to enrol.
Students should have an interest in environmental issues and a willingness to engage with scientific evidence, historical sources and different disciplinary perspectives. Basic academic research, critical thinking and communication skills are recommended. Prior study in environmental science, history, archaeology, geography, sustainability, policy or related fields may be helpful but is not required.
Fees
Tuition fees are for the academic year indicated at the top of the page.
Commonwealth Support (CSP) Students
If you have been offered a Commonwealth supported place, your fees are set by the Australian Government for each course. At ANU 1 EFTSL is 48 units (normally 8 x 6-unit courses). More information about your student contribution amount for each course at Fees.
- Student Contribution Band:
- 2
- Unit value:
- 6 units
If you are a domestic graduate coursework student with a Domestic Tuition Fee (DTF) place or international student you will be required to pay course tuition fees (see below). Course tuition fees are indexed annually. Further information for domestic and international students about tuition and other fees can be found at Fees.
Where there is a unit range displayed for this course, not all unit options below may be available.
| Units | EFTSL |
|---|---|
| 6.00 | 0.12500 |
Course fees
- Domestic fee paying students
| Year | Fee |
|---|---|
| 2027 | $5040 |
- International fee paying students
| Year | Fee |
|---|---|
| 2027 | $7200 |
Offerings, Dates and Class Summary Links
ANU utilises MyTimetable to enable students to view the timetable for their enrolled courses, browse, then self-allocate to small teaching activities / tutorials so they can better plan their time. Find out more on the Timetable webpage.
Class summaries, if available, can be accessed by clicking on the View link for the relevant class number.
Winter Session
| Class number | Class start date | Last day to enrol | Census date | Class end date | Mode Of Delivery | Class Summary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6746 | 01 Jul 2027 | 23 Jul 2027 | 23 Jul 2027 | 30 Sep 2027 | In Person | N/A |