Course Title: Participate in environmentally sustainable work practices
Part B: Course Detail
Teaching Period: Term1 2016
Course Code: EASC5049C
Course Title: Participate in environmentally sustainable work practices
School: 350T Fashion & Textiles
Campus: Brunswick Campus
Program: C4219 - Certificate IV in Fashion and Textiles Merchandising
Course Contact : Katrina Rose
Course Contact Phone: 9925 9138
Course Contact Email:katrina.rose@rmit.edu.au
Name and Contact Details of All Other Relevant Staff
Fabia Pryor
Nominal Hours: 30
Regardless of the mode of delivery, represent a guide to the relative teaching time and student effort required to successfully achieve a particular competency/module. This may include not only scheduled classes or workplace visits but also the amount of effort required to undertake, evaluate and complete all assessment requirements, including any non-classroom activities.
Pre-requisites and Co-requisites
None
Course Description
This unit covers the outcomes required to effectively analyse the workplace in relation to environmentally sustainable work practices and to implement improvements and monitor their effectiveness.
National Codes, Titles, Elements and Performance Criteria
National Element Code & Title: |
MSAENV272B Participate in environmentally sustainable work practices |
Element: |
1. Identify current resource use and environment issues |
Performance Criteria: |
1.1 Identify environmental regulations applying to the enterprise. |
Element: |
2. Comply with environmental regulations |
Performance Criteria: |
2.1 Seek input from stakeholders, key personnel and specialist. |
Element: |
3. Seek opportunities to improve environmental practices and resource efficiency |
Performance Criteria: |
3.1 Source techniques/tools to assist in achieving targets. |
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this course you will have developed and applied the skills and knowledge required to demonstrate competency in the above elements.
Details of Learning Activities
Students will participate in a variety of learning activities including: lectures, tutorials, class discussion, group activities, work sheets, analysis of case studies, research and report writing.
Teaching Schedule
Week 1:
Introduction to unit, course guide, assessment requirements.
Group activity – in small groups list all the things you do in your everyday life home/work that you think are sustainable. Define what you think sustainability is. Definitions are presented to class by groups.
Watch – The story of stuff and complete questionnaire
Homework – Calculate your ecological footprint - How many planets do you need to sustain your lifestyle?
http://www.epa.vic.gov.au/ecologicalfootprint/globalfootprint/index.asp
Week 2:
What is an ecological footprint – in small groups discuss findings and List 3 things you could change to reduce your footprint.
What’s driving sustainability? International and local agendas
Group activity – envision the future. 30 years from now (2043). Probable and preferable, discuss with class
Week 3:
Ethics & Fashion Production a Global Perspective
Human Rights and Workers Rights Issues in the industry
Fairtrade principles, CSR models, People, Planet, Profit, Cradle to Cradle principles, Product stewardship,
Week 4:
Ethics & Fashion Production in Australia, Auditing for Ethics
Week 5:
Fibres & sustainability – devils in disguise
Manufactured fibres, Natural Fibres and Fibre ‘alternatives’.
New textiles and Fabric Technologies
.
Week 6:
Life cycle assessment.
In small groups apply life cycle thinking for different objects.
Week 7:
Presentation brief handed out. Group allocation of topics for presentations, group topic and planning research, scheduled library time
Week 8:
Group topic and planning research, scheduled library time
Week 9:
Film: Wasteland - Reduce, reuse and recycle (+ rethink)Waste management strategies, waste disposal & resource efficiency issues.
The global textile recycling chain.
Week 10:
Identify resource use in own area: List all resources you use in your work area, describe, how they are used, in what quantities, consider waste and disposal.
Visualisation activity: How does sustainability work in your industry? Imagine an organisation in your industry, What would it look like? What would people be doing? What is best practice in your industry? What are the drivers, barriers and opportunities to change?
Week 11:
Develop an action plan: Using environmental management strategies develop plans to improve environmental practices in your working environment. This includes identifying areas for improvement and details about how your action plan is implemented
Week 12:
Presentations: Innovation in production
Fair Trade Principles
Corporate Social Responsibility
Week 13:
Presentations:
Big retail scan – corporate giants making a difference
Rethinking Fast – slow fashion/slow design
Week 14:
Presentations:
Packaging and design strategies
Life cycle analysis
Global Textile recycling chain
Week 15:
Ethical fashion organisations
Cradle to cradle principles
Local retail scan
Week 16:
Most significant change and journal submission
Learning Resources
Prescribed Texts
References
Other Resources
Recommended text: Sustainable Fashion & Textiles Design Journeys, Kate Fletcher
Recommended text: Eco-chic the fashion paradox, Sandy Black
Slow Living, Craig & Parkins
Sustainable Fashion: Why Now? Janet Hethorn & Connie Ulasewicz
Designers, visionaries & other stories, A collection of sustainable design essays, Jonathan Chapman & Nick Grant
Overview of Assessment
Detailed course and assessment requirements and information will be made available to you first week of class. Specific details will be explained to you during scheduled classes.
This course comprises both practical and theory components. You will be expected to attend and participate in class activities.
As well as class activities you will be required to undertake research and assessment practice outside of regular class times and participate in formal assessment tasks.
PLEASE NOTE: work that has not been authenticated during class as your own work will not be considered for assessment.
All assignments and tasks must be completed to be deemed competent.
Referencing must follow RMIT University regulations.
Assessment Tasks
There are 4 assessment tasks in this unit course:
1. Media article on a current sustainability issue - CA/NYC
2. Weekly Journal and Most Significant Change – CA/NYC
3. Action Plan - 60%
4. Group/Individual presentation - 40%
Assessment Matrix
Reflections on sustainability at LMFF email (10%) Sustainable Fashion Communication (20%) Environmental Management System Report (Group work) (50%) Press Release
(20%)
Investigate current practices in relation to resource usage. X X X
Set targets for improvements X
Implement performance improvement strategies.
Monitor performance. X X
Communicate performance X X
Course Overview: Access Course Overview