GGH3705/101/3/2024

Tutorial Letter 101/3/2024

Assessing Environmental Impacts

GGH3705

Semesters 1 and 2

Department of Geography

IMPORTANT INFORMATION
Please register on myUnisa, activate your myLife e-mail account and make
sure that you have regular access to the myUnisa module website,
GGH3705-2024-S1/S2, as well as your group website

Note: This is a fully online module. It is, therefore, only available on myUnisa.

BARCODE
 CONTENTS
Page
1 INTRODUCTION ............................................................................................................... 4
1.1 What does it mean to study online? .................................................................................. 5
2 MODULE OVERVIEW ...................................................................................................... 5
2.1 Purpose ............................................................................................................................. 5
2.2 Outcomes .......................................................................................................................... 5
2.3 Critical cross-field outcomes ............................................................................................. 5
3 CURRICULUM TRANSFORMATION ............................................................................... 6
4 LECTURER(S) AND CONTACT DETAILS ...................................................................... 6
4.1 Lecturer(s) ......................................................................................................................... 6
4.2 Department ....................................................................................................................... 7
4.3 University .......................................................................................................................... 7
5 RESOURCES.................................................................................................................... 7
5.1 Prescribed book(s) ............................................................................................................ 7
5.2 Recommended book(s) ..................................................................................................... 8
5.3 Electronic reserves (e-reserves)........................................................................................ 8
5.4 Library services and resources information ....................................................................... 9
6 STUDENT SUPPORT SERVICES .................................................................................. 10
6.1 The Unisa First-Year Experience Programme ................................................................. 10
6.2 E-tutors............................................................................................................................ 11
6.3 Repeat students .............................................................................................................. 11
7 STUDY PLAN ................................................................................................................. 12
8 ASSESSMENT................................................................................................................ 12
8.1 Assessment criteria ......................................................................................................... 12
8.2 Assessment plan ............................................................................................................. 13
8.3 Assessment due dates .................................................................................................... 13
8.4 Submission of assessments ............................................................................................ 14
8.4.1 Types of assignments and descriptions .......................................................................... 15
8.5 The assessments ............................................................................................................ 15
8.6 The examination .............................................................................................................. 16
8.6.1 Invigilation/proctoring ...................................................................................................... 16
9 ACADEMIC DISHONESTY ............................................................................................. 17
9.1 Plagiarism ....................................................................................................................... 17
9.2 Cheating .......................................................................................................................... 17
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10 STUDENTS LIVING WITH DISABILITIES ...................................................................... 17

11 ETHICS STATEMENT .................................................................................................... 17
12 CONCLUSION ................................................................................................................ 18

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1 INTRODUCTION
Dear Student,

Unisa is a comprehensive open distance e-learning (CODeL) higher education institution. The
comprehensiveness of our curricula encapsulates a range of offerings ranging from strictly
vocational to strictly academic certificates, diplomas and degrees. Unisa's "openness" and its
distance eLearning character result in many students registering at Unisa who may not have had
an opportunity to enrol in higher education. Our CODeL character implies that our programmes
are carefully planned and structured to ensure success for students ranging from the under-
prepared but with potential to the sufficiently prepared.

Teaching and learning in a CODeL context involves multiple modes of delivery ranging from
blended learning to fully online. As a default position, all post graduate programmes are offered
fully online with no printed study materials, while undergraduate programmes are offered in a
blended mode of delivery where printed study materials are augmented with online teaching and
learning via the learner management system – myUnisa. In some instances, undergraduate
programmes are offered fully online as well.

Furthermore, our programmes are aligned with the vision, mission and values of the University.
Seeing that Unisa is committed to serving humanity and shaping futures, and appreciates its
location on the African continent, its graduates have distinctive qualities, which include:

• They are independent, resilient, responsible and caring citizens who are able to fulfil and
serve in multiple roles in their immediate and future local, national and global communities.
• Unisa graduates have a critical understanding of their location on the African continent with
its histories, challenges and potential in relation to globally diverse contexts.
• They are able to critically analyse and evaluate the credibility and usefulness of information
from multiple sources in a globalised world with ever-increasing information and data flows
and competing worldviews.
• Our graduates know how to apply their discipline-specific knowledge competently, ethically
and creatively to solve real-life problems.
• They are aware of their own learning and developmental needs and future potential.

Welcome to the module Assessing Environmental Impacts (GGH3705). This module is an

introduction to the theory and practice of environmental assessment in a variety of geographical
contexts. In this module, you will be introduced to a number of environmental assessment
processes such as screening; scoping; stakeholder involvement; environmental impact
assessment; strategic environmental assessment; social impact assessment; and decision-
making, as well as the challenges associated with applying these processes. We hope that the
knowledge and skills you acquire from this module will inspire you to take an active interest in the
environment.

Environmental assessment has application in the real world. Since you have chosen this module,
we assume that you are already taking a keen interest in environmental issues in your country.
In this module, case studies will represent various geographical contexts to help you understand
how environmental assessment processes are implemented in the real world. We also encourage
you to research your own case studies and examples by using popular media such as television,
radio, newspapers, magazines and the internet. You will be expected to use these case studies
in your assignments and portfolio, as well as the activities and self-assessment questions in the
learning material. Case studies will require you to apply your understanding of environmental
assessment processes in various geographical contexts. Your knowledge of the various
environmental assessment processes is of no use if you cannot apply them in a range of contexts.

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You need to take note of three important features of this module:

• The module is blended (meaning that we use a combination of printed and online material
to engage with you).
• The module is taught online (through myUnisa).
• Assessment for this module is in the form of assignments and a portfolio.
1.1 What does it mean to study online?

This module is taught online through myUnisa, which means that it is different from some of your
other modules at Unisa.

• Designed for online: The module is designed for an online environment. All your learning
materials and learning activities are on myUnisa.
• Submit assignments via myUnisa: Complete all your learning activities and submit all
your assignments via myUnisa. Assignments submitted in hard copy will not be accepted
for this module.
• Participate in learning activities: The learning activities in this module are designed to
be carried out in the myUnisa environment. That means you will receive feedback from
your peers and lecturers, and you can learn in an interactive environment that is enriched
through student participation.
• Online communication: All communication between you and the university will take place
online via e-mail and myUnisa under Discussions. You can use all these ways to ask
questions and contact the lecturer. It also means that your lecturer will communicate with
you in the same way via e-mail or the Announcements and Discussions tools on the
myUnisa module site.

2 MODULE OVERVIEW
2.1 Purpose

The purpose of the module is to give you a solid grounding in environmental assessment
processes in a variety of geographical contexts, and to employ critical perspectives and ethical
environmental practices conducive to future sustainable development.
2.2 Outcomes

The following outcomes are expected of you:

• To identify and apply appropriate environmental assessment processes in various

geographical contexts.
• To identify and discuss the challenges associated with the application of environmental
assessment processes in different geographical contexts.
• To appraise the environmental assessment quality in different geographical contexts.
• To situate environmental assessment within the broader context of the environment,
sustainable development and environmental impacts.

In each of the learning units, specific outcomes were formulated to support the module outcomes.

2.3 Critical cross-field outcomes

The important skills you acquire in the course of this module will encourage you to develop further.
These skills are based on the National Qualifications Framework (NQF) Level 7 outcomes, and
include the ability to do the following:

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 • Demonstrate knowledge of the central areas of environmental assessment through the
application and evaluation of key terms, concepts and theories related to environmental
assessment.
• Think critically about and evaluate the application and value of environmental assessment
processes.
• Know how a range of methods related to environmental assessment processes should be
applied in practice, and evaluate their suitability for specific contexts.
• Identify, analyse, evaluate, critically reflect on and deal with problems related to
environmental assessment while recognising that problem-solving is context and system
bound.
• Apply theory-driven arguments and evidence-based solutions to case studies.
• Demonstrate that you can act ethically and professionally when you make decisions, and
that you can justify your decisions based on ethical values.
• Gather, evaluate, manage and independently validate appropriate sources of information.
• Use an appropriate academic and professional style and discourse in communicating
information.
• Identify, evaluate and meet your own learning needs in a self-directed way.
• Take full responsibility for your own work, decision-making and use of resources.

3 CURRICULUM TRANSFORMATION
Unisa has implemented a transformation charter in terms of which the university has placed
curriculum transformation high on the teaching and learning agenda. Curriculum transformation
includes student-centred scholarship; the pedagogical renewal of teaching and assessment
practices; the scholarship of teaching and learning; and the infusion of African epistemologies
and philosophies. All of these will be phased in at both programme and module levels, and as a
result of this, you will notice a marked change in the teaching and learning strategy implemented
by Unisa, together with the way in which the content is conceptualised in your modules. We
encourage you to embrace these changes during your studies at Unisa in a responsive way within
the framework of transformation.

4 LECTURER(S) AND CONTACT DETAILS

4.1 Lecturer(s)

The lecturer’s contact details will be made available on the Welcome Page on myUnisa upon the
commencement of the semester.

If you wish to contact the lecturer, you may do so in any one of the following ways (in order of
preference):
• E-mail: This is an easy, reliable and effective method of communicating with us. Always
include the module code and your student number in the subject line of your e-mail. You
are required to send all e-mail communication from your myLife student e-mail account.
• Telephone: Unisa’s telephone system permits you to contact each lecturer with your
queries. When contacting us by phone, ensure that you have your learning material at hand
for quick referral. Take note that we may not always be available to answer the phone
because of meetings, conferences, research, leave or illness. If your phone call is not
answered immediately, try again later and follow up with an e-mail.
• Appointments in person or via MS Teams: As this module requires you to work through
the learning material on your own, you should not need us to explain the content to you.

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Nevertheless, you are welcome to make an appointment to visit us in our offices by

scheduling an online consultation at least three days in advance. Ensure that you are well
prepared for an appointment and know what you want to ask.

When contacting us with a query, ensure that your question is specific and clear, and that you
have your learning material with you for ease of reference. Please ensure that you send
professional e-mails from your myLife e-mail account according to university procedure.

Note: You should discuss academic problems with us as soon as possible. Do not wait until the
due date for an assessment to contact us. Please manage your time accordingly as crisis
management will affect your learning experience and overall academic success.

4.2 Department

You can contact the Department of Geography at the following address and telephone number:

Department of Geography
Calabash Building (B block), ground floor
Unisa Science Campus
Cnr Christiaan de Wet and Pioneer avenues
Private Bag X6
Florida, Johannesburg
1710

Departmental Administrative officer: Student Support

Ms S Kuhlase
Tel: +27(0) 11 471 3549
E-mail: kuhlasv1@unisa.ac.za

4.3 University

If you need to contact the university about matters not related to the content of this module, refer
to the brochure Study @ Unisa, which you received with your learning material. Remember to
have your student number available whenever you contact the university.

The contact addresses of the various administrative departments appear on the Unisa website:
http://www.unisa.ac.za/sites/corporate/default/Contact-us/Student-enquiries

Please include your student number in all correspondence.

5 RESOURCES
5.1 Prescribed book(s)

The prescribed book for this module is:

Aucamp, PJ. 2009. Environmental impact assessment: a practical guide for the discerning
practitioner. Pretoria: Van Schaik.

This book should be used in conjunction with the learning units on myUnisa, which contain
recently published topic-related sources. It is important that you buy this book immediately.
Prescribed books can be obtained from the university’s official booksellers. Refer to the list of

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official booksellers and their addresses in Study @ Unisa. If you have difficulty finding the book
at these booksellers, contact vospresc@unisa.ac.za.

5.2 Recommended book(s)

There are no recommended books for this module.

5.3 Electronic reserves (e-reserves)

The electronic reserves for this module are as follows:

• Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism (DEAT). 2002. IEM Information Series
1: Screening.
https://www.environment.gov.za/sites/default/files/docs/series1_screening.pdf
• Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism (DEAT). 2002. IEM Information Series
2: Scoping. https://www.environment.gov.za/sites/default/files/docs/series2_scoping.pdf
• Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism (DEAT). 2002. IEM Information Series
3: Stakeholder Engagement.
https://www.environment.gov.za/sites/default/files/docs/series3_stakeholder_engagemen
t.pdf
• Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism (DEAT). 2002. IEM Information Series
4: Specialist Studies.
https://www.environment.gov.za/sites/default/files/docs/series4_speialist_studies.pdf
• Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism (DEAT). 2002. IEM Information Series
5: Impact Significance.
https://www.environment.gov.za/sites/default/files/docs/series5_impact_significance.pdf
• Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism (DEAT). 2002. IEM Information Series
6: Ecological Risk Assessment.
https://www.environment.gov.za/sites/default/files/docs/series6_ecological_riskassessme
nt.pdf
• Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism (DEAT). 2004. IEM Information Series
7: Cumulative Effects Assessment.
https://www.environment.gov.za/sites/default/files/docs/series7_cumulative_effects_asse
ssment.pdf
• Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism (DEAT). 2004. IEM Information Series
8: Cost Benefit Analysis.
https://www.environment.gov.za/sites/default/files/docs/series8_costbenefit_analysis.pdf
• Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism (DEAT). 2004. IEM Information Series
9: Life Cycle Assessment.
https://www.environment.gov.za/sites/default/files/docs/series9_lifecycle_assessment.pdf
• Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism (DEAT). 2004. IEM Information Series
10: Strategic Environmental Assessment.
https://www.environment.gov.za/sites/default/files/docs/series10_strategic_environmental
_assessment.pdf
• Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism (DEAT). 2004. IEM Information Series
11: Criteria for Determining Alternatives in EIA.
https://www.environment.gov.za/sites/default/files/docs/series11_criteriafor_determining_
alternatives.pdf
• Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism (DEAT). 2004. IEM Information Series
12: Environmental Management Plans.
https://www.environment.gov.za/sites/default/files/docs/series12_environmental_manage
mentplans.pdf

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• Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism (DEAT). 2004. IEM Information Series
13: Review in Environmental Impact Assessment.
https://www.environment.gov.za/sites/default/files/docs/series13_environmental_impacta
ssessment_review.pdf
• Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism (DEAT). 2004. IEM Information Series
14: Environmental Auditing.
https://www.environment.gov.za/sites/default/files/docs/series14_environmental_auditing.
pdf
• Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism (DEAT). 2004. IEM Information Series
20: Linking EIAs and Environmental Management Systems.
https://www.environment.gov.za/sites/default/files/docs/series20_linking_eia_ems.pdf
• Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism (DEAT). 2005. IEM Information Series
17: Environmental Reporting.
https://www.environment.gov.za/sites/default/files/docs/series17_environmental_reportin
g.pdf
• Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism (DEAT). 2006. IEM Information Series
23: Risk Management.
https://www.environment.gov.za/sites/default/files/docs/series23_risk_management.pdf

E-reserves can be downloaded from the library webpage Find e-reserves. More information is
available at: http://oasis.unisa.ac.za/search/r

5.4 Library services and resources information

The Unisa Library offers a range of information services and resources. The library has created
numerous library guides, available at http://libguides.unisa.ac.za.

Recommended guides:

• For brief information, go to https://www.unisa.ac.za/library/libatglance

• For more detailed library-related information, go to
http://www.unisa.ac.za/sites/corporate/default/Library
• Frequently Asked Questions,
visit https://www.unisa.ac.za/sites/corporate/default/Library/Frequently-Asked-Questions
• For research support and services such as the Personal Librarian service and the
Information Search Librarian's Literature
Search Request (on your research topic) service,
visit http://www.unisa.ac.za/sites/corporate/default/Library/Library-services/Research-
support.
• For library training for undergraduate students, visit
https://www.unisa.ac.za/sites/corporate/default/Library/Library-services/Training
• Lending Services - https://www.unisa.ac.za/sites/corporate/default/Library/Library-
services/Lending-services
• Services for Postgraduate students -
https://www.unisa.ac.za/sites/corporate/default/Library/Services-for-Postgraduates
• Support and Services for students with disabilities -
https://www.unisa.ac.za/sites/corporate/default/Library/Services-for-students-with-
special-needs
• Library Technology Support - https://libguides.unisa.ac.za/techsupport

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 • Finding and using library resources and tools -
http://libguides.unisa.ac.za/Research_skills
• A-Z list of library databases - https://libguides.unisa.ac.za/az.php
Important contact information:

• Technical problems encountered in accessing library online services: Lib-

help@unisa.ac.za
• General library-related queries: Library-enquiries@unisa.ac.za
• Queries related to library fines and payments: Library-fines@unisa.ac.za
• Interlibrary loan service for postgraduate students: libr-ill@unisa.ac.za
• Literature Search Service: Lib-search@unisa.ac.za
• Social media channels: Facebook: UnisaLibrary and Twitter: @UnisaLibrary

6 STUDENT SUPPORT SERVICES

The Study @ Unisa brochure is available on myUnisa: www.unisa.ac.za/brochures/studies

This brochure contains important information and guidelines for successful studies through Unisa.

If you need assistance with regard to the myModules system, you are welcome to use the
following contact details:

• Toll-free landline: 0800 00 1870 (select option 07 for myModules)

• E-mail: mymodules22@unisa.ac.za or myUnisaHelp@unisa.ac.za

You can access and view short videos on topics such as how to view your calendar; access
module content; view announcements for modules; submit assessment and how to participate in
forum activities via the following link: https://dtls-qa.unisa.ac.za/course/view.php?id=32130

Registered Unisa students get a free myLife e-mail account. Important information, notices and
updates are sent exclusively to this account. Please note that it can take up to 24 hours for
your account to be activated after you have claimed it. Please do this immediately after
registering at Unisa by following this link: myLifeHelp@unisa.ac.za

Your myLife account is the only e-mail account recognised by Unisa for official correspondence
with the university, and will remain the official primary e-mail address on record at Unisa. You
are responsible for the management of this e-mail account.

6.1 The Unisa First-Year Experience Programme

Many students find the transition from school education to tertiary education stressful. This is also
true for students enrolling at Unisa for the first time. Unisa is a dedicated open distance and e-
learning institution, and very different from face-to-face/contact institutions. It is a mega university,
and all our programmes are offered through either blended learning or fully online learning. It is
for this reason that we thought it necessary to offer first-time students additional/extended support
to help them seamlessly navigate the Unisa teaching and learning journey with little difficulty and
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few barriers. We therefore offer a specialised student support programme to students enrolling at
Unisa for the first time – this is Unisa’s First-Year Experience (FYE) Programme, designed to
provide you with prompt and helpful information about services that the institution offers and how
you can access information. The following FYE services are currently offered:

FYE Website E-mail Support

www.unisa.ac.za/FYE fye@unisa.ac.za

FYE1500
Post
myUnisa; Study
Registration
Referrals to Skills; Academic &
Orientation Digital Literacies;
other support
services i.e. etc
Counselling;
Reading & Writing
workshops

To ensure that you do not miss out on important academic and support communication from
the Student Retention Unit (SRU), please check your myLife inbox regularly.

6.2 E-tutors

This module will have e-tutors available to offer you support and guide your learning on myUnisa.
You will receive more information on e-tutors at the beginning of the semester via
Announcements on myUnisa.

6.3 Repeat students

If you are repeating this module, please contact the lecturer as soon as possible.

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7 STUDY PLAN
You are welcome to make use of the following study plan for this module:

Week LU
1 LU 0: Introduction to GGH3705
2 LU 1: Introduction to Environmental Assessments
3 LU 2: Screening
4 LU 3: Scoping
5 LU 4: Stakeholder Involvement
6 LU 5: The Environmental Impact Assessment
7 LU 6: Strategic Environmental Assessment
8 LU 7: Environmental Management Plans
9 LU 8: Specialist Assessments
10 LU 9: Review, Authorisation and Monitoring
11 LU 10: Conclusion – Where to from Here?
12 Revision: LU 1–5
13 Revision: LU 6–10

8 ASSESSMENT
8.1 Assessment criteria

Specific outcome 1: Identify and apply appropriate environmental assessment processes in

variable geographical contexts.
Assessment criteria
A student who has achieved the above specific outcome, is able to:
• discuss the purpose, importance, characteristics and procedures of various environmental
assessment processes
• distinguish between various environmental assessment processes in terms of the purpose,
importance, characteristics, and procedures of each process
• explain the role, influence and significance of environmental management plans, legal
aspects related to environmental management and decision-making processes
• explain and discuss the application of various environmental assessment processes with
regard to case study examples in a variety of geographical contexts
• illustrate linkages between the various environmental assessment processes and
concepts, and explain how these work together within the overall process of environmental
assessment

Specific outcome 2: Identify and discuss challenges associated with the application of
environmental assessment processes in variable geographical contexts.
Assessment criteria
A student who has achieved the above specific outcome, is able to:
• discuss the challenges in variable geographical contexts associated with the application of
various environmental assessment processes
• discuss how and why environmental assessment practices differ in different geographical
contexts (such as in different countries) and how this poses different challenges
• explain the challenges associated with the application of various environmental
assessment processes with regard to case study examples

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• suggest possible ways in which one can respond to the challenges associated with the
application of environmental assessment processes

Specific outcome 3: Appraise environmental assessment quality in variable geographical

contexts.
Assessment criteria
A student who has achieved the above specific outcome, is able to:
• discuss factors influencing the quality of environmental assessment processes
• evaluate the quality of environmental assessment processes
• distinguish between, and explain, sound and poor environmental assessment processes
• demonstrate critical thought with regard to environmental assessment processes

Specific outcome 4: Situate environmental assessment within the wider context of the
environment, sustainable development and environmental impacts.
Assessment criteria
A student who has achieved the above specific outcome, is able to:
• discuss the link between the environment, development and environmental impacts by
referring to specific case studies from a variety of geographical contexts
• explain why environmental assessment is important in the context of sustainable
development
• explain the importance of specific environmental assessment processes to the overall
process of environmental assessment and in the context of sustainable development.

8.2 Assessment plan

• To complete this module, you will be required to submit two (2) assessments.
• All information about when and where to submit your assessments will be made available
via the myModules site for your module.
• Due dates for assessments, as well as the actual assessments, are available on the
myModules site for this module.
• To gain admission to the examination, you will be required to submit one (1) assignment.
• The assignment weighting for the module is 40%.
• You will receive information regarding the portfolio via the myModules site. Please look out
for announcements on how examinations will be conducted for the modules for which you
are registered.
• The examination, in the form of a portfolio, will count 60% towards your final module mark.

8.3 Assessment due dates

• No assignment due dates are included in this tutorial letter.

• Assignment due dates will be made available on the myUnisa landing page for this module.
We envisage that the due dates will be available to you upon registration.

• Please start working on your assessments as soon as you have registered for the module.

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 • Log on to the myUnisa site for this module for more information on the due dates for the
submission of the assessments.

8.4 Submission of assessments

• Unisa, as a CODeL, is moving towards becoming an online institution. You will, therefore, see
that all your study material, assessments and engagements with your lecturer and fellow
students will take place online. We use myUnisa as our virtual campus.

• The myUnisa virtual campus offers students access to the myModules site where learning
material will be available online and where assessments should be completed. This is an
online system that is used to administer, document, and deliver educational material to
students and support engagement between academics and students.

• The myUnisa platform can be accessed via https://my.unisa.ac.za. Click on the myModules
2024 button to access the online sites for the modules that you are registered for.

• The university undertakes to communicate clearly and as frequently as is necessary to ensure

that you obtain the greatest benefit from the use of the myModules learning management
system. Please access the announcements on your myModules site regularly, as this is where
your lecturer will post important information to be shared with you.

• When you access your myModules site for the module/s you are registered for, you will see a
welcome message posted by your lecturer. Below the welcome message you will see the
assessment shells for the assessments that you need to complete. Assessments may be
either multiple-choice questions, tests, written assessments, or forum discussions. All
assessments must be completed on the assessment shells available on the respective module
platforms.

• To complete quiz assessments, please log on to the module site where you need to complete
the assessment. Click on the relevant assessment shell (Assessment 01, Assessment 02,
etc). There will be a date on which the assessment will open. When the assessment is open,
access the quiz online and complete it within the available time. Quiz assessment questions
are not included in this tutorial letter (Tutorial Letter 101) and are only made available online.
You must, therefore, access and complete the quiz online where it has been created.

• It is not advisable to use a cellphone to complete the quiz. Please use a desktop computer,
tablet or laptop when completing the quiz. Students who use a cellphone find it difficult to
navigate the Online Assessment tool on the small screen and struggle to navigate between
questions and successfully complete the quizzes. In addition, cellphones are more vulnerable
to dropped internet connections than other devices. If at all possible, please do not use a cell
phone for this assessment type.

• Please note the due date by which written assessments must be submitted. Ensure that you
follow the guidelines given by your lecturer to complete the assessment. Click on the
submission button on the relevant assessment shell on myModules. You will then be able to
upload your written assessment on the myModules site of the modules that you are registered
for. Before you finalise the upload, double-check that you have selected the correct file for
upload. Remember, no marks can be allocated for incorrectly submitted assessments.

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8.4.1 Types of assignments and descriptions

All assignments are defined as either optional, mandatory, compulsory, or elective.

• Elective assignments
- If not submitted, the student gets no mark for this item.
- The best of the required submissions will count.
• Mandatory assignments
- If not submitted, the student gets no mark for this item.
• Compulsory assignments
- If not submitted, no mark will appear in the student’s academic record.
• Optional assignments
- You are encouraged to do the optional assignment to benefit your learning.

I. Elective assignments
a. The student is given a choice of assignments within an identified group to submit, only
the best result(-s), the number of which is specified in advance, will contribute towards
the year mark.
b. Elective assignments must also be grouped into an elective group.
c. For the student to select which assignment to submit, the elective assignments must
be grouped together. For such an elective group, relevant information must be provided
to the student, such as how many of the assignments must be submitted and how many
of the assignment marks should be combined into the year mark.
d. The selection criteria define how marks received for assignments in an elective group
are to be combined into the year mark. Three different criteria may be used for
calculating the year mark:
• The best mark should be used, or
• If the student submits fewer than the required number of assignments per group
or no assignment in a group, a mark of 0% will be used.
• 0% is awarded to all non-submitted or unmarked assessments. A best mark is
then calculated from all your assessments.

II. Mandatory assignments

a. They contribute to your year mark.
b. If a student fails to submit a mandatory assignment, no mark is awarded and the year
mark is calculated accordingly. The student will therefore forfeit the marks attached to
this assignment when the final mark for the module is calculated.
III. Compulsory Assessment
a. When a compulsory assessment is not submitted, the student will fail a Continuous
Assessment module but will be shown as absent from the examination in the case of
other modules.

IV. Optional assignments

a. You are encouraged to do the optional assignment to benefit your learning.

8.5 The assessments

As indicated in section 8.2, you need to complete two (2) assessments for this module. No
assignments are included in this tutorial letter. Assignments and due dates will be made
available on the myModules site for this module. The due dates should be available to you upon
registration.

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8.6 The examination

Examination information and details on the format of the examination will be made available online
via the myUnisa site. Look out for information that your lecturer and e-tutors (where relevant) will
be sharing with you, and for communications from the university.

8.6.1 Invigilation/proctoring

Since 2020 Unisa conducts all its assessments online. Given stringent requirements from
professional bodies and increased solicitations of Unisa’s students by third parties to unlawfully
assist them with the completion of assignments and examinations, the university is obliged to
assure its assessment integrity through various proctoring tools such as Turnitin, Moodle
Proctoring, the Invigilator App and IRIS. These tools will authenticate the student’s identity and
flag suspicious behaviour to assure credibility of students’ responses during assessments. The
description below is for your benefit as you may encounter any or all of these in your registered
modules:

Turnitin is a plagiarism software that facilitates checks for originality in student submissions
against internal and external sources. Turnitin assists in identifying academic fraud and ghost
writing. Students are expected to submit typed responses for utilisation of the Turnitin software.

The Moodle Proctoring tool is a facial-recognition software that authenticates students’ identity
during their Quiz assessments. This tool requires access to a student’s mobile or laptop camera.
Students must ensure their camera is activated in their browser settings prior to their
assessments.

The Invigilator mobile application-based service does verification of the identity of an

assessment participant. The Invigilator Mobile Application detects student dishonesty by proxy
and ensures that the assessment participant is the registered student. This invigilation tool
requires students to download the app from their Play Store (Google, Huawei and Apple) on their
mobile devices (camera enabled) prior to their assessment.

IRIS Invigilation software verifies the identity of a student during assessment and provides for
both manual and automated facial verification. It has the ability to record and review a student’s
assessment session. It flags suspicious behaviour by students for review by an academic
administrator. IRIS software requires installation on students’ laptop devices that are enabled
with a webcam.

Students who are identified and flagged for suspicious dishonest behaviour arising from the
invigilation and proctoring reports will be referred to the disciplinary office for formal proceedings.

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 GGH3705/101/3/2024

Please note:

Students must refer to their module assessment information on their myModule sites to determine
which proctoring or invigilation tool will be utilised for their formative and summative assessments.

9 ACADEMIC DISHONESTY
9.1 Plagiarism

Plagiarism is the act of taking the words, ideas and thoughts of others and presenting them as
your own. It is a form of theft. Plagiarism includes the following forms of academic dishonesty:

• copying and pasting from any source, without acknowledging the source
• not including references or deliberately inserting incorrect bibliographic information
• paraphrasing without acknowledging the original source of the information

9.2 Cheating

Cheating includes, but is not limited to, the following:

• completing assessments on behalf of another student, copying the work of another

student during an assessment, or allowing another student to copy your work
• using social media (e.g. WhatsApp, Telegram) or other platforms to disseminate
assessment information
• submitting corrupt or irrelevant files (see the examination guidelines)
• buying completed answers from so-called “tutors” or internet sites (contract cheating)
For more information about plagiarism, visit the link below:
https://www.unisa.ac.za/sites/myunisa/default/Study-@-Unisa/Student-values-and-rules

10 STUDENTS LIVING WITH DISABILITIES

The Advocacy and Resource Centre for Students with Disabilities (ARCSWiD) provides an
opportunity for staff to interact with first-time and returning students with disabilities.

If you are a student with a disability and would like additional support or need additional time for
assessments, please contact Ms Richelle Pienaar (pienar@unisa.ac.za or 011 471 2243) to
discuss the assistance you need.

11 ETHICS STATEMENT
Note that your lecturer may require information from you for research purposes. The type of
information may range from the assignments you have completed or additional activities your
lecturer may ask you to take part in or comment on to the marks you have obtained for your
assignment or anything related to the teaching of the module for which you registered. In all these
instances, the information you provide will not identify you in any way. You will be anonymous
and the information you provide will remain confidential. The lecturer will not use your information
in an unethical way or in violation of the Unisa policy on research ethics. The lecturer will also
apply to the College Ethics Research Committee for ethical clearance to conduct research on
data regarding the module. Approval will be obtained from Unisa’s Research Permission Sub-

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Committee to use Unisa student data. By conducting this research, the lecturer will be able to
improve and develop this module for future students. If you refuse to consent to your lecturer
using the information indicated above, please inform him/her by e-mail.

12 CONCLUSION
Please do not hesitate to contact us via e-mail, telephone or the myUnisa module site if you have
problems with the content of this tutorial letter or any aspect of the module.

We trust you will find the module informative, interesting and useful in your chosen programme
of study. Our hope is that the knowledge and skills you acquire will motivate you to continue with
your studies in Geography.

Kind regards

The Department of Geography

©
Unisa 2024

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