Outline

Overview

Imagine a future where prosperity is defined by well-being, sustainability, and equity rather than endless economic growth. This unit critically explores post-growth futures, focusing on addressing climate change, environmental degradation, and social inequality within the context of finite planetary boundaries. Over 12 weeks, students will examine the limitations of growth-driven systems that rely heavily on renewable energy and negative emission technologies to combat global warming, exposing the risks of over-dependence on these technology-based solutions. The unit will introduce key post-growth frameworks, including degrowth, high-quality growth, and a-growth, analysing their potential to promote environmental and social justice, while enhancing human well-being. A distinctive feature is hands-on work with IPCC scenarios: students will interpret social-economic pathways, interrogate its assumptions, and explore the interplay between economic growth and climate change and social equity. Global perspectives will be integrated throughout the course, navigating the post-growth landscape from Europe, China, and beyond, to understand regional variations and potential pathways. Through globally renowned expert-led guest lectures, case studies, and field trips, students will engage with real-world initiatives aimed at transitioning to more sustainable and equitable economies. Through a comprehensive examination of post-growth futures, students will gain insights into the transformative potential of shifting from a growth-centric model to one focused on human well-being and planetary health.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit	Physics Academic Operations
Credit points	6
Prerequisites ?	None
Corequisites ?	None
Prohibitions ?	None
Assumed knowledge ?	None
Available to study abroad and exchange students	No

Teaching staff

Coordinator	Mengyu Li, mengyu.li@sydney.edu.au

Assessment

The census date for this unit availability is 31 March 2026

Details
Criteria

Type	Description	Weight	Due	Length	Use of AI
Interactive oral	Debate/Round Table Discussion Lead a formal debate or roundtable discussion on post-growth issues, including developing critical arguments and engaging with the views of others. Generative AI can be used to support research, but students must be able to defend ideas without AI.	30%	Multiple weeks	30 minutes	AI prohibited
Outcomes assessed:
Presentation	Presentation of an Existing Post-Growth Community Present an existing post-growth community. Analyse its key characteristics, practices, and contributions to post-growth thought. Generative AI can be used to support research, but presentation is verbal and students must be able to defend ideas without AI	30%	Multiple weeks	30 minutes	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Creative work	Post-Growth and Personal Reflection Reflect on how post-growth concepts apply to your life. Discuss personal experiences related to sustainability, consumption, and well-being. Explore how these ideas influence everyday choices. Assessment is focused on personal reflection.	40%	Week 13	10 minute video	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
= group assignment ?

Assessment summary

Assignment 1: Debate/Round Table Discussion

Engage in a formal debate or roundtable discussion on post-growth issues. Develop critical arguments and engage with the views of others on the practical application of post-growth principles.

Assignment 2: Presentation of an Existing Post-Growth Community

Present an existing post-growth community. Analyze its key characteristics, practices, and contributions to post-growth thought

Assignment 3: Post-Growth and Personal Reflection

Reflect on how post-growth concepts apply to your life.

Assessment criteria

Result name	Mark range	Description
High distinction	85 - 100	Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at an exceptional standard, as defined by grade descriptors or exemplars outlined by your faculty or school.
Distinction	75 - 84	Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at a very high standard, as defined by grade descriptors or exemplars outlined by your faculty or school.
Credit	65 - 74	Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at a good standard, as defined by grade descriptors or exemplars outlined by your faculty or school.
Pass	50 - 64	Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at an acceptable standard, as defined by grade descriptors or exemplars outlined by your faculty or school.
Fail	0 - 49	When you don’t meet the learning outcomes of the unit to a satisfactory standard.

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 Academic Integrity Policy.

Visit the Current Students website for more information on AI in assessments, including 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.

Academic integrity

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

Our website 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 Academic Honesty Education Module (AHEM) 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 Current Students website for more information on AI in assessments, including 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 simple extension.  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’t 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 special consideration or special arrangements.

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

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students, AI in Education 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 reflects the University’s 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
Week 01	Introduction to Post-Growth	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 02	Understanding Post-Growth Perspectives	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 03	Affluence and Environmental Impact	Lecture (2.5 hr)
Week 04	Growth and the IPCC’s Climate Scenarios	Lecture (2.5 hr)
Week 05	Post-Growth and Global Justice I	Lecture (2.5 hr)
Week 06	Post-Growth and Global Justice II	Lecture (2.5 hr)
Week 07	European Post-Growth Perspectives	Lecture (2.5 hr)
Week 08	Post-growth in China	Lecture (2.5 hr)
Week 09	Field Visit: Pigface Point	Lecture (2.5 hr)
Week 10	Post-Growth and the Political Economy	Lecture (2.5 hr)
Week 11	Post-Growth Policy Frameworks	Lecture (2.5 hr)
Week 12	Field Visit Narara Eco Village or Reverse Garbage / The Bower in Marrickville	Lecture (2.5 hr)

Study 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.

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. Understand the concept and key principles of post-growth
LO2. Evaluate various levers for addressing climate change within the context of post-growth frameworks, considering both technological and socio-economic strategies.
LO3. Identify and compare key policies and practices that can facilitate a transition toward post-growth economies at local, national, and global levels.
LO4. Synthesise insights from diverse post-growth models to propose actionable solutions for achieving sustainable, equitable societies.
LO5. Critically analyze the core debates surrounding post-growth and degrowth, including their implications for climate change, environmental sustainability, and social equity

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’s 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.

This is the first time this unit has been offered.

Disclaimer

The University reserves the right to amend units of study or no longer offer certain units, including where there are low enrolment numbers.

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

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

Study commitment

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links

PHYS5803: Sustainability in a Post-Growth World

Semester 1, 2026 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

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

Study commitment

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links