Knowing Nature

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2008:

For the purposes of considering request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Cwth 2005), and Student Support and Engagement Policy, academic requirements for this subject are articulated in the Subject Overview, Learning Outcomes, Assessment and Generic Skills sections of this entry.

It is University policy to take all reasonable steps to minimise the impact of disability upon academic study, and reasonable adjustments will be made to enhance a student's participation in the University's programs. Students who feel their disability may impact on meeting the requirements of this subject are encouraged to discuss this matter with a Faculty Student Adviser and Student Equity and Disability Support: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/disability

The subject investigates different ways of understanding nature and the natural world with a focus on species, ecosystems and landscapes as scales of analysis. The historical development of our current scientific understanding of nature is a central theme considered in relation to understandings of nature within different cultures, political contexts and philosophical perspectives. Particular emphasis will be given to the impact of the following ideas: the scientific revolution and changing perceptions of the physical world; the role of landscape change in the evolution and functioning of species and ecosystems; contested notions of nature and the natural world, including an examination of tensions between religious, political, ethnic, scientific and philosophical perspectives in understanding landscapes and wilderness.

Subject Objectives

Students who complete this subject should:

• be familiar with multi-disciplinary approaches to investigating and understanding the natural world;

• have developed a sound grasp of basic concepts and approaches to the study of nature;

• understand cross-cultural approaches to nature through scientific, social, political, cultural and philosophical perspectives;

• be able to understand and analyse current debates about the evolving relationship between humans and nature.

This subject potentially can be taken as a breadth subject component for the following courses:

• Bachelor of Biomedicine
• Bachelor of Commerce
• Bachelor of Environments
• Bachelor of Music
• Bachelor of Science
• Bachelor of Engineering

You should visit learn more about breadth subjects and read the breadth requirements for your degree, and should discuss your choice with your student adviser, before deciding on your subjects.

• understand a range of disciplines and methodologies appropriate to the texts, artefacts, theoretical structures and social practices with which they are concerned;

• have developed a capacity for critical thought and analysis through the construction and articulation of lucid, logical arguments;

• have developed oral and written skills through essay writing and tutorial participation;

• have acquired the tools for independent and targeted research, using library and other information services;

• have the ability to organise and manage their time through the planning of class assessments and the meeting of set due dates.