Trans-disciplinary thinking & learning

Subject 950-600 (2008)

Note: This is an archived Handbook entry from 2008. Search for this in the current handbook

Credit Points: 12.500
Level: Graduate/Postgraduate
Dates & Locations:

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2008:

Semester 2, - Taught on campus.
Pre-teaching Period Start not applicable
Teaching Period not applicable
Assessment Period End not applicable
Last date to Self-Enrol not applicable
Census Date not applicable
Last date to Withdraw without fail not applicable

Two hour class each week plus some one hour tutorial sessions as required.

Timetable can be viewed here. For information about these dates, click here.
Time Commitment: Contact Hours: 2.5 hours x 10 weeks = 25 contact hours.For every hour of contact, students will require four hours of reading and preparation. Total time commitment is 10/wk. x 10 weeks =100 hours
Total Time Commitment: 144 hours comprising in class time, preparation and assignment work.
Prerequisites: None
Corequisites: None
Recommended Background Knowledge: None
Non Allowed Subjects: None
Core Participation Requirements: N/A

Coordinator

Dr Sherie McClam
Subject Overview: This subject will consider the complexity of environmental knowledge, understanding of problems, and solutions by:
• Engaging with an environmental dilemma in which discipline based framings of the issue and ways of understanding the problem are challenged.
Exploring the complexity embodied within this dilemma.
• Explaining historical and philosophical debates about ways of knowing (epistemology) and what we think we know about existence (ontology).
• Interrogating seminal readings about the development of disciplinary knowledge and knowledge traditions.
• Analysing additional environmental dilemmas with new understandings of difference and multiplicity.
Assessment:
    • A 2,000-word assignment which examines each student's discipline through alternative ontological and epistemological lenses. This assignment will be due in the middle of the semester and will be worth 40%.
    • A 4,000-word assignment in a group context (but individually reported upon) in which a current environmental dilemma is analysed by reference to trans-disciplinary approaches. It will be worth 60% and will be due at the end of semester.
Prescribed Texts: N/A
Recommended Texts: A reader will be prepared for this unit
Breadth Options:

This subject is not available as a breadth subject.
Fees Information: Subject EFTSL, Level, Discipline & Census Date
Generic Skills: Objectives
1. Understand historical and philosophical debates regarding ontology and epistemology in relation to discipline-based learning and thinking.
2. Recognize opportunities for analysing multi disciplinary position(s) within environmental discourse.
Generic skills
Students in this unit should:
1. Enhance their multi/trans-disciplinary thinking and learning skills.
2. Further develop their critical thinking though readings, class discussions, collaboration and assessment.
3. Further develop analytical approaches to environmental issues of complexity and uncertainty.
Related Course(s): Master of Environment

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