Environment and Story

Subject ENST10001 (2011)

Note: This is an archived Handbook entry from 2011.

Credit Points: 12.50
Level: 1 (Undergraduate)
Dates & Locations:

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2011:

Semester 2, Parkville - 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


Timetable can be viewed here. For information about these dates, click here.
Time Commitment: Contact Hours: 3 hours per week.
Total Time Commitment: 102
Prerequisites: Admission to the BA (Extended)
Corequisites: None
Recommended Background Knowledge: None
Non Allowed Subjects: 100-008 Environment and Story
Core Participation Requirements: For the purposes of considering request for Reasonable Adjustments under the disability Standards for Education (Cwth 2005), and Students Experiencing Academic Disadvantage Policy, academic requirements for this subject are articulated in the Subject Description, Subject Objectives, Generic Skills and Assessment Requirements of this entry. The University is dedicated to provide support to those with special requirements. Further details on the disability support scheme can be found at the Disability Liaison Unit website: http://www.services.unimelb.edu.au/disability/

Contact

Rebecca Garcia Lucas

garcia@unimelb.edu.au

Subject Overview:

This subject introduces students to the skills of interdisciplinary thinking, writing and reading, and its aim with bringing together knowledge and perspectives from different disciplines for discussing complex environmental challenges. Drawing from disciplines such as literature, philosophy, cultural studies and environmental studies, the relationship between humans and the natural environment will be explored. We will query: What is a natural environment or ‘nature’? How do humans relate to nature? How do we socially and ethically position animals, plants, or landforms? The subject will consider the role of storytelling for addressing environmental issues and stories as a cultural medium for storing and communicating the knowledge and values of a society. We will ask questions such as: How is nature represented in our major stories or cultural narratives? Is society listening to the stories of the land, of the earth? If not, why not? How might it listen? If society is listening, is it listening enough? What is the earth saying? The subject involves a combination of academic learning and experiential learning, whereby lectures and tutorials are further developed through a number of fieldtrips and workshops.
Objectives:

Students who complete this subject will have:

  • knowledge and understanding of historical and contemporary cultural perceptions of nature, and how these perceptions may be constructed, deconstructed, questioned, challenged and subverted;
  • an understanding of key concepts and topics employed by the environmental humanities (ecocentrism, deep and shallow ecology, connection to place, Re-enchantment);
  • explored ideas for restoring and developing human connection with the environment;
  • recognised the roles of connection to place, storytelling and environmental philosophy, in environmental ethics;
  • learnt to value learning and knowledge through a plurality of methods and experiences.
Assessment: One short creative essay of 800 words early in semester (25%), one research essay of 1500 words due in examination period (50%), ecological workshop participation and report during semester (15%), attendance and participation (10%). Participation will include submission of a weekly written paragraph which will not be graded but will be returned with comments. Students must attend a minimum of 75% of classes in order to pass this subject.
Prescribed Texts:

A subject reader will be available.
Breadth Options:

This subject is not available as a breadth subject.
Fees Information: Subject EFTSL, Level, Discipline & Census Date
Generic Skills:

Students who successfully complete this subject will develop skills in the following areas:

  • critical and creative thinking, based on an understanding of the connections between story, knowledge, environmental ethics and place;
  • cral communication;
  • collaborative and individual learning;
  • research essay writing;
  • interdisciplinary thinking.
Notes: This subject is only available to students enrolled in the Bachelor of Arts (Extended) program.
Related Course(s): Bachelor of Arts (Extended)

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