Anthropology of Nature

Subject ANTH30009 (2012)

Note: This is an archived Handbook entry from 2012.

Credit Points: 12.50
Level: 3 (Undergraduate)
Dates & Locations:

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2012:

Semester 1, 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

Standard

Timetable can be viewed here. For information about these dates, click here.
Time Commitment: Contact Hours: 1x 2 hour lecture and 1x 1hour tutorial per week for 10 weeks. The lecture and tutorial programs are staggered and cover the 12 weeks of semester.
Total Time Commitment: An average of 8.5 hours each week.
Prerequisites: None.
Corequisites: None.
Recommended Background Knowledge: Knowledge gained in completing any one of the following subjects:
Subject
Study Period Commencement:
Credit Points:
Semester 2
12.50
Non Allowed Subjects: Students who have completed redefining Nature with the code 121-062 or 671-355 are not permitted to enrol in this subject.
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/

Coordinator

Dr Monica Minnegal

Contact

Dr Monica Minnegal

mmam@unimelb.edu.au

Subject Overview:

This subject will address anthropological issues raised by the discourse of environmentalism, exploring the diverse ways in which individuals and societies perceive and interact with their environments. Students will explore constructions of nature and culture, how people place themselves in space and in time, and how they place the things of the world in relation to themselves. Students will also address uses and limitations of 'traditional ecological knowledge', patterns of land tenure and issues of land management. Students should become familiar with the different ways people interpret their roles and responsibilities in relation to the natural world, and with the ways understandings of nature both reflect and affect how people see themselves and their society.
Objectives:

Students who successfully complete this subject will:

  • have a knowledge of the range of ways people construct understandings of and organise themselves in relation to their environments.
  • be aware of approaches within anthropology to documenting, analysing and theorising this variation.
  • be able to critically discuss issues raised by the confrontation between different systems of environmental knowledge and practice.
Assessment:

Two 500 word papers (17.5% each) due during the semester, an essay outline (5%) due in week 11, and a 3000-word essay (60%) due during the examination period. This subject has a hurdle requirement of attendance at a minimum of 8 tutorials (ie. 80% of tutorials). Regular participation in tutorials is required. Assessment submitted late without an approved extension will be penalised at 10% per day. In-class tasks missed without approval will not be marked. All pieces of written work must be submitted to pass this subject.
Prescribed Texts:

A subject reader will be available from the University Bookshop at the beginning of semester. Set readings will also be available online, through LMS.
Breadth Options:

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

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.

Fees Information: Subject EFTSL, Level, Discipline & Census Date
Generic Skills:

Students who successfully complete this subject will:

  • have practice in conducting research and speaking articulately.
  • have practice in writing clearly in a variety of formats and reading with attention to detail.
  • have experience of systematically evaluating a body of empirical data and identifying its theoretical context.
  • have experience of methods of critical inquiry and argument leading to improved analytical skills.
  • have acquired awareness of issues relating to cross-cultural communication.
Links to further information: http://www.ssps.unimelb.edu.au/study/ads/
Notes: This subject will be offered in alternate years.
Related Majors/Minors/Specialisations: Anthropology
Anthropology
Anthropology and Development
Anthropology and Social Theory
Anthropology and Social Theory
Anthropology and Social Theory
Development Studies Major
Environmental Studies Major
Related Breadth Track(s): Understanding Nature

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