Public Values, Contested Landscapes

This subject is not offered in 2013.

120 hours

Some background in either natural resource management or social science

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, Objectives, 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 the Disability Liaison Unit: http://www.services.unimelb.edu.au/disability/

In this interdisciplinary subject, students will apply insights from environmental and social psychology to the management of contested natural resources in rural and urban landscapes. Research and theory related to landscape perception, environmental values and social acceptance of land management will be studied. Through the use of case studies and class exercises, students will learn to apply the theory to complex land management issues using techniques such as public and stakeholder engagement in policy-making, conflict management, landscape assessment and social impact assessment. Case studies include forest policy and management, urban tree strategies and windfarm developments.

On completion of this subject, students should be able to:

• Describe a range of theories about human perceptions of landscapes;
• Analyse social values and other psychological factors that contribute to the social acceptance of land management;
• Analyse the implications of this psychological understanding for land use policy and land management including: policy-making in situations of value conflict; design of acceptable management practices; communication with the public; and conflict management;
• Critically analyse policies and practices from the perspective of public and stakeholder values; and
• Analyse contexts and select appropriate strategies for engaging the public and stakeholders in land use policy-making and land management.

A reflective journal of at least 2000 words, submitted in two parts (25%), a practical group exercise, development of a public and stakeholder engagement strategy, including a class presentation (10 minute duration) (25%) and a 4000 word essay on the human dimensions of a management issue of the student’s choice (50%)

This subject is not available as a breadth subject.

Students will develop skills in:

• practical aspects of public and stakeholder engagement;
• interdisciplinary thinking through the application of theory in the social sciences to complex issues;
• research and critical analysis through class exercises and assessment.