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A History of Nature (HPSC20002)
Undergraduate level 2Points: 12.5On Campus (Parkville)
About this subject
- Overview
- Eligibility and requirements
- Assessment
- Dates and times
- Further information
- Timetable(opens in new window)
Contact information
Summer Term
Email: gerhardw@unimelb.edu.au
Email: john.wilkins@unimelb.edu.au
Overview
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This subject discusses central topics in human understandings about their environment in the Western world, particularly over the last 500 years. As Europeans began to venture out of their continent in the 15th century, they discovered new environments that challenged their received wisdom about themselves and their relationship to nature. Modern Science with the inherent idea of a mastery over nature is an outcome of this process. We will trace how in this history different interpretations of 'nature' have shaped science and have been shaped by science in return, including topics such as taxonomy, gardening, theories of life, and the rise of environmentalism. This subject should be of interest to students who would like to learn more about the origins of the environmental sciences, the dominance of scientific understandings of nature, and our ongoing attempts to live within a changing environment.
Intended learning outcomes
Students who successfully complete this subject will:
- demonstrate knowledge of changes in the understanding of nature that have occurred in the western world over the last 500 years;
- demonstrate knowledge of the explanations given by historians for these understandings;
- demonstrate understanding for the complex cultural and social developments that have contributed in this process;
- develop an understanding of key scientific and philosophical concepts;
- develop an evidence-based opinion on the sustainability of our relationship with nature;
- conduct independent research including the appropriate use of primary and secondary sources in mounting an historical argument;
- develop effective communication and presentation skills (written and oral), and the ability to collaborate constructively within the classroom;
- demonstrate ethical integrity in written work and classroom activities
Last updated: 11 April 2024
Eligibility and requirements
Prerequisites
None
Corequisites
None
Non-allowed subjects
None
Inherent requirements (core participation requirements)
The University of Melbourne is committed to providing students with reasonable adjustments to assessment and participation under the Disability Standards for Education (2005), and the Assessment and Results Policy (MPF1326). Students are expected to meet the core participation requirements for their course. These can be viewed under Entry and Participation Requirements for the course outlines in the Handbook.
Further details on how to seek academic adjustments can be found on the Student Equity and Disability Support website: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/student-equity/home
Last updated: 11 April 2024
Assessment
Additional details
- Two take home tests equivalent to 1400 words, the first due after day 5 of classes the second due after day 10 (35%)
- A document analysis of 1200 words, due January 23rd 2017 (30%)
- A research essay 1400 words, due February 3rd 2017 (35%)
Hurdle requirement:
- Students must attend a minimum of 75% of tutorials in order to pass this subject.
- All pieces of written work must be submitted in order to pass this subject.
Note: Assessment submitted late without an approved extension will be penalised at 10% per day. After five working days late assessment will not be marked. In-class tasks missed without approval will not be marked.
Regular participation in tutorials is required.
Last updated: 11 April 2024
Dates & times
- Summer Term
Principal coordinators Gerhard Wiesenfeldt and John Wilkins Mode of delivery On Campus (Parkville) Contact hours 30 hours -1 x 2 hour lecture each day and 1 x 1 hour tutorial each day over the two week teaching period. Total time commitment 170 hours Teaching period 3 January 2018 to 17 January 2018 Last self-enrol date 5 January 2018 Census date 12 January 2018 Last date to withdraw without fail 2 February 2018 Assessment period ends 19 February 2018 Summer Term contact information
Email: gerhardw@unimelb.edu.au
Email: john.wilkins@unimelb.edu.au
Time commitment details
170 hours
Last updated: 11 April 2024
Further information
- Texts
Prescribed texts
Subject readings will be available online and from the bookshop.
Recommended texts and other resources
Donald Worster, Nature's economy: a history of ecological ideas. 2nd ed. Cambridge University Press, 1994
- Related Handbook entries
This subject contributes to the following:
Type Name Minor Environmental Studies Major History and Philosophy of Science - Breadth options
This subject is available as breadth in the following courses:
- Links to additional information
- Available through the Community Access Program
About the Community Access Program (CAP)
This subject is available through the Community Access Program (also called Single Subject Studies) which allows you to enrol in single subjects offered by the University of Melbourne, without the commitment required to complete a whole degree.
Entry requirements including prerequisites may apply. Please refer to the CAP applications page for further information.
Last updated: 11 April 2024