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  3. Interdisciplinarity and the Environment

Interdisciplinarity and the Environment (MULT90005)

Graduate courseworkPoints: 12.5On Campus (Parkville)

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Overview

Availability
March
Semester 2
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Environmental issues are often complex, controversial, and associated with uncertain knowledge. In this context, this subject explores the ‘knowledge challenges’ faced by environmental professionals, and strategies for addressing these challenges. Particular attention is given to collaboration across disciplines and sectors in generating, integrating, communicating and applying knowledge for environmental decision-making and management. Through case studies of knowledge partnerships, we examine the context, forms and functions of knowledge production and use for environmental policy and management questions. Incorporating perspectives from a broad range of environmental professionals and academics, the subject draws on and develops students’ practical skills for engaging and working with different types of environmental expertise.

 

The subject focuses on the following main questions:

  • How are different forms of environmental knowledge produced, applied and evaluated?
  • In collaborating across disciplines and sectors, and with communities and stakeholders, what are the challenges in evaluating, framing, integrating, communicating and managing knowledge?
  • What skills and strategies can assist environmental professionals in addressing these challenges?

Intended learning outcomes

On the completion of this subject student will have the ability to:

  • Analyse the ways in which environmental knowledge is created, evaluated, and applied in a variety of professional practices.
  • Identify the benefits and challenges of knowledge collaboration for researchers, practitioners, decision makers, and stakeholders.
  • Demonstrate key collaboration skills including self-reflection, clear communication of specialist knowledge to different audiences, understanding of and respect for others' perspectives, integration of different types of knowledge, and project management and evaluation.

Generic skills

  • Enhance their interdisciplinary thinking and learning skills, including skills for collaboration, integration, communication and management of knowledge.
  • Further develop their critical thinking though readings, class discussions, group project work and assessment.
  • Further develop analytical approaches to environmental issues of complexity and uncertainty.

Last updated: 3 November 2022