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Insects Shaping Society (UNIB10018)
Undergraduate level 1Points: 12.5Not available in 2019
Overview
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This breadth subject explores the interactions of bees and other insects with societies worldwide. From the traditions of ancient Egypt and Asia, to modern day Europe, insects are central, not only in the production of food, and spreading of disease but also play an important role in religion, language and culture across the world. Learning from indigenous communities, insects can be harnessed for food, medicine and construction material, and have prominent roles in myths, traditional songs and ceremonies. Insect’s social organisation and communication networks are extremely sophisticated and many parallels to human societal organisation can be drawn.
Controlling detrimental insects using pesticides is essential to survival of humanity. It is important for limiting the spread of disease and agricultural food production. However, reliance on pesticides is also a major problem for sustainability especially as overuse results in pesticide resistance and bee mortality which affects plant pollination. Hence, bee mortality has extraordinary implications on our sustainable food production systems potentially threatening our way of life. Climate change has also had a major impact on insect distribution and breeding, resulting in novel challenges. Are we now finally realising how our actions affect insects and in turn they are shaping our society?
Intended learning outcomes
- Demonstrate an understanding of the cultural significance of bees and other insects in a historical and geographical context
- Analyse the impact of agricultural practices on bee and other insects, including pollinators and insect pests
- Compare the positive and negative impacts of bees and other insects (Mosquitoes/flees/termites/ants/flies) on societies in a historical and geographical context
- Relationships between insects in colonies and compare to human societies
- Critically assess the control of insect pests and the effects this has on pollinators
- Demonstrate an understanding of the impact of insects on humans and vice versa, including climate change
Generic skills
- Develop academic excellence and knowledge in the area of history and culture, biology and agricultural science develop an aptitude for continued self-directed learning and become adept at learning in a range of ways, including through information and communication technologies
- Become knowledgeable across disciplines, including an ability to examine critically, synthesis and evaluate knowledge (incorporating knowledge and skills from their own discipline with those of others), are able to participate fully in multi-disciplinary collaborations and to confront unfamiliar problems
- Be able to become leaders in their communities through the engagement in meaningful public discourse on the subject of insects interaction with people and their environment and develop excellent interpersonal and decision-making skills
- Will be attuned to cultural diversity through valuing different cultures, having an understanding of the social and cultural diversity in our and other communities and respect indigenous knowledge, cultures and values
Last updated: 19 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: 19 April 2024
Assessment
Description | Timing | Percentage |
---|---|---|
Assignment
| Week 4 | 25% |
Intra-semester assessment
| Week 8 | 25% |
Examination
| During the examination period | 50% |
Last updated: 19 April 2024
Dates & times
Not available in 2019
Last updated: 19 April 2024
Further information
- Texts
Prescribed texts
There are no specifically prescribed or recommended texts for this subject.
- Breadth options
This subject is available as breadth in the following courses:
- Bachelor of Arts
- Bachelor of Biomedicine
- Bachelor of Commerce
- Bachelor of Design
- Bachelor of Environments
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Acting)
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Animation)
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Dance)
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Film and Television)
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Music Theatre)
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Screenwriting)
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Theatre)
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Visual Art)
- Bachelor of Music
- Bachelor of Science
- 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.
- Available to Study Abroad and/or Study Exchange Students
This subject is available to students studying at the University from eligible overseas institutions on exchange and study abroad. Students are required to satisfy any listed requirements, such as pre- and co-requisites, for enrolment in the subject.
Last updated: 19 April 2024