Handbook home
Nature, Conservation and Society (ENST30004)
Undergraduate level 3Points: 12.5On Campus (Parkville)
For information about the University’s phased return to campus and in-person activity in Winter and Semester 2, please refer to the on-campus subjects page.
About this subject
- Overview
- Eligibility and requirements
- Assessment
- Dates and times
- Further information
- Timetable(opens in new window)
Contact information
Please refer to the LMS for up-to-date subject information, including assessment and participation requirements, for subjects being offered in 2020.
Overview
Availability | Semester 2 |
---|---|
Fees | Look up fees |
Conservation planners and managers must contend with important questions about competing priorities and strategies. Which species should we protect? What should be the objectives for the conservation of an ecosystem? How should we balance multiple values of a site, and which sites should be prioritised for protection or conservation action? Which conservation practices and tools will best achieve the intended outcomes? The answers to these questions depend not only on the biological and physical characteristics of ecological systems, but on human relationships with nature.
The subject builds on foundational knowledge in ecology and environments. Students will develop an understanding of psychological and sociological theory relevant to conservation decision making, scenarios and practice. They will also develop skills grounded in social science that can support conservation planning based on integrated ecological and social principles. Topics for consideration include:
- ecological, psychological and cultural factors that influence the species and ecosystems that society and managers prioritise for protection;
- cognitive and cultural influences on conservation objectives and strategies;
- the impact of value conflicts on the success of conservation projects;
- the relationship between conservation and the welfare of both animals and humans; and
- the role of tools such as education and engagement, citizen science, citizen informed and participatory decision making in managing conservation challenges.
Intended learning outcomes
At the completion of this subject, students should be able to:
- Assess empirical evidence regarding the ways in which psychological and social factors influence biological conservation.
- Investigate and analyse the psychological and sociological factors shaping biodiversity-conservation scenarios and decisions.
- Design practical conservation strategies involving education programs, engagement with management agencies, and participatory decision making.
Generic skills
- High level capacity to critically interpret and apply information from a range of sources
- Ability to synthesise data with other information
- High level written communication
- Develop skills in social research, and particularly those relevant to site analysis
- An ability to apply theory to practice
Last updated: 11 April 2024
Eligibility and requirements
Prerequisites
At least 12.5 points of subjects establishing basic knowledge in environmental social science:
Code | Name | Teaching period | Credit Points |
---|---|---|---|
ENST20001 | Human Behaviour and Environment | Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
EVSC20005 | Contested Resources | Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
GEOG20001 | Society and Environments | Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
GEOG20003 | Environmental Politics and Management | Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
Plus at least 12.5 points of subjects establishing basic knowledge of ecosystems:
Code | Name | Teaching period | Credit Points |
---|---|---|---|
ECOL20003 | Ecology | Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
BIOL10001 | Biology of Australian Flora & Fauna | Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
BOTA20004 | Flora of Victoria | Summer Term (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
LARC10001 | Natural History | Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
BOTA20002 | Plant Biodiversity | Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
EVSC20004 | Blue Planet-Intro to Marine Environments | Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
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
Due to the impact of COVID-19, assessment may differ from that published in the Handbook. Students are reminded to check the subject assessment requirements published in the subject outline on the LMS
Description | Timing | Percentage |
---|---|---|
500 Report - site assessment, identifying social dimensions of site conservation
| From Week 1 to Week 4 | 15% |
Essay evaluation of ecological, psychological and sociological factors influencing of a conservation problem
| From Week 3 to Week 8 | 50% |
Report – suggest conservation strategies to address social dimensions of a conservation challenge
| During the examination period | 35% |
Last updated: 11 April 2024
Dates & times
- Semester 2
Principal coordinator Stephanie Lavau Coordinator Kathryn Williams Mode of delivery On Campus (Parkville) Contact hours Total of 36 hours: 11 hours lectures, 22 hours tutorials; 3 hours of field trip (conducted during normal class hours) Total time commitment 170 hours Teaching period 3 August 2020 to 1 November 2020 Last self-enrol date 14 August 2020 Census date 21 September 2020 Last date to withdraw without fail 16 October 2020 Assessment period ends 27 November 2020
Last updated: 11 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 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
- 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: 11 April 2024