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Society and Environments (GEOG20001)
Undergraduate level 2Points: 12.5Dual-Delivery (Parkville)
From 2023 most subjects will be taught on campus only with flexible options limited to a select number of postgraduate programs and individual subjects.
To learn more, visit COVID-19 course and subject delivery.
About this subject
- Overview
- Eligibility and requirements
- Assessment
- Dates and times
- Further information
- Timetable(opens in new window)
Contact information
Semester 1
Overview
| Availability | Semester 1 - Dual-Delivery |
|---|---|
| Fees | Look up fees |
This subject aims to think critically and rigorously about the relationship between social and natural worlds. Its primary purpose is to question the idea that the environment exists outside of, and independent from, the realms of science, culture, politics and economy. Students will be introduced to different conceptual frameworks for understanding the environment as a social entity; to the processes by which capitalism and science structures social and environmental relations; and to alternative modes of living in, and thinking about, the environment. These broad themes will be addressed through engaging examples from Australia and beyond. Particular attention will be given to the concept of 'wilderness'; the postcolonial nature of the zoo; ecotourism; the politics of visualising nature (e.g. through wildlife documentary); the 'new natures' of genetic modification; and ideas about 'environmental justice' and ‘climate crisis’.
Intended learning outcomes
On completion of the subject students should be able to:
- Compare a range of concepts and theories about how society and nature relate
- Summarise, explain, and illustrate different ways 'nature' is understood and mobilised in environmental debates
- Apply knowledge to analyse field observations and develop an argument about society-nature relations in a case study
- Demonstrate the ability to construct critical and coherent verbal and written arguments
Generic skills
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be capable of critical reading;
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be capable of thinking, writing and speaking in theoretical terms;
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develop presentation skills;
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develop skills in written communication;
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be capable of approaching research problems in the field.
Last updated: 8 August 2023
Eligibility and requirements
Prerequisites
A minimum of 100 credit points of Level 1 and/or Level 2 subjects
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: 8 August 2023
Assessment
| Description | Timing | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
A critical review
| Early in the teaching period | 10% |
A field report
| Early in the teaching period | 30% |
A practical presentation and participation
| 20% | |
A take-home exam
| End of semester | 40% |
| Hurdle requirement: Completion of each of the above assessment tasks is a hurdle requirement of this subject. | N/A |
Additional details
All assessments will be marked for appropriate referencing and checked for plagiarism and style. A late penalty of 10% a day will be assessed on all late submissions.
Last updated: 8 August 2023
Dates & times
- Semester 1
Principal coordinator Catherine Phillips Mode of delivery Dual-Delivery (Parkville) Contact hours Three hours of lectures/practicals per week Total time commitment 170 hours Teaching period 28 February 2022 to 29 May 2022 Last self-enrol date 11 March 2022 Census date 31 March 2022 Last date to withdraw without fail 6 May 2022 Assessment period ends 24 June 2022 Semester 1 contact information
Time commitment details
170 hours
Last updated: 8 August 2023
Further information
- Texts
Prescribed texts
N/A
- Subject notes
Students enrolled in the BSc (both pre-2008 and new degrees), or a combined BSc course (except for the BA/BSc) may receive science credit on the completion of this subject.
BSc students may receive second year level credit for this subject.
- Related Handbook entries
This subject contributes to the following:
Type Name Major Integrated Geography Informal specialisation Science Discipline subjects - new generation B-SCI Specialisation (formal) Development Studies Minor Development Studies Major Human Geography Minor Environmental Studies Major Geography Informal specialisation Human Geography Major Environmental Geography Informal specialisation Environments Discipline subjects Informal specialisation Integrated Geography Major Sociology Major Urban Design and Planning Breadth Track People and Environment - Breadth options
This subject is available as breadth in the following courses:
- Bachelor of Commerce
- 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 (Production)
- 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: 8 August 2023