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Insects Shaping Society (UNIB10018)
Undergraduate level 1Points: 12.5Dual-Delivery (Parkville)
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About this subject
Contact information
Semester 2
Overview
| Availability | Semester 2 - Dual-Delivery |
|---|---|
| Fees | Look up fees |
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
On completion of this subject, students should be able to:
- 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: 21 January 2025