Nature, Conservation and Society (ENST30004)

Undergraduate level 3Points: 12.5On Campus (Parkville)

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Overview

Availability
Semester 2
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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

In addition to learning specific skills that will assist students in their future careers in science, they will have the opportunity to develop generic skills that will assist them in any future career path. These include;

  • 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: 4 April 2025

Eligibility and requirements

Prerequisites

A minimum of one of

Code Name Teaching period Credit Points
ENST20001 Human Behaviour and Environment
Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville)
 12.5
EVSC20005 Contested Resources No longer available
GEOG20001 Society and Environments
Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville)
 12.5
GEOG20003 Environmental Politics and Management
Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville)
 12.5

AND

A minimum of one of

Code Name Teaching period Credit Points
BIOL10001 Biology of Australian Flora & Fauna
Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville)
 12.5
BOTA20002 Plant Biodiversity
Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville)
 12.5
BOTA20004 Flora of Victoria
Summer Term (On Campus - Parkville)
 12.5
ECOL20003 Ecology
Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville)
 12.5
EVSC20004 Blue Planet - Intro to Marine Biology
Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville)
 12.5
LARC10001 Natural History
Semester 2 (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: 4 April 2025

Assessment

DescriptionTimingPercentage

Report - site assessment, identifying social dimensions of site conservation

  • 500 words
Week 515%

Essay - evaluation of ecological, psychological and sociological factors influencing a conservation problem

  • 2000 words
Week 950%

Report – suggest conservation strategies to address social dimensions of a conservation challenge

  • 1500 words
During the examination period35%

Last updated: 4 April 2025

Dates & times

  • Semester 2
    CoordinatorStephanie Lavau
    Mode of deliveryOn Campus (Parkville)
    Contact hoursTotal of 36 hours: 11 hours lectures, 22 hours tutorials; 3 hours of field trip (conducted during normal class hours)
    Total time commitment170 hours
    Teaching period22 July 2024 to 20 October 2024
    Last self-enrol date 2 August 2024
    Census date 2 September 2024
    Last date to withdraw without fail20 September 2024
    Assessment period ends15 November 2024

What do these dates mean

Visit this webpage to find out about these key dates, including how they impact on:

  • Your tuition fees, academic transcript and statements.
  • And for Commonwealth Supported students, your:
       -  Student Learning Entitlement. This applies to all students enrolled in a Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP).
     

    Subjects withdrawn after the census date (including up to the ‘last day to withdraw without fail’) count toward the Student Learning Entitlement.

Last updated: 4 April 2025

Further information

Last updated: 4 April 2025