Unit of Study ENVR6008 Ecological Perspectives for Transformational Change (2024)

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Unit Snapshot

Unit type

PG Coursework Unit
Credit points

12
Faculty & College

Faculty of Science and Engineering
Placement

No

Unit description

Explores the emergence of holistic, complex adaptive systems approaches to thinking and knowledge, compared with reductionist science and mechanistic understandings of nature, and indigenous knowledges. Examines human ecology, including the role of different belief systems and their impact on ecological perspectives, which in turn influence individual and communal behaviour. Considers the role of ecological literacy in the context of regenerative agriculture. Students explore their connection to the environment, to systems and to holistic thinking through theory and practice, and how this can contribute to transformative change for our land and societies.

Unit content

1. A mechanistic society: belief systems, learning, science and philosophy

2. A complex universe: understanding complex systems, Indigenous thinking and knowledges

3. Approaches for interpreting one’s relationship with the natural world and guiding transformational change

4. Applying diverse and multidisciplinary knowledges to networks of complex adaptive systems

5. Holistic evaluation of ecosystem complexity - applying systems thinking

6. Evaluating different approaches for managing complex systems

Availabilities

Location	Domestic	International
Online	Term3	Term3

Learning outcomes

Unit Learning Outcomes express learning achievement in terms of what a student should know, understand and be able to do on completion of a unit. These outcomes are aligned with the graduate attributes. The unit learning outcomes and graduate attributes are also the basis of evaluating prior learning.

On completion of this unit, students should be able to:

evaluate differences between mechanistic and complex adaptive systems worldviews and how this influences ecological perspectives, science and land management practice

apply reflective analysis to understand the relationship between worldview and land management, including one's personal relationship with the natural world

develop an understanding of the role of Indigenous thinking and knowledges, including their role for supporting transformative change in agriculture

bring diverse and multidisciplinary knowledges together to explain what may be required to enable transformative change

Teaching and assessment

Teaching method

Workshop 1 hr (Weekly)

Tutorial 2 hrs (Weekly)

Assessment
Discussion board	SR
Reflective writing	50%
Creative work	50%

Prescribed learning resources

Prescribed Texts

No prescribed texts.

Prescribed Resources/Equipment

Students must have a working headset with microphone, plus video for participation in online tutorials and lectures.

Prescribed Learning Resources may change in future Teaching Periods.

Fee information

Domestic

Commonwealth Supported courses
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Fee paying courses
For postgraduate or undergraduate full-fee paying courses please check Domestic Postgraduate Fees OR Domestic Undergraduate Fees.

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