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

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Unit Snapshot

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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

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.