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Location Domestic International
Online
Term4
N/A

Unit Summary

Unit type

UG Coursework Unit

Credit points

12

Faculty/College

Faculty of Science and Engineering

Unit aim

Explores the emergence of holistic, complex, adaptive systems approaches to thinking and knowledge, compared with reductionist science and mechanistic understandings of nature. 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.

Unit content

The universe, evolution and versions of science
Ecological Literacy: Learning, thinking, values and feelings
Building an understanding of holism and its guiding role in regenerative thinking and action
Characterising systems thinking and understanding its application
Using the regenerative agriculture model (RAM) to assess a farm(er)
Emotional intelligence, conflict resolution and transformational change

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:
1 compare mechanistic and complex adaptive systems worldviews and how this influences ecological perspectives
2 undertake reflective analysis on the relationship between worldview and land management
3 describe and interpret one’s relationship with the natural world
4 evaluate the role of both reductionistic and holistic approaches to science and agricultural practice.

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

  1. compare mechanistic and complex adaptive systems worldviews and how this influences ecological perspectives
  2. undertake reflective analysis on the relationship between worldview and land management
  3. describe and interpret one’s relationship with the natural world
  4. evaluate the role of both reductionistic and holistic approaches to science and agricultural practice.

Prescribed texts

  • Capra, F; Luisi, L, 2014, A Systems View of Life, Cambridge University Press, UK. ISBN: 978-1316616437.
  • Or: Tyson Yunkaporta, 2019, Sand Talk, e-book, The Text Publishing Company, London, UK. ISBN: 9781925773996.
  • Tyson Yunkaporta, 2019, Sand Talk, 1, The Text Publishing Company, London, UK. ISBN: 9781925773996.
Prescribed texts may change in future teaching periods.