Students

GEOP800 – Attitudes to the Environment

2018 – S1 Evening

General Information

Download as PDF
Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit Convenor
Andrew McGregor
Contact via email
W3A 412
by appointment
Credit points Credit points
4
Prerequisites Prerequisites
Admission to MEnv or MEnvEd or MEngMgt or MEnvMgt or MEnvPlan or MPlan or GCertEnvPlan or MEnvStud or MIntRel or MMarScMgt or MSusDev or GradDipEnv or GradDipSIA or GradCertSIA or GradCertSusDev or GradDipSusDev or MConsBiol or GradDipConsBiol or GradDipIntRel or MDevStud or MSc in (Biodiversity Conservation or Remote Sensing and GIS or Environmental Health) or PGDipSc in Biodiversity Conservation
Corequisites Corequisites
Co-badged status Co-badged status
GEOP700
Unit description Unit description
This unit explores the ways in which humans think about nature and environment and how these ideas are formed. Given the diversity of environmental challenges that have emerged from contemporary human-nature relations there is an urgent need to explore the role that human attitudes to nature have had in contributing to these crises, and how changes in attitudes may provide some solutions. To explore these issues this unit draws from social constructionism, environmental ethics and political ecology to explore how ideas about nature and environment are created and contested. The first section of the unit looks at contemporary approaches to nature, their history and complexity. The second section explores environmental ethics and the challenges they pose to these dominant understandings of humans and nature. The final section analyses environmental ethics in society – exploring their relevance to environmental politics and our everyday ways of life.

Important Academic Dates

Information about important academic dates including deadlines for withdrawing from units are available at https://www.mq.edu.au/study/calendar-of-dates

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:

  • Advanced understanding of the core ethical principles underpinning different eco-philosophical approaches.
  • Ability to reflect upon and develop informed personal environmental attitudes and identify their relevance to practice.
  • Advanced understanding of the politics surrounding the formation of environmental attitudes.
  • Advanced understanding of the relevance of eco-philosophies to contemporary and future societies.
  • Ability to work as a team and present ethical solutions to contemporary environmental challenges.

General Assessment Information

Unless a Special Consideration request has been submitted and approved, (a) a penalty for lateness will apply – two (2) marks out of 100 will be deducted per day for assignments submitted after the due date – and (b) no assignment will be accepted more than seven (7) days (incl. weekends) after the original submission deadline. No late submissions will be accepted for timed assessments – e.g. quizzes, online tests.  The criteria and standards for each assignment will be made available via iLearn.  

Assessment Tasks

Name Weighting Hurdle Due
Short report 15% No 11:55pm Wednesday 21 March
Critical Reflection 25% No 11:55pm Wednesday 11 April
Eco-philosophy essay 30% No 11:55pm Wednesday 6 June
Group presentation 20% No From week 8 onwards
Group reading task 10% No all semester

Short report

Due: 11:55pm Wednesday 21 March
Weighting: 15%

What is meant by the social construction of nature and why is the concept important?  Write a short one page report that critically analyses how nature is socially constructed in contemporary society. You report should draw on one or more examples from advertising, websites, media, novels, official documents, film, television etc to illustrate your answer.  

This short essay is one page only (use 12 point font) (not including references).  If you would like to attach images they can be included as an Appendix or can be integrated into your one page summary.


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Advanced understanding of the relevance of eco-philosophies to contemporary and future societies.

Critical Reflection

Due: 11:55pm Wednesday 11 April
Weighting: 25%

Why do you care about the environment?

Write an essay of up to 1500 words that critically reflects on your own attitudes to the environment. Discuss the eco-philosophies that most inform your attitudes and practices.  Draw from the eco-philosophical literature to inform your reflections.


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Ability to reflect upon and develop informed personal environmental attitudes and identify their relevance to practice.

Eco-philosophy essay

Due: 11:55pm Wednesday 6 June
Weighting: 30%

Write an essay of up to 2000 words which answers ONE of the following essay questions:

a. Do attitudes to nature matter?  Draw on examples to illustrate your argument.

b. Provide a in-depth critical assessment that contrasts the ethics of the two eco-philosophies that most interest you.  As part of your analysis consider their relative influence (or potential influence) on society.

c. How can alternative eco-philosophies be put into practice?  Discuss the possibilities, and the difficulties, of empowering alternative ideas in your answer.

d. Are environmental movements successfully changing human relations to nature?  Discuss their achievements and ongoing challenges in striving to create more sustainable worlds. (You may wish to focus in on environmental movements in a particular country to make your case).

 


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Advanced understanding of the core ethical principles underpinning different eco-philosophical approaches.
  • Advanced understanding of the politics surrounding the formation of environmental attitudes.

Group presentation

Due: From week 8 onwards
Weighting: 20%

Environmental issues can be interpreted through a range of different eco-philosophical lenses.  In this assignment you will work with other class members to develop a group presentation that provides an eco-philosophical analysis of a contemporary environmental issue and generates practical and political insights.  You are welcome to choose any issue that interests your group (some suggestions are below).  You are encouraged to be creative in your presentation and are welcome to use unconventional presentation techniques such as debates, role plays, audience interaction, skits etc.  The length of your group presentation will be determined in class but will not normally exceed 30 minutes.  

Fifty percent of your grade will be based on the quality of your individual contribution to the group activity.  This will be assessed through the quality of your individual presentation and through peer assessment of your contribution to the group during the development of the presentation.  The final 50% of the grade is a shared group mark based on the overall quality and effectiveness of the group presentation.  More details, including a marking rubric, will be made available during class.

Suggested topics: deforestation; genetically modified organisms; large dams; whaling; geoengineering; carbon trading programs (e.g. REDD+, CDM); intensive animal production (factory farming); hunting; veganism; nuclear energy; mining; artificial meat; coal seam gas; pest management; fire management; Anthropocene; population growth; rewilding; renewable energy; entomophagy (eating insects); degrowth, etc.


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Advanced understanding of the core ethical principles underpinning different eco-philosophical approaches.
  • Advanced understanding of the politics surrounding the formation of environmental attitudes.
  • Advanced understanding of the relevance of eco-philosophies to contemporary and future societies.
  • Ability to work as a team and present ethical solutions to contemporary environmental challenges.

Group reading task

Due: all semester
Weighting: 10%

Each week time will be set aside for small groups discussions of the readings that will be facilitated by student discussants.  These reading sessions will be assessed in two ways:

  • 5 marks will be assigned to the discussants for their organisation and delivery of their session
  • 5 marks will be assigned to each student in the class for their overall participation in class discussions over the semester (participation also includes the iLearn online discussion boards) 

On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Advanced understanding of the core ethical principles underpinning different eco-philosophical approaches.
  • Advanced understanding of the politics surrounding the formation of environmental attitudes.

Delivery and Resources

The unit will be taught through 13 x 3 hour sessions on Thursday nights from 6-9pm in 12 Second Way Room 313.  Most sessions will involve a lecture accompanied by tutorial-style activities.  Outside of class students are expected to complete assigned readings and undertake research on topics to complete the assessment requirements.  The sessions require active and informed student input.

GEOP800 will make use of web-based teaching support through iLearn.  Students will require access to the internet and regular contact with the unit’s iLearn site.  To complete assignments students will need access to basic word processing programmes and submit assignments via turnitin.  Some students may wish to make use of powerpoint or prezi for class presentations. 

 

Unit Schedule

 

Week

Date

Topic

Lecturer

Assignment

  Section A 

Eco-philosophies and environmental attitudes

   

1

1 March

Introduction: Social natures

AM

 

2

8 March

Indigenous nature

tbc

Group reading tasks begin

3

15 March

Western nature

AM

 

4

22 March

Anthropocentric environmentalism

AM

Short report due

5 29 March

Biocentrism and animal rights 

AM  

6

5 April

Ecocentrism and deep ecology 

AM

 

7 12 April

Ecofeminism

AM Critical reflection due
   

Mid-semester break

   
8 3 May

More-than-human

AA Group presentations begin
  Section B

Environmental attitudes in society

   

9

10 May

Environmental movements: North and South

AM

10

17 May

Contesting environmental attitudes

AM

 

11

24 May

Market environmentalism

AM

12

31 May 

Environmental justice

AM

 

13

7 June

Future nature   

AM

Eco-philosophy essay due

Policies and Procedures

Macquarie University policies and procedures are accessible from Policy Central (https://staff.mq.edu.au/work/strategy-planning-and-governance/university-policies-and-procedures/policy-central). Students should be aware of the following policies in particular with regard to Learning and Teaching:

Undergraduate students seeking more policy resources can visit the Student Policy Gateway (https://students.mq.edu.au/support/study/student-policy-gateway). It is your one-stop-shop for the key policies you need to know about throughout your undergraduate student journey.

If you would like to see all the policies relevant to Learning and Teaching visit Policy Central (https://staff.mq.edu.au/work/strategy-planning-and-governance/university-policies-and-procedures/policy-central).

Student Code of Conduct

Macquarie University students have a responsibility to be familiar with the Student Code of Conduct: https://students.mq.edu.au/study/getting-started/student-conduct​

Results

Results shown in iLearn, or released directly by your Unit Convenor, are not confirmed as they are subject to final approval by the University. Once approved, final results will be sent to your student email address and will be made available in eStudent. For more information visit ask.mq.edu.au.

Student Support

Macquarie University provides a range of support services for students. For details, visit http://students.mq.edu.au/support/

Learning Skills

Learning Skills (mq.edu.au/learningskills) provides academic writing resources and study strategies to improve your marks and take control of your study.

Student Services and Support

Students with a disability are encouraged to contact the Disability Service who can provide appropriate help with any issues that arise during their studies.

Student Enquiries

For all student enquiries, visit Student Connect at ask.mq.edu.au

IT Help

For help with University computer systems and technology, visit http://www.mq.edu.au/about_us/offices_and_units/information_technology/help/

When using the University's IT, you must adhere to the Acceptable Use of IT Resources Policy. The policy applies to all who connect to the MQ network including students.

Graduate Capabilities

PG - Capable of Professional and Personal Judgment and Initiative

Our postgraduates will demonstrate a high standard of discernment and common sense in their professional and personal judgment. They will have the ability to make informed choices and decisions that reflect both the nature of their professional work and their personal perspectives.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcome

  • Ability to reflect upon and develop informed personal environmental attitudes and identify their relevance to practice.

Assessment task

  • Critical Reflection

PG - Discipline Knowledge and Skills

Our postgraduates will be able to demonstrate a significantly enhanced depth and breadth of knowledge, scholarly understanding, and specific subject content knowledge in their chosen fields.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Advanced understanding of the core ethical principles underpinning different eco-philosophical approaches.
  • Advanced understanding of the politics surrounding the formation of environmental attitudes.

Assessment tasks

  • Eco-philosophy essay
  • Group presentation
  • Group reading task

PG - Critical, Analytical and Integrative Thinking

Our postgraduates will be capable of utilising and reflecting on prior knowledge and experience, of applying higher level critical thinking skills, and of integrating and synthesising learning and knowledge from a range of sources and environments. A characteristic of this form of thinking is the generation of new, professionally oriented knowledge through personal or group-based critique of practice and theory.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Advanced understanding of the core ethical principles underpinning different eco-philosophical approaches.
  • Advanced understanding of the politics surrounding the formation of environmental attitudes.

Assessment tasks

  • Eco-philosophy essay
  • Group presentation
  • Group reading task

PG - Research and Problem Solving Capability

Our postgraduates will be capable of systematic enquiry; able to use research skills to create new knowledge that can be applied to real world issues, or contribute to a field of study or practice to enhance society. They will be capable of creative questioning, problem finding and problem solving.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Advanced understanding of the politics surrounding the formation of environmental attitudes.
  • Advanced understanding of the relevance of eco-philosophies to contemporary and future societies.

Assessment tasks

  • Short report
  • Eco-philosophy essay
  • Group presentation

PG - Effective Communication

Our postgraduates will be able to communicate effectively and convey their views to different social, cultural, and professional audiences. They will be able to use a variety of technologically supported media to communicate with empathy using a range of written, spoken or visual formats.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcome

  • Ability to work as a team and present ethical solutions to contemporary environmental challenges.

Assessment task

  • Group presentation

PG - Engaged and Responsible, Active and Ethical Citizens

Our postgraduates will be ethically aware and capable of confident transformative action in relation to their professional responsibilities and the wider community. They will have a sense of connectedness with others and country and have a sense of mutual obligation. They will be able to appreciate the impact of their professional roles for social justice and inclusion related to national and global issues

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Advanced understanding of the core ethical principles underpinning different eco-philosophical approaches.
  • Ability to reflect upon and develop informed personal environmental attitudes and identify their relevance to practice.

Assessment tasks

  • Critical Reflection
  • Eco-philosophy essay
  • Group presentation
  • Group reading task

Changes since First Published

Date Description
26/02/2018 Corrected error in unit guide that indicated classes were on Wednesday night. Classes are on Thursday nights.