Notice
As part of Phase 3 of our return to campus plan, most units will now run tutorials, seminars and other small group activities on campus, and most will keep an online version available to those students unable to return or those who choose to continue their studies online.
To check the availability of face-to-face and online activities for your unit, please go to timetable viewer. To check detailed information on unit assessments visit your unit's iLearn space or consult your unit convenor.
Unit convenor and teaching staff |
Unit convenor and teaching staff
Convenor and Lecturer
Jessica McLean
Room 414, Level 4, 25B Wally's Walk
Tuesdays 9am-11am
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Credit points |
Credit points
10
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Prerequisites |
Prerequisites
Admission to MRes
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Corequisites |
Corequisites
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Co-badged status |
Co-badged status
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Unit description |
Unit description
Geologists are investigating whether we have entered a new geological epoch known as the Anthropocene in which humanity is a driving force of global environmental change. With human activities increasingly connected to processes of planetary degradation there is an urgent need for multidisciplinary research that overcomes traditional divides between physical scientists, social scientists and environmental humanities researchers. This unit offers an interdisciplinary and critical introduction to Anthropocene studies, an important area for current and future research. The unit focuses upon how we should live in the Anthropocene and respond to the knowledge that current socioecological practices are not sustainable. Some key themes include: histories of the Anthropocene; human-nature relations; social and environmental justice; Indigenous knowledges; non-human agency; environmental governance; activism and impacts. The unit is team taught involving leading thinkers from across the university. It is designed to be accessible to students from a wide range of backgrounds and incorporates considerable flexibility to steer assessments towards your research interests. |
Information about important academic dates including deadlines for withdrawing from units are available at https://www.mq.edu.au/study/calendar-of-dates
On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:
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
Name | Weighting | Hurdle | Due |
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Living in the Anthropocene Blog | 25% | No | From weeks 2-10 |
Anthropocene Field Project | 45% | No | Week 13, Friday 4th June 5pm |
Weekly Reflective Summaries | 30% | No | Weekly |
Assessment Type 1: Non-academic writing
Indicative Time on Task 2: 20 hours
Due: From weeks 2-10
Weighting: 25%
A substantive 1500-word blog linked to a unit theme. The blog is written in a topical and engaging style that competently engages with complex concepts associated with the topic and the broader challenges associated with living in the Anthropocene.
Assessment Type 1: Essay
Indicative Time on Task 2: 60 hours
Due: Week 13, Friday 4th June 5pm
Weighting: 45%
A small field 3000-word research project informed by ideas, theories and debates associated with the Anthropocene. The ‘field’ is flexibly defined in this task and can involve a combination of textual, media and observational analysis.
Assessment Type 1: Log book
Indicative Time on Task 2: 18 hours
Due: Weekly
Weighting: 30%
Thoughtful and reflective record of the weekly required readings assigned the unit. It will include a summary of the reading material and a reflection on new insights gained, what was interesting, and any points of disagreement.
1 If you need help with your assignment, please contact:
2 Indicative time-on-task is an estimate of the time required for completion of the assessment task and is subject to individual variation
FOAR7005 will be taught through a series of two-hour discussion-based workshops hosted by researchers from across the University. Students will be set required readings before the workshop and these readings will form the basis for in-depth workshop discussions. The unit is supported by an iLearn website – where readings and assessment instructions and criteria will be made available. Please note that this unit requires compulsory participation in the workshops.
Week |
Topic |
Facilitator |
1
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Introduction to Living in the Anthropocene: possibilities and problems
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Dr Jess McLean |
2
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The Anthropocene is a very big deal! A historical introduction to the Anthropocene |
TBC |
3
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Indigenous engagement with the Anthropocene |
Jess McLean 'Undermined' film |
4
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Encountering the Anthropocene: recalcitrant natures |
A/Prof Donna Houston |
5
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Equity and sustainability in the Anthropocene |
Dr Michelle Lim |
6
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Does Digital Information Represent an Existential Crisis for Humanity? | Prof Michael Gillings |
7
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Multi-species worlds and plantationscapes in the Anthropocene
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Dr Sophie Chao |
Recess |
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8
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Building resilience in the Anthropocene |
Dr Peter Rogers |
9
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Activating a digital Anthropocene |
Dr Jess McLean |
10
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Educating young people in the Anthropocene
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Dr Sarah Powell |
11
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Urban responsibilities in the Anthropocene |
Dr Sara Fuller
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12
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Researching the Anthropocene |
Jess McLean |
13
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Reflections and summary |
Jess McLean |
Macquarie University policies and procedures are accessible from Policy Central (https://policies.mq.edu.au). Students should be aware of the following policies in particular with regard to Learning and Teaching:
Students seeking more policy resources can visit Student Policies (https://students.mq.edu.au/support/study/policies). It is your one-stop-shop for the key policies you need to know about throughout your undergraduate student journey.
To find other policies relating to Teaching and Learning, visit Policy Central (https://policies.mq.edu.au) and use the search tool.
Macquarie University students have a responsibility to be familiar with the Student Code of Conduct: https://students.mq.edu.au/admin/other-resources/student-conduct
Results published on platform other than eStudent, (eg. iLearn, Coursera etc.) 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 or if you are a Global MBA student contact globalmba.support@mq.edu.au
Macquarie University provides a range of support services for students. For details, visit http://students.mq.edu.au/support/
Learning Skills (mq.edu.au/learningskills) provides academic writing resources and study strategies to help you improve your marks and take control of your study.
The Library provides online and face to face support to help you find and use relevant information resources.
Students with a disability are encouraged to contact the Disability Service who can provide appropriate help with any issues that arise during their studies.
For all student enquiries, visit Student Connect at ask.mq.edu.au
If you are a Global MBA student contact globalmba.support@mq.edu.au
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.
The unit schedule and content has changed in 2021 in terms of content and structure. Contributions from Law (Dr Michelle Lim) and Education (Dr Sarah Powell) are now included in the curriculum, along with Anthropology (Dr Sophie Chao), Biology (Prof Michael Gillings), Sociology (Dr Peter Rogers) and Geography (A/Prof Donna Houston, Dr Sara Fuller, Dr Jess McLean and A/Prof Andrew McGregor).
Unit information based on version 2021.03 of the Handbook