Unit convenor and teaching staff |
Unit convenor and teaching staff
Unit Convenor
Andrew McGregor
Contact via email
W3A 412
by appointment
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Credit points |
Credit points
4
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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
GEOP800
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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.
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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. The criteria and standards for each assignment will be made available via iLearn.
Name | Weighting | Hurdle | Due |
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Short report | 15% | No | 11:55pm Wednesday 21 March |
Critical Reflection | 25% | No | 11:55pm Wednesday 11 April |
Eco-philosophy research essay | 30% | No | 11:55pm Wednesday 6 June |
Group presentation | 20% | No | From week 8 onwards |
Group reading task | 10% | No | all semester |
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.
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.
Due: 11:55pm Wednesday 6 June
Weighting: 30%
Write an essay of up to 2000 words which answers ONE of the following essay questions:
1) As human / nature divisions blur more researchers from the social sciences and humanities are focusing upon (socio)ecological issues - traditionally the domain of the natural sciences - often under the banner of the ecological (or environmental) humanities. Discuss some of the innovative ways that researchers within the ecological humanities approach research (eg environmental history, political ecology, multi-species ethnography, storytelling, etc.) and the ecophilosophies that most align with their approaches.
2) Discuss what eco-philosophy/ies will most inform your research in MRes Year 2. Justify your choice and reflect on what strengths and limitations of adopting this approach.
3) Choose a recent research book / special issue of a journal in your interest area. Critically analyse the environmental ethics that inform the research that has been conducted. Discuss whether the ethics consistent and appropriate, and what is highlighted and omitted through the ethical lens adopted.
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.
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:
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.
GEOP700 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.
Week |
Date |
Topic |
Lecturer |
Assignment |
Section A |
Eco-philosophies and environmental attitudes |
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1 |
1 March |
Introduction: Social natures |
AM |
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2 |
8 March |
Indigenous nature |
tbc |
Group reading tasks begin |
3 |
15 March |
Western nature |
AM |
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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 |
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7 | 12 April |
Ecofeminism |
AM | Critical reflection due |
Mid-semester break |
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8 | 3 May |
More-than-human |
AA | Group presentations begin |
Section B |
Environmental attitudes in society |
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9 |
10 May |
Environmental movements: North and South |
AM |
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10 |
17 May |
Contesting environmental attitudes |
AM |
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11 |
24 May |
Market environmentalism |
AM |
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12 |
31 May |
Environmental justice |
AM |
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13 |
7 June |
Future nature |
AM |
Eco-philosophy essay due |
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).
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 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.
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 improve your marks and take control of your study.
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
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.
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:
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:
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:
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:
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:
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:
Date | Description |
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26/02/2018 | Corrected error in unit guide that indicated classes were on Wednesday nights. Classes are on Thursday nights. |