ENVS1004

Social Development & the Environment

10 Units 1000 Level Course

Available in 2014

Callaghan Campus Semester 1

Previously offered in 2013, 2012, 2011

This is the first course in a sequence that covers the social dimensions of environmental issues and environmental management. The course traces the social and economic development of Australia through its Indigenous history and European colonisation. The concepts of growth and development are critically evaluated and applied to the transformations of the natural environment, the dispossession of Indigenous peoples and the structural and cultural features of contemporary Australian society. The concepts of wilderness, natural heritage, and resource use are introduced to explore attitudes towards conservation, preservation and "wise use", and to highlight the entanglement of nature and culture in the Australian landscape. The questions of sustainability and environmental justice are considered in relation to contemporary Australian society and environments.

In order to participate in this course, students must complete a compulsory Health and Safety requirement. Students will receive full information on this compulsory component in the course outline provided by the school.

Objectives On successful completion of the course, students will be able to:

1. apply the insights from Australian environmental history to issues in environmental management;
2. critically analyse different models/theories of the concept of development as they apply to the Australian context;
3. have particular regard for the impact of development on Indigenous people;
4. have an understanding of the main features of social systems and cultural values as they apply to natural systems' management in contemporary Australia;
5. determine the role of 'values' in the assessment of natural and cultural heritage;
6. appreciate the interconnectedness between humans and the environment.
Content As indicated in the course description, this course covers material relevant to Australian environmental history and the impacts of the development of the Australian environment since 1788. Topics will be selected from:

- The concepts of Western progress and development and the expansion of Europe into the New World;
- Australian Environmental History;
- Australia as an Indigenous landscape in contemporary, colonial and precolonial eras;
- The European colonisation of Australia and its impact on Indigenous Australia;
- The impact of colonisation on the Australian environment;
- Urbanisation, population and the environment;
- The role of resource development in shaping Australian society and environments;
- What's left? Heritage values in Australia;
- Sustainability, environmental justice and directions for future social development.
Replacing Course(s) EMGT1020
Transition Not to count with credit for EMGT1020.
Industrial Experience 0
Assumed Knowledge Nil
Modes of Delivery Internal Mode
Teaching Methods Field Study
Lecture
Tutorial
Assessment Items
Essays / Written Assignments
Examination: Formal
Presentations - Tutorial
Reports Field excursion report
Contact Hours Tutorial: for 1 hour(s) per Week for Full Term
Lecture: for 2 hour(s) per Week for Full Term
Field Study: for 4 hour(s) per Week for 1 weeks
Compulsory Components
Compulsory Course Component OHS-Safety Induction or Risk Assessment. In order to participate in this course, students must complete a compulsory safety and fieldwork induction.
Timetables 2014 Course Timetables for ENVS1004