Interdisciplinary Foundation Subject
100-187: Knowing Nature
This subject is offered in semester one.
Subject Description
The subject investigates different ways of understanding nature and the natural world with a focus on species, ecosystems and landscapes as scales of analysis. The historical development of our current scientific understanding of nature is a central theme considered in relation to understandings of nature within different cultures, political contexts and philosophical perspectives. Particular emphasis will be given to the impact of the following ideas: the scientific revolution and changing perceptions of the physical world; the role of landscape change in the evolution and functioning of species and ecosystems; contested notions of nature and the natural world, including an examination of tensions between religious, political, ethnic, scientific and philosophical perspectives in understanding landscapes and wilderness.
Subject Objectives
Students who complete this subject should:
- be familiar with multi-disciplinary approaches to investigating and understanding the natural world;
- have developed a sound grasp of basic concepts and approaches to the study of nature;
- understand cross-cultural approaches to nature through scientific, social, political, cultural and philosophical perspectives;
- be able to understand and analyse current debates about the evolving relationship between humans and nature.
Interdisciplinary Foundation Skills
Students who complete this subject should:
- understand a range of disciplines and methodologies appropriate to the texts, artefacts, theoretical structures and social practices with which they are concerned;
- have developed a capacity for critical thought and analysis through the construction and articulation of lucid, logical arguments;
- have developed oral and written skills through essay writing and tutorial participation;
- have acquired the tools for independent and targeted research, using library and other information services;
- have the ability to organise and manage their time through the planning of class assessments and the meeting of set due dates.