UNSW Handbook Course - Understanding Environmental Controversy

Understanding Environmental Controversy - HPSC1500


	Faculty: Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences
	School: School of History and Philosophy of Science
	Contact: Brown,Paul Frederick
	Campus: Kensington Campus
	Career: Undergraduate
	Units of Credit: 6
	EFTSL: 0.125 (more info)
	Contact Hours per Week: 3
	Enrolment Requirements:
	Excluded: SCTS1002, SCTS1107
	Session Offered: See Class Timetable
	Fee Band: 2 (more info)

Description

Examines the nature of global and local environmental problems with particular emphasis on understanding controversies about environmental risk. Patterns of population and consumption, production and waste; what constitutes an environmental problem?; risk and risk perception; environmentalism; the uses of knowledge, science and environmental controversy; international attacks on global problems; stakeholders and stances; environmental problems in your backyard; local and global action. In the last seven weeks students will participate in group projects examining particular environmental risk controversies.

Learning Outcomes

With successful completion of this course you should:

Gain an understanding of the social, historical and political context of selected environmental issues
Be able to apply ideas about how controversies arise, evolve and close to the study of environmental matters
Be able to explain the role and characteristics of science in environmental controversies
Work more effectively as a member of a team
Feel more confident about making presentations.

Assessment

Essay (1200-1500 words) - 20%
In-class test - 20%
Group project - 35%
Tutorial tasks and participation - 25%

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