UNSW Handbook Course - Environment, Technology and Politics

Environment, Technology and Politics - HPSC2500


	Faculty: Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences
	School: School of History and Philosophy
	Course Outline: See below
	Campus: Kensington Campus
	Career: Undergraduate
	Units of Credit: 6
	EFTSL: 0.125 (more info)
	Contact Hours per Week: 3
	Enrolment Requirements:
	Prerequisite: 36 units of credit
	Equivalent: PHIL2420
	Fee Band: 2 (more info)
	Further Information: See Class Timetable

Description

Provides historical, social and political background for understanding the 'social crisis of the environment' - often blamed on the technological systems of 'Western Industrialised Society'. Also examines alternative visions such as 'Deep Ecology', 'Ecofeminism', and 'Ecological Democracy'. Key developments of thought and action in Western society are related to present day environmental politics. Topics include: pre-industrial developments in Europe; the ideas of the Enlightenment; changing images of nature; ecological impacts of industrialisation; globalisation; and public participation. Examples are drawn from the politics of energy systems, the relationship between agriculture and civilisation, and the politics of waste.

Learning Outcomes

After completing this course, students should:

Understand and be able to explain the important elements of contemporary debates about environmental politics
Identify and discuss key historical developments that have driven these debates
Provide a critique of Western views of the human-nature relationship, and science's roles in that relationship
Assess the role of the humanities and social sciences in environmental analysis
Become better able to communicate critical thinking in both written and spoken formats, for participation in policy debate and other purposes.

Assessment

Journal - 50%
Tutorial exercises - 20%
Final essay (2500 words) - 30%

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