UNSW Handbook Course - Environment, Society and Culture

Environment, Society and Culture - SOCA3212


	Faculty: Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences
	School: School of Social Sciences and International Studies
	Course Outline: http://sociology.arts.unsw.edu.au/
	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
	Excluded: GENT1210, SOCA5125
	Fee Band: 1 (more info)
	Further Information: See Class Timetable

Description

Examines environmental issues from a sociological viewpoint, analysing the social causes and consequences of resource scarcity and environmental degradation, and looks at societal responses to those problems. From this perspective, environmental problems are viewed as social problems, requiring an understanding of the social conditions that produce environmental problems and affect the extent and nature of solutions to them. Topics include who defines environmental problems; economic production practices; environmental movements; the global nature of environmental problems; environmental policy; a history of human modes of production and consumption; the role of culture in environmental problems; environmental justice; and environmental sustainability.

Learning Outcomes

The student who successfully completes this course should be able to demonstrate:

An ability to apply sociological perspectives, research, and analytical tools to issues involving the natural environment
An awareness of how the natural environment may influence and be influenced by patterns of social behaviour and organisation
An understanding of the prominent role played by social inequalities in environmental issues
An understanding of how our interpretations of environmental phenomena are socially constructed
A comprehension of the connection between what is happening locally and globally in terms of environmental issues
An awareness of how environmental conditions may be altered through various forms of social action.

Assessment

Essay (2500 words) - 40%
Four fieldwork exercises - 40%
On-line tutorial participation - 10%
In-class tutorial participation - 10%

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© The University of New South Wales (CRICOS Provider No.: 00098G), 2004-2011. The information contained in this Handbook is indicative only. While every effort is made to keep this information up-to-date, the University reserves the right to discontinue or vary arrangements, programs and courses at any time without notice and at its discretion. While the University will try to avoid or minimise any inconvenience, changes may also be made to programs, courses and staff after enrolment. The University may also set limits on the number of students in a course.