121-068 Redefining Nature

50 points of first-year subjects in the Faculty of Arts.

This subject will address anthropological issues raised by the discourse of environmentalism, exploring the diverse ways in which individuals and societies perceive and interact with their environments. Students will explore constructions of nature and culture, how people place themselves in space and in time, and how they place the things of the world in relation to themselves. Students will also address uses and limitations of 'traditional ecological knowledge', patterns of land tenure and issues of land management. Students should become familiar with the different ways people interpret their roles and responsibilities in relation to the natural world, and with the ways understandings of nature both reflect and affect how people see themselves and their society.

• have practice in conducting research and speaking articulately;

• have practice in writing clearly in a variety of formats and reading with attention to detail;

• have experience of systematically evaluating a body of empirical data and identifying its theoretical context;

• have experience of methods of critical inquiry and argument leading to improved analytical skills;

• have acquired awareness of issues relating to cross-cultural communication.

Two 500 word tutorial papers 17.5% each (due during the semester), an essay outline 5% (due in week 11) and a 3000 word essay 60% (due at the end of the semester). A hurdle requirement of participation in 9 of 11 tutorial (ie. 80% of tutorials)