Critical essay on a topic chosen from a list covering main concepts in the subject material

Contribution to workshop discussions and tasks

Culture, Knowledge and Environment

AN2013 - Culture, Knowledge and Environment

This subject explores the key concepts and debates concerning the nature of knowledge about the environment across cultures. Science will be examined as a culturally specific approach to the environment, including its protection and preservation. Indigenous knowledge systems, modes of production and conceptions of technology will be explored to assess what they may offer in terms of generating new approaches to environmental management issues. Some of the guiding ideas relating to key concepts such as &#39;human being&#39;, &#39;nature&#39;, &#39;ecoysystem&#39;, &#39;civilised&#39;, &#39;wild&#39;, &#39;common property&#39;, &#39;resource&#39; and &#39;conservation&#39; will be examined from a historical and cultural perspective. The focus of the subject is to understand eco-cosmologies in a variety of cultural contexts ranging from Australia to Asia and to explore the intersection of local with global environmental politics.

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AN5013 - Culture, Knowledge & Environmental Management in the Context of Global Development

Culture, Knowledge & Environmental Management in the Context of Global Development

Critically appraise the diversity of knowledge systems, modes of production and conceptions of technology and how these relate to environmental concerns

Evaluate issues associated with culturally specific approaches to the environment within a broader global context

Analyse the tensions and synergies of Indigenous and scientific knowledge and the extent to which power relations and colonial, bureaucratic and political contexts determine the relevance given to each

Critique popular representations of science and situate disagreements between science and Indigenous knowledge in the context of historical and contemporary global power structures

Analyse Indigenous conceptual schemes and practices in a non-hierarchical manner