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Online
Session1
Session1

Unit description

Aims to introduce students to theories addressing the interactions of nature and culture. Primarily the subject proposes to engage in environmental and ecological issues and discourses from the perspective of cultural studies. Students will explore the relationship between the human and non-human in respect to their socio-cultural and activist implications.

Unit content

LOCATING ECOCULTURAL STUDIES

Cycle 1: Ecocultural theoretical alternatives

  • Environmental ethics and cultural studies
  • The nature of politics/the politics of nature

Cycle 2: Geographies of identity

  • Intersections of identity with approaches to nature
  • What's 'natural'?

WALKING

Cycle 3: Geographies of power and resistance

  • EcoRacism
  • Indigeneity

Cycle 4: Practising theory

  • Sites of contestation
  • Active(ist) bodies

Learning outcomes

Unit Learning Outcomes express learning achievement in terms of what a student should know, understand and be able to do on completion of a unit. These outcomes are aligned with the graduate attributes. The unit learning outcomes and graduate attributes are also the basis of evaluating prior learning.

GA1: Intellectual rigour, GA2: Creativity, GA3: Ethical practice, GA4: Knowledge of a discipline, GA5: Lifelong learning, GA6: Communication and social skills, GA7: Cultural competence
On completion of this unit, students should be able to:GA1GA2GA3GA4GA5GA6GA7
1demonstrate an understanding of an ecocultural approach to contemporary theory and cultureEthical practiceKnowledge of a disciplineLifelong learning
2apply ecocultural principles to an analysis of specific cultural textsEthical practiceKnowledge of a discipline
3interrogate approaches to culture in which considerations of nature are absentEthical practiceKnowledge of a disciplineLifelong learning
4recognise some of the differences in the relation between nature and culture among different cultural and social groups within AustraliaEthical practiceKnowledge of a disciplineLifelong learning
5critique a range of approaches to 'nature' with relevant theoretical, activist, ethical and practical insightsEthical practiceKnowledge of a discipline
6demonstrate a deeper analysis and consideration of localised practices in the context of these insights.Ethical practiceKnowledge of a disciplineLifelong learning

On completion of this unit, students should be able to:

  1. demonstrate an understanding of an ecocultural approach to contemporary theory and culture
    • GA3: Ethical practice
    • GA4: Knowledge of a discipline
    • GA5: Lifelong learning
  2. apply ecocultural principles to an analysis of specific cultural texts
    • GA3: Ethical practice
    • GA4: Knowledge of a discipline
  3. interrogate approaches to culture in which considerations of nature are absent
    • GA3: Ethical practice
    • GA4: Knowledge of a discipline
    • GA5: Lifelong learning
  4. recognise some of the differences in the relation between nature and culture among different cultural and social groups within Australia
    • GA3: Ethical practice
    • GA4: Knowledge of a discipline
    • GA5: Lifelong learning
  5. critique a range of approaches to 'nature' with relevant theoretical, activist, ethical and practical insights
    • GA3: Ethical practice
    • GA4: Knowledge of a discipline
  6. demonstrate a deeper analysis and consideration of localised practices in the context of these insights.
    • GA3: Ethical practice
    • GA4: Knowledge of a discipline
    • GA5: Lifelong learning

Prescribed texts

  • No prescribed texts.
Prescribed texts may change in future study periods.

Teaching and assessment

Teaching method
Tutorial online 2 hours (12)
Assessment
Participation20%
Project30%
Essay50%
Notice

Intensive offerings may or may not be scheduled in every session. Please refer to the timetable for further details.

Southern Cross University employs different teaching methods within units to provide students with the flexibility to choose the mode of learning that best suits them. SCU academics strive to use the latest approaches and, as a result, the learning modes and materials may change. The most current information regarding a unit will be provided to enrolled students at the beginning of the study session.

Fee information

Domestic

Commonwealth Supported courses
For information regarding Student Contribution Amounts please visit the Student Contribution Amounts.
Commencing 2020 Commonwealth Supported only. Student contribution band: 1

Fee paying courses
For POSTGRADUATE or UNDERGRADUATE full fee paying courses please check Domestic Postgraduate Fees OR Domestic Undergraduate Fees

International

Please check the international course and fee list to determine the relevant fees.

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