ENV432E

Environment and health

(ART)

Dr Sharron Pfueller

6 or 8 points + 2 hours per week + First semester + Clayton + Prerequisites: Consent of subject coordinator

Synopsis: The interrelationships between environment and human physical and psychological well-being are explored, studying their role in the expression, causation and treatment of genetic, infectious and degenerative disease. The prevailing biomedical health paradigm is compared to ecological ones, across time and cultures, which extend current focus on human-centred, technological disease control to a view of health as a dynamic and harmonious equilibrium of all the elements and forces making up and surrounding a human being. Seminars and projects provide opportunities to apply these understandings to specific diseases and environmental factors of individual interest.

Assessment: 6 points: post-1998 students - Project (1500 words): 35% + Two essays (total of 3000 words): 55% + Class contribution 10%. 8 points: pre-1998 students - Project (2000 words): 35% + Two essays (total of 4000 words): 55% + Class contribution: 10%