Geographical perspectives on environmental issues
Dr Stephen Legg
6 points
* 4 hours per week
* First semester
* Peninsula
Objectives On completion of this unit students be able to identify and describe environmental change; explain how natural systems respond to change; identify and explain changing environmental perceptions; critically analyse potential conflicts in environmental management and suggest appropriate management regimes and responses.
Synopsis The aim of this subject is to introduce students to a variety of approaches to understanding contemporary environmental issues. These approaches are taken from both the natural and social sciences, with the topics linked by a geographical framework. The subject begins with an historical context of environmental ideas and the human impact. It pursues some fundamental ecological and geographical concepts and investigates a selection of the earth's major ecosystems. Resource development issues are investigated and the final section deals with political and legal aspects of environmental policy at a variety of scales. A range of interpretations of human environmental behaviour is highlighted. Students are required to participate in a weekend field trip dealing with techniques in the analysis of relevant environmental processes and the interpretation of potential resource conflicts.
Assessment Written (2500 words): 40%
* Examinations (2 hours): 40%
* Tutorial paper: 20%
Prescribed text
Miller G T Living in the environment: Concepts, problems and alternatives Wadsworth, 1994
Recommended texts
Goudie A The human impact - man's role in environmental change Blackwell, 1994
Myers N (ed.) The Gaia atlas of planet management Pan Books, 1985
Young A R M Environmental change in Australia since 1788 OUP, 1996
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