GES3290

Society, nature and settlement in the New World

Professor Joseph Powell

12 points
* 3 hours per week
* First semester
* Clayton
* Prerequisites: Any second-year human geography subject, or permission of the head of department

Objectives In performing the tasks of this subject, students should show that they can explain the consequences of human modifications of selected natural and built environments; describe how people's aspirations, beliefs and fears have influenced the changing patterns of settlement and land use; analyse and explain the evolution of competing and co-existing approaches to environmental learning; and identify a geographical evaluation of the emergence of conservationism and environmentalism in the modern era.

Synopsis The subject will explore a specifically `humanistic' approach to explanation in geography by examining some aspects of the functions of environmental ideas and social aspirations in the initiation, expansion and elaboration of settlement in the New World countries of the United States and Australia. Special attention is paid to the relationship between the processes of pioneer settlement and impacts on the natural and built environments.

Assessment Written (7000 words): 70%
* Examinations (2 hours): 20%
* Seminar attendance and participation: 10%

Recommended texts

Billington R A America's frontier heritage Holt, Rinehart and Winston, 1966
Conzen M P (ed.) The making of the American landscape Unwin Hyman, 1990
Huth H Nature and the American U Nebraska P, 1972
Meinig D The shaping of America vol. 1, Atlantic America, 1492- 1800 York U P, 1986
Meinig D W On the margins of the good earth Rigby, 1970
Nash R Wilderness and the American mind Yale U P, 1967
Powell J M The public lands of Australia Felix OUP, 1970
Powell J M Mirrors of the New World Dawson/ANUP, 1977
Powell J M An historical geography of modern Australia CUP, 1991
Powell J M Environmental management in Australia 1788- 1914 OUP, 1976
Ward D (ed.) Geographic perspectives on America's past OUP, 1979

Williams M The making of the South Australian landscape Academic Press, 1974