Environmental Education Elective 2009
ELECTIVE MODULE 1: 13 – 24 July 2009
Changing Environments & Environmental Education
[Professor Rob O'Donoghue]
Participants will review and deliberate the environmental histories of the USA and southern African landscapes to probe emerging patterns of socio-ecological change that have given rise to conservation, environmental and sustainability education. The course is developed around a review of landscape histories and interpretative excursions into the local environment. Participants will read on a daily theme for a seminar where groups of lead discussant elect to each write up the topic into a comparative analysis of environmental change in their home country and southern Africa. The papers will be peer-reviewed so that areas of common interest can be identified for the service-learning activities in week two.
The aim of the course is twofold:
1. Develop critical environmental literacy
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Review and deliberate historical evidence on developing environment issues and risks
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Read and discuss case studies of environment concerns and education activities that have developed in response to these
2. Enhance practical reason and action competence
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Engage an indigenous social capital of environmental practices and ways of knowing to enhance and sustain human wellbeing in a healthy environment today
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Undertake practical, hands-on learning, research and service activities in the local area
The course will involve a review of historical evidence and a critical engagement with case study materials alongside encounters with local, intergenerational knowledge practices and participation in practical hands-on learning activities. The developing interplay of scholastic and practical reason will prepare course participants for a series of community service encounters when they will work in local institutional, park and community settings during week two of the programme.
Topics:
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Landscape Change in the Environmental History of USA and South Africa
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The Taming of Nature: Hunting and the Development of National Parks
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Forests, Plantations and Invasive Plants
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Agriculture and Food Security
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Environment, Health and Sustainability
