This intensive course will involve 4 weeks of in-country traveling and study at the University of Tokyo and the Mt Fuji region of Japan followed by equivalent time at the ANU and the Kioloa Coastal Campus facility. The course asks the fundamental questions, "How do we explain the remarkably abrupt changes that sometimes occur in nature and society?" and "What can knowledge of the past tell us about our future?". Much of what we know of the deeper past comes from natural archives of changing cultural landscapes and environment. In Australia and the Asia-Pacific region there is a rich body of evidence for past changes in culture, climate, landscape and biodiversity that is only just beginning to be explored. The evidence for critical transitions that have occurred in nature and society will be discussed and students will see first-hand examples of how environmental change has influenced past and present societies and cultures. The course combines in-class learning, museum visits and fieldtrips to Mt Fuji and the ANU's coastal campus (Kioloa Coastal Campus). The course will provide students with a deeper understanding and the practical skills to engage in current issues that span the sciences and humanities.
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:
On satisfying the requirements of this course, students will have the knowledge and skills to:
LO 1. Describe the role that natural processes and human impacts may have on landscapes in the past and understand how the evidence is obtained.
LO 2. Reflect on the natural and human influences that explain past cultural and environmental conditions and be able to communicate these to a general audience.
LO 3. Evaluate how differing perceptions of natural and cultural landscapes have influenced societies through time.
LO4. Learn to communicate ideas about environmental change effectively in two contrasting cultures.
Other Information
Funding and application details can be found at the ANU Global Programs website here.
This is a co-taught course. Any cap on enrolments in one course applies to both courses combined.
Indicative Assessment
Assessment will be based on activities and work produced throughout course. The following assessment will occur in Japan and Australia for the two parts of this course
Japan
* Workbook for reflective writing (LO 1,2,3).
Australia
* Four Quizes (LO 1,2,3).
* Workbook for reflective writing (LO 1,2,3).
* Research presentation on selected key topic chosen during the course delivered on Day 20 (LO 1,2,3,4)
* 2 x Essay (2000 words each) based on a key topic chosen during the lectures and field visits delivered on Day 10 and 20 (LO 1,2,3)
The ANU uses Turnitin to enhance student citation and referencing techniques, and to assess assignment submissions as a component of the University's approach to managing Academic Integrity. While the use of Turnitin is not mandatory, the ANU highly recommends Turnitin is used by both teaching staff and students. For additional information regarding Turnitin please visit the ANU Online website.
Workload
Students will be expected to have the following workload in Japan and Australia.
The course will involve a 2hr preparatory lecture followed by 1 week of field work with 5 lectures and field visits as in-country intensive learning (4 hours per day). Students also will have workload of reading and writing assignments, estimated at 8-10 hours per week.
Requisite and Incompatibility
You will need to contact the School of Culture History and Language to request a permission code to enrol in this course.
Prescribed Texts
Recommended Textbooks:
1) Head, L. (2000) Cultural Landscapes and Environmental Change. Oxford University Press, London.
2) Scheffer, M. (2009) Critical Transitions in Nature and Society. Princeton University Press, New Jersey.
Preliminary Reading
Available online
Assumed Knowledge
Ability to travel to Australia for intensive course and participate in fieldwork activities.Fees
Tuition fees are for the academic year indicated at the top of the page.
If you are a domestic graduate coursework or international student you will be required to pay tuition fees. Tuition fees are indexed annually. Further information for domestic and international students about tuition and other fees can be found at Fees.
- Student Contribution Band:
- 1
- Unit value:
- 6 units
If you are an undergraduate student and have been offered a Commonwealth supported place, your fees are set by the Australian Government for each course. At ANU 1 EFTSL is 48 units (normally 8 x 6-unit courses). You can find your student contribution amount for each course at Fees. Where there is a unit range displayed for this course, not all unit options below may be available.
| Units | EFTSL |
|---|---|
| 6.00 | 0.12500 |
Course fees
- Domestic fee paying students
| Year | Fee |
|---|---|
| 2019 | $3360 |
- International fee paying students
| Year | Fee |
|---|---|
| 2019 | $5160 |
Offerings, Dates and Class Summary Links
ANU utilises MyTimetable to enable students to view the timetable for their enrolled courses, browse, then self-allocate to small teaching activities / tutorials so they can better plan their time. Find out more on the Timetable webpage.
Class summaries, if available, can be accessed by clicking on the View link for the relevant class number.
Summer Session
| Class number | Class start date | Last day to enrol | Census date | Class end date | Mode Of Delivery | Class Summary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1735 | 09 Jan 2019 | 09 Jan 2019 | 18 Jan 2019 | 22 Feb 2019 | In Person | N/A |
