This course introduces students to the most contentious issues in the Anthropocene. The Anthropocene has been defined as a new geological epoch around which human activity dominates the Earth’s development and environment. In response to these pressing global challenges, all UN countries signed on to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which set out an agenda for action. This course is constructed around the ideas within the SDGs, exploring a wide variety of academic opinion and a great deal of academic debate. In each case, a small number of key readings will be used to highlight the range of opinions expressed in these debates and the wider implications of these arguments for understanding the relationship between the process of economic, social, and political development and the practice of environmental and natural resource management. Specific weekly topics may change from year to year.
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:
- Pose critical questions within contemporary debates around environmental and development problems.
- Summarise and develop arguments and contribute to debates about development and the environment in the Anthropocene.
- Critically identify, analyse, and discuss long-term trends in development and environment.
Indicative Assessment
- Commentaries (multiple throughout semester) (50) [LO 1,2,3]
- Final Essay (45) [LO 1,2,3]
- Participation (5) [LO 1,2,3]
In response to COVID-19: Please note that Semester 2 Class Summary information (available under the classes tab) is as up to date as possible. Changes to Class Summaries not captured by this publication will be available to enrolled students via Wattle.
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
30 hours lectures and seminars; 90 hours reading and writing
Inherent Requirements
Not applicable
Prescribed Texts
No prescribed texts; specific readings (journal articles or book chapters) to be assigned for each topic.
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:
- 2
- 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 |
|---|---|
| 2020 | $4050 |
- International fee paying students
| Year | Fee |
|---|---|
| 2020 | $5760 |
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.