GEOG572 Developments in Environmental Management

Overview

Advanced study of the interaction between socio-political and biophysical dimensions of contemporary environmental issues.

About this paper

Restriction

GEOG 472

Overview

Advanced study of the interaction between socio-political and biophysical dimensions of contemporary environmental issues.

We have been "doing" formal environmental management for over 40 years. During that period, techniques and practices for environmental management have evolved to address the complex process of balancing human needs and ecosystem integrity at global and local scales. But given the worrying condition and trends of many global environmental systems, what have we accomplished? Is our approach to environmental management part of the problem? How can it be more effective? Is it worth reforming, or do we need a radical alternative? What might an alternative approach to environmental management look like? We will use questions such as these as starting points to explore environmental issues and solutions in a variety of contexts.

About this paper

Restriction

GEOG 472

Eligibility

This paper is available to students at or above 400-level (i.e. graduate-level).

Please contact Associate Professor Sean Connelly for information on the recommended background for this paper.

Contact

sean.connelly@otago.ac.nz

Teaching staff

Course Co-ordinator: Associate Professor Sean Connelly

Paper Structure

In this paper, you will be exposed to a variety of theoretical approaches to understand environmental problems and solutions in a range of contexts.

Modules have included: health and environment; people and environment; resource extraction and environment; biodiversity conservation, climate change mitigation and adaptation.

Teaching Arrangements

Two 2-hour lectures per week.

Textbooks

There is no single recommended text for this paper. Readings will be provided on the course Aoroa site. A wide range of topics will be covered via diverse literature, and you should take the opportunity to seek out relevant references on your own.

Course outline

View the course outline for GEOG 572.

Graduate Attributes Emphasised

Global perspective, Interdisciplinary perspective, Scholarship, Communication, Critical thinking, Environmental literacy, Information literacy, Research, Self-motivation, Teamwork.
View more information about Otago's graduate attributes.

Learning Outcomes

Students will achieve the following outcomes by the end of the paper:

• The ability to conduct socio-political analyses of environmental issues to understand more fully the nature of environmental concerns and debates

• The ability to critically assess key trends in environmental practices and processes

• The ability to identify and evaluate practical strategies for handling environmental concerns in New Zealand and overseas

• The ability to raise and advance innovative solutions to management problems

• The development of enhanced skills in identifying information needs, locating appropriate information sources, and using them efficiently and effectively

• The ability to work in a team, meeting personal and group responsibilities

• The development of skills that enable critical engagement with contemporary environmental management issues

Assessment details

This paper is 100% internally assessed.